Variability of Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruits’ physical characteristics and nutrient content in the West African Sahel

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate variability in fruit characteristics and nutritional quality of Baobab fruits with the aim of providing the background to select trees bearing fruit with desirable characteristics for further utilisation. Vitamin C, total sugar and ash contents were assessed in 178 Baobab fruit samples from 11 sites in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Furthermore the following tree and fruit physical characteristics were recorded: tree height, bark colour, fruit size, pulp weight, seed weight, seed size and pulp colour. The content (mean ± SD) of vitamin C was 4.78 ± 1.02 g kg -1 , sugar 514 ± 72 g kg -1 and fruit weight 293 ± 96 g. There was a significant correlation between annual precipitation of the tree population site and vitamin C content but not with sugar content. For sugar, there were significant positive correlations with latitude and longitude. Negative correlations were found between fruit size and both longitude and latitude with smaller fruits generally being found to the north/east. No relation was found between pulp or bark colour and the sugar or vitamin C content. The contents of protein, lipid, carbohydrates, ash and moisture in the seeds ranged from 156 to 159, 143 to 150, 641 to 652, 44 to 49 and 50 to 55.7 g kg -1 respectively.The variation for vitamin C and sugar found within populations is a first indication that valuable gains could be made by selection of superior trees.

Variability of vitamins B1, B2 and minerals content in baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves in East and West Africa

“…Indeed, utilization of the edible leaves as vegetables is important as reported elsewhere (NRC 2006, 2008; Parkouda et al. 2012). Therefore, baobab leaves could be used in food fortification to alleviate malnutrition problems related to micronutrients such as iron and zinc deficiencies.…”

“…2005; Parkouda et al. 2012). However, there are few data on the variation of the biochemical composition of baobab leaves, and much less on their age–age correlation (mother trees compared to progenies).…”

“…Indeed, investigation on the physical characteristics and nutrient content of baobab fruit from 11 populations of baobab showed a high variability in all measured parameters, within and between populations (Parkouda et al. 2012). …”

Impact of Extraction Method on Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Potential of <i>Adansonia digitata</i> Oil

“…Buchmann et al [7] reported about 300 traditional uses of baobab in Africa. The baobab fruit weighs between 150 and 350 g in Senegal, and can reach more than 496 g in Niger [9].…”

Improved management of fruit trees in West African parklands

“…Earlier studies have shown that fruit chemical composition vary between natural populations, for example in V. paradoxa (Maranz et al 2004), but generally there is little knowledge on factors controlling yield and quality of parkland fruit trees. Parkouda et al (2011) demonstrate that A. digitata fruit weight and concentrations of vitamin C and sugar vary between and within populations. The variation correlated with precipitation, latitude and longitude of the populations, indicating regional differences in the chemical composition of the fruits.…”