Abstract
This study is based on 2-year experimental results aimed at evaluating the nutritional value and pomological characteristics of wild fruits and berries from the walnut-fruit forests of southern Kyrgyzstan including apple (Malus sieversii var. kirgizorum), pear (Pyrus korshinskyi Litv.), rosehip (Rosa canina), or barberry (Berberis oblonga). Wild pear, characterised by its high level of alimentary fibres (8.76 g/100 g), offers a promising potential for industrial pectin production. Barberry features higher radical scavenging activity (antioxidant activity) as compared to Iranian and Turkish ecotypes. Among the investigated fruits and berries, barberry and rosehip represent a good source of bioactive phytochemicals due to their high phenolic, anthocyanin, vitamin C and mineral contents. Regular consumption of such wild fruits can contribute between 26 and 100% to the recommended dietary allowance of selected mineral elements (Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn) helping to combat micro-nutrient deficiency in humans.
Highlights
Food compositional data such as data on mineral, vitamin, or antioxidant content are essential for many fields including clinical practice, nutrition policy, public health, education, or for the food-manufacturing industry; with such data being used in a variety of ways including national programs for the assessment of the nutritional status of the population, the development of therapeutic and institutional diets, or for nutrition labelling of foods [1]
The wild fruits assessed in this study feature lower weights and sizes than those reported in the studies of cultivars mentioned above, most likely due to genetic variability
The comparison of various physical and chemical properties of wild fruits and berries with the respective cultivated varieties as documented in scientific literature demonstrated that wild apples (Malus sieversii var. kirgizorum) and pears (Pyrus korshinskyi Litv.) cannot compete with cultivated forms
Summary
Food compositional data such as data on mineral, vitamin, or antioxidant content are essential for many fields including clinical practice, nutrition policy, public health, education, or for the food-manufacturing industry; with such data being used in a variety of ways including national programs for the assessment of the nutritional status of the population, the development of therapeutic and institutional diets, or for nutrition labelling of foods [1]. Studies provided by The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the nutritional status of children and their mothers conducted in the Kyrgyz. Low birth weight, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies are major issues affecting the health and well-being of children in Kyrgyzstan. Fruits and berries are important sources of nutrients that should be taken into account to improve the nutritional status of a population. The species diversity and genetic polymorphism of the extensive walnut-fruit forest of Kyrgyzstan are substantial. Kirgizorum is a widespread wild apple native to the walnutfruit forests of Kyrgyzstan. Malus sieversii has been shown to be a wild relative of domesticated apple cultivars (Malus domestica) and, is a genetic resource of global importance [4]
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