A Study to Assess the Biochemical Composition and Nutritional Potential of Desert Date <i>Balanites</i><i> </i><i>aegyptiaca</i> Fruit Pulp of Northern Region (Korhog

<i>Balanites</i><i> </i><i>aegyptiaca</i> is a perennial tropical plant belonging to the Balanitaceae family. It is mainly used for its leaves and fruit. The fruit contains edible pulp that is an important food source for humans. Although this fruit is used by local populations for its therapeutic properties, few studies have been conducted on the nutritional potential and phytonutrients composition of the fruit pulp. The aim of this study is to contribute to the promotion of this local plant resource in the diet of populations in northern region of Côte d'Ivoire by the biochemical characterizing and determination of nutritional potential of its pulp. 200g of <i>Balanites</i><i> </i><i>aegyptiaca</i><i> </i>fruit were purchased from three markets in the city of Korhogo. The fruit was carefully sorted to remove damaged fruit, post-harvest plant debris, and other foreign matter. The fruit was then washed and drained. The different parts were separated manually into the outer layer (pericarp), pulp (mesocarp), and inner layer (endocarp). The pulp was extracted using a stainless steel knife and then ground using a blender. The moisture, fat, ash, crude fibers, protein, and carbohydrate (by difference) contents were determined using the AOAC methods. The mineral content was determined by spectrometry. Total phenolics content and total flavonoids were determined using standard spectrophotometric methods. Results of biochemical analysis show that the moisture content of fruit pulp is 36.4% and amounts of fat is 0.2%. Ash content and crude fibers content are 6% and 1.35% respectively and protein content is moderate (4.54%). Total carbohydrates are the components present in large quantities in the pulp (51.51%). The caloric intake gave a value of 226.0 Kcal/100g. The pulp of the <i>Balanites</i><i> </i><i>aegyptiaca</i> fruit is rich in minerals such as potassium (505.2 mg/100g), magnesium (3.4 mg/100g), zinc (1.6 mg/100g), sodium (14 mg/100g), and phosphorus (11.5 mg/100g). Calcium and iron are presents in low contents (< 0,14 mg/100g). The Na/K ratio obtained in this work is about 0.03. Results of phytonutrients composition of <i>Balanites</i><i> </i><i>aegyptiaca</i> fruit pulp indicate that the pulp is particularly rich in total polyphenols (21.01 mg GAE/g ± 0.27), while moderate amounts of flavonoids (3.14 mg QE/g ± 0.10).