Common wild fruits from Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria and nutritional analyses of landolphia membranacea (Stapf) pichon

Abstract

Fruits from Maesobotrya barteri, Carpolobia lutea, Dialium guineense, Hemandradenia mannii, Uvaria chamae, Cola millenii, C. heterophylla, Melastomastrum capitatum, Landolphia membranacea are reported as being commonly consumed in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria even though they are harvested only in the wild. These all are available in the planting season when the staples are not really available. Phytochemical screening of the fruits of L. membranacea showed a strong presence of flavonoids , cardiac glycosides and tannins, trace quantities of saponins and complete absence of alkaloids, anthraquinones and cyanogenic glycosides. Proximate analyses revealed moisture content of 75.5%, 8.74% of protein, 5.33% of ash, 8.33% of crude fibre, 13.95% of crude fat and 65.55% of carbohydrate. The mineral content showed that potassium was 2448.00mg/kg^-1, sodium was 100.00mg/kg^-1, magnesium was 240.00mg/kg^-1, calcium was 240.00mg/kg^-1, phosphorous was 2500.00mg/kg^-1 and iron was 129.oomg/kg^-1. The anti-nutrient composition was phytic acid (43.36mg/100g), oxalic acid (580.80mg/100g) and tannins (2.93mg/100g). This fruit is recommended for consumption, conservation and possibly further development in size and yield.