Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Description:
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, andVangueria 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 ofA. digitataandS. birreawere 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 forSalacia kraussii, for which it was slightly below 7. Kernels ofA. digitatacontained, on average, 39.2% protein and 38.0% fat, andS. birreakernels 32.6% protein and 60.7% fat. The collection of nutritional information may serve as a basis for increased consumption and utilization.
Print ISSN:
2356-6140
Electronic ISSN:
1537-744X
Topics:
Natural Sciences in General
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