Assessment of Nutritional Composition of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Fruits in Northwest Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Wild and semi-wild edible fruit-bearing trees play crucial role in fulfilling food security during food shortage and daily basis in rural and urban communities in Tigray. However, information on their nutritional compositions is still lacking. Thus, the objective of study was to assess the macronutrient and mineral values of the most commonly used wild and semi-wild edible fruit trees. Methods: In total, 21 physically healthy and mature stands of wild and semi-wild plants were purposely selected (3 from each plant species). Mature and disease-free fruits were collected from each plant species. These fruits were transported in an icebox to the Ethiopian Health and Nutritional Research Institute laboratory for analysis. Result: The protein contents were higher in Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A.Rich. (8.1 ± 2.1 %) followed by Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.  (L.) Desf. (6.2 ± 1.1 %) and Vangueria edulis Vahl (6.1 ± 1.7 %) and lower in Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A.DC. (2.6 ± 0.9%) and Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. (2.7 ± 0.8 %). Crude fiber and fat had higher in Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. and Ficus vasta Forssk. while lower ash and higher moisture content was recorded in Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. and Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A.DC. respectively. Ficus vasta Forssk. fruit contain higher Iron (55.5 ± 5.3 miligram/100 gram), calcium (584.3 ±14 miligram/100gram) and copper (0.9 ± 0.1 mili gram/100 gram) while the amount of zinc was higher in Ficus vasta Forssk. (1.6 ± 0.2) and Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. (1.5 ± 0.4) fruits. The potassium and phosphorus contents were 3030.3 miligram/100 gram, 30.9 miligram/100 gram for Balanites aegyptica (L.) Del., 2704.0 miligram/100 gram, 106.6 miligram/100 gram for Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. , 2002.9 miligram/100 gram, 85.8 miligram/100 gram for Vangueria edulis Vahl, 1477.1 miligram/100 gram, 83.3 miligram/100 gram for Ficus vasta Forssk., 760.5 miligram/100 gram, 26.1 miligram/100 gram for Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A.DC., 1597.7 miligram/100 gram 104.9 miligram/100 gram for Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A.Rich. and 1127.8 miligram/100 gram, 40.4 miligram/100 gram for Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. respectively. Higher total carbohydrate content (76.8 ± 5.1 %, 65.6 ± 5 %, 64.1 ± 5.2 %, and 57.4 ± 5.3 %) and energy values (337.2 ± 8.4 kilocalori/100gram, 301.7 ± 5.4 kilocalori/100 gram, 298.4 ± 9.8 kilocalori/100gram, and 264.2 ± 6.1 kilocalori/100gram) were recorded in Balanites aegyptica (L.) Del., Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf., Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A.Rich., and Vangueria edulis Vahl respectively. Conclusion: While the nutrient composition of the Wild and semi-wild fruits is generally favorable, some minerals and vitamins may still require supplementation from other dietary sources to meet the recommended daily intakes, especially for vulnerable populations like infants, children, and pregnant/lactating women.