Abstract

The fruits of Cassipourea congoensis (Tunti) and Nuclea latifolia (Luzzi) were assessed chemically for the presence of mineral elements, vitamins A, B, C, E, and some antinutritional factors. Results obtained showed that C. congoensis had higher quantities of Cu, Co, Fe, Ca, Mg and Mn ( 0.25 ± 0.02, 0.52 ± 0.01, 6.70 ± 0.13, 45.00 ± 0.23, 85.00 ± 0.11 and 0.35 ± 0.12 mg/g, respectively) compare to N. latifolia (0.15 ± 0.01,0.26 ± 0.02, 1.80 ± 0.21, 42.00 ± 0.15, 70 ±  0.21 and 0.21±  0.01 mg/g, respectively). Higher amounts of Zn (0.92 ± 0.03 mg/g) and P (29.00 ±0.15 mg/g) were, however, observed in N. latifolia. Results of vitamins analysis showed that C.  congoensis had the highest levels of vitamins A (69.00 ± 4.10 mg/g), B₁(0.86 ± 0.02 mg/g), B₂ (0.94 ± 0.03 mg/g) and C (410.50 ± 0.32 mg/g), while vitamin E was higher in N. latifolia (1.18 ± 0.49 mg/g). The antinutritional results showed that oxalate, phytate and saponin were higher in C. congoensis (11.40 ±1.50, 2.57 ± 0.41 and 8.16 ± 0.4%, respectively), while tannin was highest in N. latifolia (4.62 ± 0.14). This indicates that these wild fruits can serve as good sources of vitamins and mineral elements where cultivated fruits are scarce or out of season.

Key words: Food energy, Mineral elements, Antinutritional, Cassipourea congoensis,Nuclea latiflolia.