The document analyzes the nutritional profile of shea fruit pulp from Nigeria. It finds that the pulp has carbohydrate levels between 29.3-46.3%, protein from 2.6-7.0%, and energy ranging from 158.3-209.2 calories per 100 grams. Mineral analyses found potassium levels from 136-419.4 mg/100g and positive correlations between iron and zinc, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Overall, the study concludes the nutritional values of shea fruit pulp are comparable to major crops and capable of meeting dietary needs of consumers.
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Nutrition Profile of Shea Fruit Pulp from Nigeria
1. NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
OF SHEA FRUIT PULP
FROM NIGERIA
F.D UGESEI, K. P. BAIYERI2 & B.N.
MBAH2
1 Department of Crop Production, University of Agriculture, Makurdi,
Nigeria
2 Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
2. INTRODUCTION
The shea tree occurs abundantly
across Nigeria’s savanna zone
Major zones are the southern guinea-,
northern guinea- and the sudan
savanna
Different parts of the tree are useful
Fruit pulp is edible and ripens at a
very critical time of the year
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Nutritional content of fruit pulp
not adequately explored
Possible relationships among
nutritional traits unknown
The above could undermine
domestication efforts
4. OBJECTIVES
Determine proximate traits of
Nigerian shea fruit pulp
Ascertain elemental nutrient
composition of the fruit pulp
Observe possible relationships
among nutritional parameters
5. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fruit pulps collected across 7 locations
in 3 agroecological zones
Locations: Lokoja, Makurdi, Akwanga,
Kachia, Jalingo, Yola, Kano
15-25 trees were sampled in each zone
Milled oven dry samples subjected to
laboratory analyses using standard
methods
9. Table 2. Elemental nutrient composition (mg/100g) of shea fruit pulp
sourced from seven locations in Nigeria
Accession Na P K Ca Mg Fe Zn
Lokoja 45.0 94.0 147.0 1.4 50.2 20.8 1.9
Makurdi 18.0 36.9 588.0 4.9 56.7 13.7 2.3
Akwanga 18.1 78.4 590.0 1.5 49.5 12.2 1.8
Kachia 17.9 51.7 295.0 ND 75.2 ND ND
Jalingo 9.0 101.4 589.0 2.2 53.8 4.7 1.5
Yola 9.3 55.4 591.0 0.6 44.9 15.2 1.2
17.9 82.1 136.0 4.4 107.2 25.9 2.4
Mean 19.3 71.4 419.4 2.5 62.5 15.4 1.9
LSD(0.05) 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.2
ND – Not determined (due to limitation of sample)
10. Table 3. Correlation coefficients between mineral content of shea fruit
pulp from the savanna zone of Nigeria.
Na P K Ca Mg Fe Zn
Zn 0.321 -0.159 0.380 0.838** 0.650** 0.539* -
Fe 0.500* -0.051 0.716** 0.256 0.627** -
Mg -0.068 0.025 0.338 0.630** -
Ca -0.092 -0.322 0.110 -
K 0.679** 0.532* -
P 0.278 -
Na -
*, ** - Correlation coefficients are significant at the 5% and 1% levels of
probability, respectively.
12. CONCLUSION
Nutritional values compare favourably with
those of main line agricultural species
Shea fruit pulp nutrient content capable of
meeting dietary requirement its consumers
13. MAJOR REFERENCES
1. Ugese, F. D., Baiyeri, K. P. and Mbah, B. N. 2008.
Nutritional composition of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) fruit
pulp across its major distribution zones in Nigeria. Fruits
63: 163 – 169
2. Ugese, F. D., Baiyeri, K. P. and Mbah, B. N. 2008. Mineral
content of the pulp of shea butter fruit (Vitellaria paradoxa
C. F. Gaertn.) sourced from seven locations in the savanna
ecology of Nigeria. Tree and Forestry Science and
Biotechnology 2(1): 40 – 42.