Author(s)

Dovel B. Ernesto¹, Dovel B. Ernesto¹, Mary Omwamba², Mary Omwamba², Abdul K. Faraj², Abdul K. Faraj², Symon M. Mahungu², Symon M. Mahungu²

¹Agriculture Division of Instituto Superior Politécnico de Manica, Campus de Matsinho, Manica, Mozambique.
²Dairy & Food Science & Technology Department, Egerton University, Njoro Campus, Nakuru, Kenya.

Mangoes (Mangifera indica) and bananas (Musa acuminata) are climacteric fruits with a high potential for export due to their exotic aroma and sweet taste. This study aimed to characterize the physical and chemical parameters of Keitt mangoes and Cavendish bananas from different regions of Mozambique. The fruits were collected from Gaza, Manica and Nampula districts of south, central and north parts of Mozambique, respectively. The banana and mango samples were collected in Mid-August 2016 and January 2017, respectively. The fruits collected were at three different maturity stages (green, green-yellowish and yellow). The sample materials were characterised according to their centesimal composition, size, weight, firmness and colour. Analyses of soluble solids and ascorbic acid were, also, performed. The results revealed that the parameters were a good indicator of the maturity stage as well as for multivariate mango and banana applications and consumption. The parameters confirmed that mango fruits with low moisture (green with 83.62%), and fibers (0.44%), high ash (2.05%) crude lipids (0.29%), protein (0.85%) and carbohydrate (13.81%), high total soluble solids (24.60%), and high vitamin C content (14.83 mg/100g) were collected in Nampula with statistic differences (p < 0.05) between region of fruit production in Mozambique and stages of fruit maturity. However, banana fruits with low moisture (73.18%) and fibers (0.27%), high crude proteins (3.44%), ash (0.58%), and crude lipids content (4.92%), high total soluble solids (24.50%) and vitamin C content (2.40 mg/100g) were collected in Manica, where statistic differences (p < 0.05) were reported. This is the first time that Keitt mangoes and Cavendish bananas fruits have been characterized either in relation to the region of production in Mozambique or in relation to the various stages of maturity. This information can be exploited by various actors along the mango and banana value chain.

Mangifera indica, Musa acuminata, Quality, Physicochemical Characteristics, Maturity Stage, Mozambique Geographic Regions

B. Ernesto, D. , B. Ernesto, D. , Omwamba, M. , Omwamba, M. , K. Faraj, A. , K. Faraj, A. , M. Mahungu, S. and M. Mahungu, S. (2018) Physico-Chemical Characterization of Keitt Mango and Cavendish Banana Fruits Produced in Mozambique. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 9, 556-571. doi: 10.4236/fns.2018.95042.