Nutritional potential of some wild edible fruits of Shinyanga region, Tanzania

Wild edible fruits play a crucial role in human nutrition and cannot be disregarded due to their importance for human health. In Tanzania, particularly in the Miombo woodland of the Shinyanga region, wild edible fruits are primarily consumed by local communities. However, information on the nutritional composition of these fruits is limited. This study analyzed four selected wild edible fruits using standard procedures. Crude fat, fibre, protein, ash, moisture, and carbohydrates were determined following AOAC methods. Mineral content was determined using the method described by Allen (1989). Vitamins were determined using the method outlined by Klein and Perry (1982). ANOVA and post hoc were used for statistical test. The results show that the proximate composition, carbohydrates, and vitamin content of Tamarindus indica, Adansonia digitata, Akocanthera schimperi, and Vitex doniana exhibited the following ranges: moisture (12.68–77.90%), crude protein (3.20–12.37%), crude fat (1.14–21.40%), crude fibre (1.20–15.4%), total ash (3.60–9.30%), carbohydrates (20.78–45.64%), Vitamin B9 (2.24–12.64 mg/100g), Vitamin A (0.43–9.63 mg/100g), and Vitamin C (43.65–210.38 mg/100g). Adansonia digitata, compared to the studied fruits, was found to be an excellent source of protein with lower crude fat, while it was also high in carbohydrates and vitamins A and C. Additionally, Akocanthera schimperi, compared to the studied fruits, was rich in iron, zinc, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese, while Vitex doniana had high levels of potassium and calcium. This study indicates that the four studied fruits can be valuable for improving nutrition, particularly for malnourished populations, and their increased consumption is recommended. Further studies on their potentially harmful compounds to human health are recommended.