Nutritional Potential of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance Fruit Kernels: A Comprehensive Analysis of Macronutrient, Mineral, and Phytochemical Profiles in Burkina Faso

Humans have been using plants in traditional medicine and for food security for millions of years. Today, several plants are being studied for their nutritional and medicinal value. The aim of this study was to determine the macronutrient composition, the characteristics of the oil and the mineral and phytochemical amino acid profiles of the fruit kernels of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance collected in the Cascades region of Burkina Faso. Macronutrient composition, oil characteristics and phytochemical profile were determined using standard methods. Amino acid and mineral profiles were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) respectively. The results of the analyses revealed average levels of protein (14.5 ± 0.2 g/100g), lipids (55.5 ± 0.5 g/100g) and carbohydrates (25.2 g/100g). The average saponification, iodine, acid and peroxide values of the oils were 190.92 mg KOH/g oil, 148.11 g iodine/100 g oil, 0.24 mg KOH/g oil and 25.33 mEq of O2/kg oil. Essential amino acids (Threonine, Histidine, Isoleucine and Leucine) and non-essential amino acids (Alanine, Glycine, Arginine and Glutamic acid) were reported at varying levels. Almonds also contained ten types of minerals (B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Si, Sr and Zn), total fiber (11.10%), phytate (12.46 g/kg) and polyphenols (0.13%). Almonds contained simple sugars (mg/kg) such as D-mannopyranose (41.80), Ribose (149.27), L-Rhamnose monohydrate (70.86), Glucuronic acid (161.41), Trigalacturonic acid (19.44), α-D-glucose (608.82), α-D-galactose (253.05), Aldehydo- D-xylose (22.23), Aldehydo-L-arabinose (49.72), Fucopyranose (510.58). Fructose was not detected. This study revealed that the fruit kernels of M. polyandra are highly rich in nutrients and can be used in food fortification to combat malnutrition in Burkina Faso.