No abstract

Study of some biochemical parameters of the seeds of the fruit of the sweet Maniguette (Aframomum alboviolaceum (ridl.) k. Schum.) harvested in the Republic of the Congo Aframomum alboviolaceum is a plant that belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae, genus Aframomum and species of A. alboviolaceum. It is wide spread across tropical Africa and represented about 50 species. Proximate analysis is usually done to determine the values of macronutrients present in plant or food sample; it gives the composition of the biomass in terms of gross components. Proximate analysis includes determination of: Ash (sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus) and other dietary minerals; moisture, proteins, fats, carbohydrate (dietary fibre, sugars, sugar alcohol, e.t.c). A. alboviolaceum (ridl.) k. schum) harvested in Republic of the Congo proximate analysis revealed the presence of lipids (10.58%); humidity (30.68%); protein (5.19%); carbohydrate (52.37% with 3.86% of dietary fibre); ash (1.18%) (Phosphorus=0.14%, Calcium=0.72%, Magnesium=0.29%, Iron=0.00%). The calculated energy value is 325.46 Kcal / 100 g.

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical characteristics (moisture, crude protein, crude lipids, ash, pH, titrable acidity, minerals and free sugars) of four popular edible fruits (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa, Aframomum alboviolaceum, Saba comorensis and Clitandra cymulosa), but less exploited. The pulp and seeds of P. edulis f. flavicarpa and A. alboviolaceum was also investigated in order to identify the nutritional quality of seeds which are by-products in juice and nectar production. The results showed that all the fruits had a high water content, which limited their conservation. The P. edulis f. flavicarpa contains significant protein content (9.42±1.56%), and the lipid content of P. edulis f. flavicarpa (11.65%) and A. alboviolaceum (10.58%) was higher than that of the other two fruits. The pulps of Saba comorensis and Clitandra cymulosa were acidic with not negligible free sugar contents. The ashes of these four fruits contained minerals such as iron, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, with the last two being the major elements. The comparative study of the seeds and pulps of P. edulis f. flavicarpa and A. alboviolaceum demonstrated the seeds nutritional quality. In view of these results, the four fruits as well as the P. edulis f. flavicarpa and A. alboviolaceum seeds could constitute an appreciable source of nutrient intake and also be valued in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.