Nutritional, Elemental and Toxicity Assessment of Three Tropical Fruits’ Pulps and Seeds

The African tropical fruits velvet tamarind, African locust beans and baobab are used as foods and for medicinal purposes, and they are important nutrient and bioactive compound sources. This research focused on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds in the fruit pulps and seeds of thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria M. Lageiro, Jaime Fernandes, Ana C. Marques, Andreia Soares, Ana M. C. Partidário, Ana R. F. Coelho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biology and Life Sciences Forum
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/40/1/22
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Summary:The African tropical fruits velvet tamarind, African locust beans and baobab are used as foods and for medicinal purposes, and they are important nutrient and bioactive compound sources. This research focused on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds in the fruit pulps and seeds of these plant species. Quantification and profiling of sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds (HPLC), soluble and insoluble fibre content analysis (enzymatic method) and elemental analysis (XRF) were performed. The total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity contents (spectrophotometry) and fatty acids quantification profiles (GC) were also accessed. Several bioactive compounds were quantified. Generally, fruit pulps are richer in sugars and organic acids, and seeds are richer in protein and fat.
ISSN:2673-9976