Determination of biochemical composition of Saba senegalensis (Saba fruit)

Saba senegalensis is an indigenous tree crop found in the northern regions of Ghana and parts of Africa; it is used as dessert or as condiment for dishes. This study was carried out to analyze the nutritional value of Saba senegalensis by determining proximate and biochemical composition using Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) standard methods of food analysis. The fruit recorded vitamin C content of 16.41mg/100g, and 47.2 mg/100 g of malic. It was discovered that the fruit was slightly acidic with pH of 2.24 and had a brix level of 14.1 %. Crude protein content was 8.75 % and 0.53 % for the seed and pulp respectively. The crude fat was higher in the pulp (8.92 %) than in the seed (2.14 %). The moisture content of the juice was 41.43 %, the ash content of the seed and pulp were 6.7 % and 2.8% respectively and a crude fibre of 13.52 %. The result indicated a nutritive value of 379.32 kcal/100 g with 74.23 % available carbohydrates. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were 810 ppm, 357.5 ppm and 47.5 ppm respectively. The nutritional and mineral composition of Saba senegalensis from northern Ghana is higher than some commercial fruits and is very much comparable with various wild and non-wild tropical fruits reported in literature.

Author(s): Georgina A. Boamponsem1, Frank S. Johnson1, Gustav K.Mahunu2 and Stephen F. Awiniboya

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