Proximate and Nutritional Composition of Bush Cherry Maesobotrya barteri (Baill Hutch) Fruit Types

Abstract

Bush Cherry (Maesobotrya barteri (Baill) Hutch) is an indigenous woody fruit species with potential nutritional value. This study evaluated the proximate, mineral and vitamin composition of two fruit types, white and red, collected from natural forests in selected communities across Imo, Abia and Anambra States, South-eastern Nigeria. Fresh fruits were separated into pulp and seeds and analysed for proximate constituents, selected minerals and vitamins. The white fruit-type pulp and seed contained 68.90% and 64.01% carbohydrate, respectively, compared with 56.87% and 54.56% in the corresponding red fruit-type fractions. Seeds contained higher fat and protein levels than the pulps, whereas the pulps contained higher fibre levels. Phosphorus concentrations in the white and red fruit-type pulps were 312.10 mg/100 g and 307.01 mg/100 g, respectively. Vitamin C concentrations were 351.40 mg/100 g in the white fruit-type pulp and 379.15 mg/100 g in the red fruit-type pulp. Selenium was detected in the pulps but not in the seeds, while vitamin E was not detected in the pulps but was present in the seeds. The findings demonstrate compositional variation between fruit types and fruit fractions and provide baseline data for further evaluation of M. barteri in relation to nutritional utilisation, selection, improvement and domestication. Additional replicated studies are required before broad dietary or processing recommendations are made.