Nutraceutical Potentiality of Fruits of Red Variety of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich) Engl. ()
ABSTRACT
The red fruits of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich) Engl. are widely consumed by the populations of
northern Congo for their sweet and tangy flavor as well as for their
characteristic smell. The objective of this study was to show the food
potential of the fruits of this plant for their valorization. Organic solvent
extracts were prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening to determine
the nutrients and phytonutrients of this fruit. Raw juice was extracted by
trituration without adding water and subjected to physicochemical and
biochemical analyses in order to determine its quality and its
antiradical activity. The raw juice obtained is moderately acidic (pH 3.28),
very cloudy and colored (turbidity of 1019 NTU). It has a dry matter content of
3.771% ± 0.013% reflecting the 70% dominance of water in the weight of the
fruit and the presence of dissolved organic matter in its juice. Energy
nutrients (sugars, amino acids), carotenoids, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids,
terpenes and sterols have been highlighted as nutrients with therapeutic
potential commonly called phytonutrients of this fruit. The juice presented a
dominance in polyphenols (134.8500 ± 0.0023 mg gallic acid/100 g) than in
carotenoids (5.100 ± 0.010 mg carotene/100 g), high levels of mineral
macroelements (calcium: 3570.00 ± 2.05 mg and potassium: 4576.00 ± 9.49 mg) and
trace elements (copper: 11.13 ± 0.10 mg, iron: 3.02 ± 0.03 mg and zinc: 2.57 ±
0.08 mg). These compounds exhibited good antioxidant activity. The presence of these nutrients and phytonutrients in these fruits is
interesting for the proper functioning of certain organs and the prevention of
certain diseases. This fruit is therefore an energizing and functional food
that can compete with conventional fruits whose juices are marketed.
Share and Cite:
Sévère-Grébel, B. , Lahat, N. , Célestine, N. , Clair, B. and Jean-Maurille, O. (2024) Nutraceutical Potentiality of Fruits of Red Variety of
Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich) Engl..
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
15, 224-234. doi:
10.4236/fns.2024.153014.
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