Nutritional Potential of Myrianthus holstii Fruit of Rwanda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Rwanda Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Myrianthus holstii fruit has been a neglected edible fruit with limited nutritional information. This study evaluated the physical
and chemical characteristics of M. holstii fruit of Rwanda. The physical parameters including fruit weight, fruit size, pulp content,
seed weight and seed size are reported. The fruit pulp that is acidic pH (3.38±0.04) contained; protein (8.03±0.95 g/100g),
dietary fibre (25.64±0.06 g/100g), vitamin C (19.80±2.13 mg/100g), beta carotene (0.99 mg/100g), iron (16.262±0.576
mg/100g), zinc (2.327±0.034 mg/100g) and copper (0.573±0.011 mg/100g). Assessment of these nutrient contribution to the
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) showed 100g of pulp can meet 42%, 103%, 79%, 233%, 163%, 49% and 143% for
children (4-8-year-old); and 18%, 103%, 22%, 133%, 90%, 29%, and 63% for adults (19-50years) respectively. The seeds had an
oil yield of 37.67±1.53% with omega 6 fatty acid (78.92) being the most dominant. The total unsaturation in the oil was 90.91%
with 78.92% poly unsaturated fatty acids. Based on the nutritional information, M. holstii can be a good source of beta carotene
(vitamin A), iron, zinc and omega 6 fats that are essential in nutrition and health. Therefore, the fruit should be promoted for
consumption as a snack and also processed into food products like fruit juice, wine, jelly, jam and vegetable oil to enhance the
nutrition, health and income of households.
Description
Keywords
Myrianthus holstii, fruit, nutritional composition, bioactive
Citation
Omujal, F., Okullo, J. B. L., Bigirimana, C., Isubikalu, P., Agea, J. G., & Bizuru, E. (2020). Nutritional potential of Myrianthus holstii fruit of Rwanda. Rwanda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2(1), 86-96.