Abstract
In this study, proximate composition, physical characteristics and mineral content of fruit, pulp and seeds of Parinari curatellifolia (Maula) fruits from Bunda forests in Central Malawi were determined. Proximate composition included crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber, while physical characteristics included mass, length, thickness of whole fruit and kernels and minerals included potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron and phosphorus. Total carbohydrate contents were also determined. All the results have been presented on dry matter basis. Results on crude protein ranged from 3.9±0.03 to 15.61±0.05% with pulp registering the lowest values (P<0.05) while the highest values were registered in kernels. Results on crude fat revealed that kernels had the highest values (46.05±0.19%) compared to values obtained in pulp or a mixture of pulp and peels while for crude fiber, the highest values (21.39±0.28%) were obtained in whole fruit. Furthermore, results on ash content showed that the highest values (5.71±0.25 %) were obtained in fruit peels while the lowest values (1.58±0.15 %) were registered in whole fruit. Lastly, results on carbohydrate content revealed that the highest values (84.95±0.14%) were obtained in the pulp while the lowest values (34.34±0.21%) were registered in kernels. The findings from this study have shown that there are significant differences in nutrient and mineral composition in the whole fruit, seeds and pulp of P. curatellifolia from Central Malawi and therefore these findings can be useful in nutritional planning regarding consumption of the P. curatellifolia fruit. Key words: Maula (Parinari curatellifolia), indigenous fruits, kernels, minerals, crude protein, nutrition, Bunda forest.
Highlights
Global human population is estimated to reach 9.6 billion by 2050 and 10.9 billion by 2100 respectively
The pulp proportion obtained in this study was lower than 51.1, 48.9 and 50.1% for P. curatellifolia fruit obtained from Amby, Waterfalls and Acadia in Zimbabwe respectively as reported by Benhura et al (2013)
The kernels from this study weighed less than 14000±3000, 21000±4000 and 23000±3000 mg for P. curatellifolia kernels when compared with kernels from Amby, Waterfalls and Acadia in Zimbabwe respectively (Benhura et al, 2013)
Summary
Global human population is estimated to reach 9.6 billion by 2050 and 10.9 billion by 2100 respectively. It is expected that the population would rise to 8.2 billion by 2050 reaching 9.6 billion by the 21st. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) population growth, Malawi inclusive, is expected to increase by 1.2% annually by 2050 triggering urbanization and improved individual income (UNPFA, 2008; Thornton, 2010; Théwis and Galiş, 2012). Global surface temperature has been estimated to increase between 1.8 and 4.08°C by 21st century (IPCC, 2007a, b). Like in SSA, temperature changes have been projected to be 1 to 2.8°C with crop productivity in tropics and subtropics dropping by 10 to 20% by 2050 (Jones and Thornton, 2003) creating food insecurity because of dependence on rain-fed agriculture (IPCC, 2007a)
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