Variation in nutritional composition of Strychnos spinosa Lam. morphotypes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• DOI: 10.1007/s10722-024-01982-9
• Publication Date: 2024-04-23T18:01:46Z
• Authors: Zoliswa Mbhele; Godfrey Elijah Zh...; Clemente Zimudzi; Charmain Ntokozo ...; Nontuthuko Rosema...
• Keywords: Proximate

Abstract Fruits of Strychnos spinosa Lam. hold considerable food value within rural communities. However, no study has reported the nutritional profile S. morphotypes. Therefore, this is aimed to determine variation among Proximate composition was analyzed using association official analytical chemists’ methods, and minerals with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The following were ranges proximate nutrient content determined: moisture (10.29–60.50%); fat (0.95–2.67%); crude protein (2.85–9.19%); ash (4.78–18.05%); carbohydrates (37.39–42.24%); acid detergent fibre (7.94–21.75%), neutral (16.46–42.55%); calcium (0.30–35 mg/100 g); potassium (810–2510 phosphorus (9–69 sodium (7–54 magnesium (9–55 copper (0.10–2.70 iron (0.10–5.50 manganese (0.30–2.43 g) zinc (0.10–0.80 g). Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, fat, fibre, sodium, showed positive principal components. Biplot dendrogram grouped morphotypes high low independently. Carbohydrates, protein, calcium, potassium, higher than those in commercialized fruits. This species promising for domestication commercialization, thereby contributes significantly towards security.