Evaluation of Chemical Composition, Physicochemical and Anti-nutritional Properties of Giant Yellow Mulberry Fruit (Myrianthus arboreus)
Neola Etame Ekaney Ntube
Department of Nutrition, Food and Bioresource Technology, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, P.O Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
Bernard Tiencheu *
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
Romelle Feumba Dibanda
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
Ferdinand Lanvin Edoun Eboue
Food and Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant studies, P.O Box 13033, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Fabrice Tonfack Djikeng
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
Carl Mbofung Moses
Department of Nutrition, Food and Bioresource Technology, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, P.O Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
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.
Keywords: Myrianthus arboreus fruit, chemical composition, antinutrients, physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile