Evaluation of Chemical Composition, Physicochemical and Anti-nutritional Properties of Giant Yellow Mulberry Fruit (Myrianthus arboreus)

Abstract

The study aimed at evaluating the nutritional value of the pulp and seeds of the giant mulberry (Myrianthus arboreus) fruit, and determine the physicochemical properties of its seed oil. Using the complete randomized design, mature ripe fruits of the fruits were harvested from Fontem, South west region, Cameroon and analyzed at the life science laboratory of the University of Buea following standard procedures. Results revealed the proximate composition of the pulps and seeds were 5.03% and 28.06% for carbohydrates, 17.22% and 24.40% for proteins, 6.50% and 42.05% for lipids respectively. Antinutritional analyses revealed moderately low content of phytate, tannin and oxalate. The oil quality indices demonstrated acceptable values for acid, saponification value, iodine, peroxide and P-anisidine. Fatty acid profiling showed that the oil was 45.06% saturated and 54.94% unsaturated fatty acids accounts. These findings suggest that M. arboreus fruit as potentials as a nutritious food source with health benefits.