Survey and Chemo-physiological Assessment of Biochemical Preservatives and Physicochemical Properties of plants used for preservation of fruits

Abstract

The rate at which agricultural produce such as fruits are being infected by pests or spoilt as a results of lack of appropriate natural preservatives posed threat to food security and safety in many communities of Ogun State. However, there is need for study that can evaluate natural preservatives and physicochemical properties of some plants. In the present study, survey of indigenous plants commonly used for preservation of fruits was conducted using one hundred structured questionnaires randomly administered on fruit-sellers to elicit information on spoilage as threat affecting sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Also, biochemical constituents and physicochemical properties in the leaves of most plants used for fruits preservation were determined using standard procedure. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Nauclea latifolia, Chromolaena odorata, Psidium guajava, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Aloe vera were the plants commonly used for preservation of fruits in the study area. Fruit spoilage (84.0%) was the major threat affecting the sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Saponin (0.68±0.03 mg/100g) and terpenoid (0.22±0.08 mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in A. indica leaves as well as alkaloid (16.49±0.01 mg/100 g) in M. oleifera leaves. Also, phenol (0.41±0.02 mg/100g) and flavonoid (0.71±0.09mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C. odorata and A. vera leaves. Phytate (0.35±0.01 mg/100 g) and oxalate (0.32±0.03 mg/100 g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the leaves of C. odorata. Furthermore, specific gravity of M. oleifera leaves (0.98±0.05) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with leaves of other plants. Iodine value (81.65±0.03 mg/100 g) and acid value (22.72±0.07) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Aloe vera leaves. The study revealed that spoilage was the major challenge facing the sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Also, leaves of the plants contained high proportions of natural preservatives and physicochemical properties. Spoilage was the major challenge facing the sales of fruits, however, leaves of the plants contained high amount of preservative and physicochemical parameters that could be adopted for preservation of fruits.