Nutritional Characterization of Strychnos madagascariensis Fruit Flour Produced by Mozambican Communities and Evaluation of Its Contribution to Nutrient Adequacy

Abstract

The indigenous fruit Strychnos madagascariensis is usually processed to flour, called nfuma, being highly consumed during staple food shortage. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition of nfuma and its nutrient adequacy. Flours from four districts of Mozambique were analyzed using AOAC methods for proximate composition, HPLC for sugar, amino acids (AA), vitamin E and carotenoids and ICP-MS and FAAS for minerals. The results showed that nfuma stands out for its high content of fat (26.3–27.8%), mainly oleic acid, fiber (>6%), vitamin E (6.7 to 8.0 mg/100 g) and carotenes (2.2 to 2.6 mg/100 g). The main amino acids of nfuma protein were Arg, Asp and Glu, and Lys was the limiting one. The mineral composition reveals K (~1200 to 1700 mg/100 g) as the main macromineral followed by Mg > Ca > Na. The main trace element was Mn (~4 mg/100 g) followed by Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Co. Aluminum (~3 mg/100 g) was the main non-essential element and Rb, Ni, Sr, Ba, V, Cd were also quantified. Assuming the daily consumption of 50 g, nfuma provides 82% of Vitamin A dietary reference value for toddlers, while the consumption of 100 g contributes to 132% and 60% of Mn and vitamin A DRV for adults, respectively. Despite the nutritional advantages of nfuma, this flour can be a source of Ni, highlighting the importance of the study of good practices in its preparation to decrease the exposure to non-essential elements.

Diversifying agrifood systems to ensure global food security following the Russia–Ukraine crisis

“…Domesticating indigenous fruit tree species (IFTs), and herbaceous species within the broad traditional foods and medicinal plants can also be a good option to diversify food markets (Leakey, 2014;Leakey et al, 2022). We can achieve this by extending the food market and value chain to include nutrientdense foods that fall under the radar of public attention, including neglected and underutilized species (NUS) and indigenous fruit tree species, such as Strychnos madagascariensis (fruit processed as flour) from Africa countries (Chemane et al, 2022) and Garcinia andamanica King (fruit suitable as a food additive) from Andaman Islands, India (Bohra et al, 2021). To increase the marketability of these alternative foods, attention should be drawn toward strengthening independent local and regional food systems.…”

Trace Elements as Contaminants and Nutrients

“…The benefits of trace elements but also their impact as potential toxicants in the food sector was the topic chosen for this Special Issue of the Foods journal, entitled "Trace Elements as Contaminants and Nutrients". It comprises seven research papers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and one review article [8], addressing precisely those two main topics: trace elements as contaminants and trace elements as nutrients.…”

“…The nutritional composition of nfuma, a traditional flour obtained from the fruits of Strychnos madagascariensis (a tree from tropical and sub-tropical Africa), as prepared by populations in Mozambique, was evaluated by Chemane et al [2]. The authors determined the content of sugar, amino acids, vitamin E, carotenoids, macrominerals (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and a wide panel of trace elements (Fe, Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi) in nfuma from four districts of Mozambique, and evaluated its nutritional adequacy, according to current nutritional recommendations.…”