Uapaca kirkiana, an indigenous fruit tree in sub-Saharan Africa: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Uapaca kirkiana is an indigenous fruit tree that grows in hot and dry areas in sub-Saharan Africa. The tree tolerates dry conditions, high temperatures and acts as a food source for people that live in drier conditions were exotic fruit trees can hardly survive. The tree produced fruits that are rich in essential minerals and has a potential to act as a source of vitamin C. Ripe fruits are eaten raw and mostly sold at local and roadside markets with no processing. Traditionally the fruit can be processed into various products which include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and traditional cakes. The fruit has a potential to improve nutritional status, food security, and livelihoods of rural dwellers especially in arid and semi-arid areas. However, the contribution of the fruit to human nutrition is often not recognised. The fruit, like most indigenous fruits, has limited and out-dated data on nutrient composition. Indigenous knowledge on handling and uses of the fruit needs to be upgraded. This review attempts to contribute to this effort by evaluating the existing evidence on its nutritional potential, functional and bioactive properties, Armistice Chawafambira

Probiotic Potential, Iron and Zinc Bioaccessibility, and Sensory Quality of Uapaca kirkiana Fruit Jam Fermented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Yoba

“…U. kirkiana fruits are sold on the roadside and informal and formal markets to generate income. This observation was supported by Chawafambira et al [ 4 ].…”

“…The sample areas, Gokwe and Bikita, are farming communities in the semiarid and hot agroecological region of Zimbabwe. The U. kirkiana tree is well adapted to hot, dry areas [ 4 ]. Table 1 shows the importance of the U. kirkiana fruit tree as a food resource for the rural population in relation to other indigenous fruit trees (IFTs).…”

“…Mineral deficiency is prevalent in most rural and urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Chawafambira et al [ 4 ] reported that the U. kirkiana fruit is a good source of iron (11.8 mg/100 g), calcium (17 mg/100 g), potassium (375 mg/100 g), magnesium (39 mg/100 g), and phosphorus (15 mg/100 g). The high carbohydrate content makes the jam a good energy providing food.…”

“…The Uapaca kirkiana fruit tree is an underutilised indigenous fruit tree (IFT) that is well-adapted to the miombo ecological zone in sub-Saharan Africa [ 3 ]. The U. kirkiana tree is distributed in semidry and hot areas although it can grow in some relatively wet regions of Zimbabwe [ 4 ]. The tree produces fruits which ripen from October to February.…”

“…The U. kirkiana fruit is a good source of sugar, energy, and essential minerals [ 5 – 7 ]. Chawafambira et al [ 4 ] reported that the fruit pulp contains Fe (11.8 mg/100 g FW), Zn (1.3 mg/100 g FW), Ca (17 mg/100 g FW), Mg (39 mg/100 g FW), and K (375 mg/100 g FW). Furthermore, Stadlmayr et al [ 8 ] reported the proximate composition of the fruit as water (72.6 g/100 g), carbohydrates (28.7 g/100 g), proteins (0.5 g/100 g), fat (0.4 g/100 g), calories (523 kcal/kJ), ash (1.1 g/100 g), fiber (2.3 g/100 g), and vitamin C (16.8 mg/100 g).…”