Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
woodland trees and shrub fruits to supplement their diet, especially during
times of crop failure. Studies in areas susceptible to drought, such as Swaziland,
demonstrate the importance of edible indigenous fruits as a source of food
(Grivetti, 1979; Grivetti et al ., 1987; Humpry et al ., 1993; Smith et al ., 1995,
1996; Nordeide et al ., 1996).
Nutrition studies have not seriously considered the role of wild plants in
local diets. Reports by several workers, such as Saka and Msonthi (1994) and
Ndabikunze et al . (2000) have shown that wild plants contain high levels of
nutrients which are important to infants and children, pregnant and lactating
women, the elderly, HIV-infected people and indigenous societies. The nutritive
value of indigenous fruits is therefore an important criterion for fruit tree
improvement for rural community dwellers. The consumption of these fruits
can help to combat malnutrition resulting from major deficiencies of vitamins A
and C and essential amino acids, as well as minerals such as iron and zinc
(Thiong'o et al ., 2002). For over 30 years, chemists and nutritionists depended
on nutritive value data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations, most of which was largely restricted to South Africa and
Eastern Africa (FAO, 1989). The southern African region has now generated
data on nutritive value for various indigenous fruits in their fresh and processed
forms. This section provides data on fresh and processed fruit products.
16.4.1 Nutritional value of fresh pulp and seed kernels of indigenous fruits
Concerted efforts by scientists in Malawi and Tanzania since the mid-1980s have
generated nutritional data for indigenous fruits (Saka et al ., 1992; Saka, 1994;
Ndabikunze et al ., 2000; E.M.T. Henry and J.D.K. Saka, unpublished results).
The results for 16 fruits growing in Malawi show that Annona senegalensis and
Trichilia emetica are rich in protein, while Flacourtia indica and Syzygium
guineense are rich sources of iron (Saka and Msonthi, 1994). A summary of the
compositions of 12 fruits growing in both Tanzania and Malawi is provided in
Table 16.4. The data reveal that most fresh fruits are important sources of
carbohydrates and thus have high calorific values. The highest (88.2%) and
lowest (35.2%) levels were obtained for Parinari curatellifolia and Azanza
garckeana , respectively. The protein content of edible portions ranged from
0.02% in Azanza garckeana to 17% in Uapaca kirkiana . The variation in fat
content was also evident: three fruit species, Uapaca kirkiana , Vitex mombassae
and Syzygium guineense , had >17% fat, while the rest had low levels. These
data show the variation in nutrient composition among indigenous fruits.
The
-carotene levels varied from 21
g/100 g in Adansonia digitata to
357
g/100 g in P. curatellifolia (Table 16.5). Flacourtia indica also had very
high level (303
-Carotene is of prime importance in vision, the
maintenance of epithelial surfaces and also serves as an antioxidant. The total
soluble solids values of indigenous fruits compare favourably with those of
conventional exotic fruits (e.g. mangoes), indicating the potential of indigenous
fruits for the fresh fruit market and for processing into products such as juices
and jams. The vitamin C levels of the edible pulp of the fruit and the seed
g/100 g).
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