Proximate Analysis of Five Wild Fruits of Mozambique

Telma Magaia,Ingegerd Sjöholm,Amália Uamusse,Kerstin Skog

doi:10.1155/2013/601435

Telma Magaia, Ingegerd Sjöholm + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/601435

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Abstract

Mozambique is rich in wild fruit trees, most of which produce fleshy fruits commonly consumed in rural communities, especially during dry seasons. However, information on their content of macronutrients is scarce. Five wild fruit species (Adansonia digitata, Landolphia kirkii, Sclerocarya birrea, Salacia kraussii, and Vangueria infausta) from different districts in Mozambique were selected for the study. The contents of dry matter, fat, protein, ash, sugars, pH, and titratable acidity were determined in the fruit pulps. Also kernels of A. digitata and S. birrea were included in the study. The protein content in the pulp was below 5 g/100 g of dry matter, but a daily intake of 100 g fresh wild fruits would provide up to 11% of the recommended daily intake for children from 4 to 8 years old. The sugar content varied between 2.3% and 14.4% fresh weight. The pH was below 3, except for Salacia kraussii, for which it was slightly below 7. Kernels of A. digitata contained, on average, 39.2% protein and 38.0% fat, and S. birrea kernels 32.6% protein and 60.7% fat. The collection of nutritional information may serve as a basis for increased consumption and utilization.

Highlights

In Mozambique, a large number of wild food plants are widely distributed throughout the country
There are some reports on the chemical composition of wild fruits from Southern African regions [5,6,7,8,9], but the literature data on the nutritional value of wild fruits in Mozambique is limited [4, 10]
People in many communities are not aware of the nutritional value of the fruits; for example, they often eat only the pulp of the fruits Sclerocarya birrea and Adansonia digitata while discarding the seeds, which contain a kernel with a higher protein and fat content than peanuts [1, 11]

Summary

Introduction

In Mozambique, a large number of wild food plants are widely distributed throughout the country. The importance of wild fruits in the diet depends to a large extent on the availability of the fruits, since cultivated fruit trees are not common in the dry regions of the country. Many wild fruits and nuts are good sources of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that may be deficient in common diets [5]. People in many communities are not aware of the nutritional value of the fruits; for example, they often eat only the pulp of the fruits Sclerocarya birrea and Adansonia digitata while discarding the seeds, which contain a kernel with a higher protein and fat content than peanuts [1, 11]

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