Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Activity and Ethnobotanical Uses of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Fruits from the Arid Zone of Mauritania, Northwest Africa

Abstract

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of fruits of 30 B. aegyptiaca trees naturally growing in the hyper-arid and arid zones in Mauritania were evaluated by following standard procedures. Ethnobotanical uses of fruit pulps and kernel were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Balanites aegyptiaca fruit pulp is a good source of sugars (33 g/100 g dry matter (DM)), polyphenols (264 mg GAE/100 g DM) and flavonoids (34.2 mg/100 g DM) with an average antioxidant activity of 519 µmol TEAC/100 g DM. The fruit kernel is rich in lipids (46.2 g/100 g DM) and proteins (29.5 g/100 g DM). Fruits from the hyper-arid zone exhibited high level of polyphenols, antioxidant activity and soluble tannins. Almost all of the informants (97.14%) reported the use of fruit pulp in folk medicine to treat diabetes, while 72.86% reported using the fruit pulp to treat hypertension. Kernel oil is mainly employed as ointments in the treatment of paronychia (57.14%) and dermal infections (35.71%). The predominant methods for preparing/administering fruit pulp/Kernel were maceration (58.8%), sucking fruit pulp (25.7%) and decoction (24.2%). Balanites aegyptiaca fruit contain both nutritional and health-promoting phytochemicals that could be of interest in the development of strategies for sustainable use of this neglected indigenous fruit tree.

Comparison of heglig ( Balanites aegyptiaca ) fruit parts in terms of bioactive properties, phenolic component, and mineral content

“…Abdelaziz et al. (2020) determined 5.41%–30.1% moisture in fruits of 30 desert date fruit trees. Sagna et al.…”

“…(2020) reported that amount of polyphenols of the heglig (desert date fruit) fruit kernels was measured between 47.8 and 117.5 mg/100 g. Abdelaziz et al. (2020) determined 173–429 mg GAE/100 g total phenol, 14.7–63.2 mg QE/100 g DM, and 220–800 µmol TEAC/100 g DM in fruits of 30 B. aegyptiaca trees. Total phenol and antioxidant activity values of B. aegyptiaca fruit pulp changed between 222.5–396 mg GAE/100 g and 340–750 µmol TEAC/100 g DM, respectively (Abdelaziz et al., 2020).…”

“…B. aegyptiaca seed oil containing high‐quality edible oil has been reported to have numerous medicinal properties (Adebayo et al., 2012; Hanan et al., 2009). The heglig (laloub) fruit, which can be eaten fresh and dried, contains 72% carbohydrates, plus crude protein, bioactive compounds, and minerals (Abdelaziz et al., 2020; Cook et al., 1998; Elfeel, 2010). Abdulrazak et al.…”

Phytochemical Analysis of the Desert Date Balanites aegyptiaca

“…Principal component analysis was used with the metabolomic data and also some morphological data such as fruit weight, length and width. PCA showed significant difference in the metabolites content and antioxidant activity among the trees of different regions (Abdelaziz et al, 2020). It was reported that B. aegyptiaca different parts have many bioactive metabolites such as saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids which have significant roles in the potentiality of B. aegyptiaca as traditional medicine as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, antihelminthic, anticancer agent (Al-Thobaiti & Abu Zeid, 2018).…”

“…B. aegyptiaca in Niger showed phenotypic variation in fruits and morphological difference in seeds (Abasse et al, 2011). The phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of fruits of thirty individual trees in Mauritania were evaluated showing difference in phytochemical composition of the naturally growing trees (Abdelaziz et al, 2020). The effect of ecological origin and provenance on the primary and secondary metabolites distribution in leaves of B. aegyptiaca was assessed.…”