Nutritional value of edible fruits of indigenous wild trees in Malawi

Saka, John D.K.; Msonthi, Jerôme D.

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(94)90298-4

Cited by 126 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The dry matter content of A. digitata pulp was very high, on average 88.5%, while for the other fruits, it varied between 16.7% and 34.8%. The high dry matter content of A. digitata was in the same range as has been reported in studies in other countries, 85–95% [5, 7, 8, 14–18]. There is little literature data on the dry matter content of the other fruits, and for S. birrea our data agree with one report [7], while one report is showing a lower value [8].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…There is little literature data on the dry matter content of the other fruits, and for S. birrea our data agree with one report [7], while one report is showing a lower value [8]. For V. infausta our results are somewhat higher than reported in fruits from Malawi [5], Botswana [8], and Tanzania [17]. For L. kirkii , the dry matter content was comparable with the literature data [1].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Many wild fruits and nuts are good sources of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that may be deficient in common diets [5]. There are some reports on the chemical composition of wild fruits from Southern African regions [5–9], but the literature data on the nutritional value of wild fruits in Mozambique is limited [4, 10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are some reports on the chemical composition of wild fruits from Southern African regions [5–9], but the literature data on the nutritional value of wild fruits in Mozambique is limited [4, 10]. People in many communities are not aware of the nutritional value of the fruits; for example, they often eat only the pulp of the fruits Sclerocarya birrea and Adansonia digitata while discarding the seeds, which contain a kernel with a higher protein and fat content than peanuts [1, 11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Proximate Analysis of Five Wild Fruits of Mozambique

Magaia

Uamusse

Sjöholm³

et al. 2013

The Scientific World Journal

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Mozambique is rich in wild fruit trees, most of which produce fleshy fruits commonly consumed in rural communities, especially during dry seasons. However, information on their content of macronutrients is scarce. Five wild fruit species (Adansonia digitata, Landolphia kirkii, Sclerocarya birrea, Salacia kraussii, and Vangueria infausta) from different districts in Mozambique were selected for the study. The contents of dry matter, fat, protein, ash, sugars, pH, and titratable acidity were determined in the fruit pulps. Also kernels of A. digitata and S. birrea were included in the study. The protein content in the pulp was below 5 g/100 g of dry matter, but a daily intake of 100 g fresh wild fruits would provide up to 11% of the recommended daily intake for children from 4 to 8 years old. The sugar content varied between 2.3% and 14.4% fresh weight. The pH was below 3, except for Salacia kraussii, for which it was slightly below 7. Kernels of A. digitata contained, on average, 39.2% protein and 38.0% fat, and S. birrea kernels 32.6% protein and 60.7% fat. The collection of nutritional information may serve as a basis for increased consumption and utilization.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Proximate Analysis of Five Wild Fruits of Mozambique

Magaia

Uamusse

Sjöholm³

et al. 2013

The Scientific World Journal

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“…Farmers indicated that P. curatellifolia was more important in times of drought than U. kirkiana. P. curatellifolia is one of the most carbohydrate-rich indigenous fruits in the Miombo woodlands (Kalenga Saka and Msonthi 1994). Farmers explained that P. curatellifolia could be processed into porridge and a drink, as well as consumed directly (Kalaba et al 2009), although the fruit of U. kirkiana was preferred for its taste.…”

Section: Valuation and Consumption Of Ntfpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Woodland Products to Cope with Climate Variability in Communal Areas in Zimbabwe

Woittiez¹,

Rufino²,

Mapfumo³

2013

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Common lands provide smallholder farmers in Africa with firewood, timber, and feed for livestock, and they are used to complement human diets through the collection of edible nontimber forest products (NTFPs). Farmers have developed coping mechanisms, which they deploy at times of climatic shocks. We aimed to analyze the importance of NTFPs in times of drought and to identify options that could increase the capacity to adapt to climate change. We used participatory techniques, livelihood analysis, observations, and measurements to quantify the use of NTFPs. Communities recognized NTFPs as a mechanism to cope with crop failure. We estimated that indigenous fruits contributed to approximately 20% of the energy intake of wealthier farmers and to approximately 40% of the energy intake of poor farmers in years of inadequate rainfall. Farmers needed to invest a considerable share of their time to collect wild fruits from deforested areas. They recognized that the effectiveness of NTFPs as an adaptation option had become threatened by severe deforestation and by illegal harvesting of fruits by urban traders. Farmers indicated the need to plan future land use to (1) intensify crop production, (2) cultivate trees for firewood, (3) keep orchards of indigenous fruit trees, and (4) improve the quality of grazing lands. Farmers were willing to cultivate trees and to organize communal conservation of indigenous fruits trees. Through participatory exercises, farmers elaborated maps, which were used during land use discussions. The process led to prioritization of pressing land use problems and identification of the support needed: fast-growing trees for firewood, inputs for crop production, knowledge on the cultivation of indigenous fruit trees, and clear regulations and compliance with rules for extraction of NTFPs. Important issues that remain to be addressed are best practices for regeneration and conservation, access rules and implementation, and the understanding and management of competing claims on the common lands. Well-managed communal resources can provide a strong tool to maintain and increase the rural communities' ability to cope with an increasingly variable climate.

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