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Biochemical Study and Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Solanum torvum (Swartz) Fruits Used as Fruiting Vegetables in Togo

Mamatchi Melila1,, Bayi Reine Dossou2, Kodjo Djidjolé Etse1, Firmin Sika3, Koffi Batchazi4, Essodjolon Kanabiya1, Laurance Adjo Amegah5, Koffi Gilbert Lakpo1, Koami Ameyran1, Kou’Santa Amouzou1

1Faculty of Sciences (FDS), University of Lome, 01Post Box 1515 Lome 01, Togo

2Higher School of Biological and Food Techniques (ESTBA), University of Lome, 01Post Box 1515 Lome 01, Togo

3Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Lome, 01Post Box 1515 Lome 01, Togo

4Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA) 01 Post Box 1163 Agoè-Cacavéli, Togo

5Higher School of Agronomy (ESA), University of Lome, 01Post Box 1515 Lome 01, Togo

Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2021, 9(11), 579-584. DOI: 10.12691/jfnr-9-11-4
Received September 27, 2021; Revised November 02, 2021; Accepted November 08, 2021

Abstract

The fruits of Solanum torvum are used as fruiting vegetables and in traditional medicine in Togo, to treat anemia and several infectious diseases. However, no study has been conducted on its nutritional potential in Togo. The present study aims to valorize this species through its biochemical compounds in the interest of food security. The contents of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, mineral salts and vitamin C of the fruits of Solanum torvum have been thus evaluated by the usual methods of AOAC. The contents in biochemical compounds have been of 71.42 ± 0.52% for total carbohydrates, 16.49 ± 0.47% for proteins, 7.71 ± 0.19% for lipids, 4.65 ± 0.46% for ash, 2.44 ± 0.36% for vitamin C and 421 ± 2.01% for metabolizable energy. The spectrophotometric analyses revealed the presence of minerals such as Na, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn and Fe at interesting levels with Na/K ˂ 1, Ca/P > 1 and Ca/Mg > 1 in the analyzed Solanum torvum fruits. The results thus indicated that the fruits of S. torvum have an appreciable nutritional value similar to that of vegetables and legumes that enter the human diet daily. These fruits would thus contribute to the fight against nutrient deficiencies. The valorization of this pharmaco-nutritional plant in human food is therefore of interest.

Keywords:

Solanum torvum, fruits, biochemical composition, nutritional value, Togo
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