Proximate and Major Minerals Components of the Edible Pulp of <i>Momordica charantia</i> Fruit

Abstract

Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), is a plant commonly used in traditional medicine in Senegal whose fruits are weakly consumed by the population. However, no data exists on the nutritional intake of the latter. This work aims to determine the physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of the pulp of Momordica charantia. The study focused on two lots of fruits from two geographically different regions of Senegal (Dakar and Fatick). The biochemical analyses of the pulp showed average values of protein from 2.39 ± 0.01 g/100 g to 3.19 ± 0.01 g/100 g; reducing sugar from 4.22 ± 0.10 g/100 g to 3.55 ± 0.10 g/100 g; totals sugar from 4.43 ± 0.02 g/100 g to 3.38 ± 0.58 g/100 g. The average contents of polyphenol and flavonoids were respectively from 1.91 ± 0.04 g/100 g to 1.04 ± 0.09 g/100 g and 32.59 ± 0.04 mg/100 g and 20.75 ± 1.19 mg/100 g. According to these results, the fruit of M. charantia may be considered as rich in antioxidant. At the opposite, it is very weak in mineral elements, such as calcium and potassium (1.01 mg/100 g; 3.38 mg/100 g). Meanwhile, the seeds content 24% of lipids. Thus, investigations should be done on its biological proprieties, physical and biochemical components.