Physico-chemical properties of palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum Mart.) fruits from Northern Cameroon

Abstract

Palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum Mart ) is a priority socio economic ligneous tree species naturally widespread in Cameroons Savannah regions. Its fruits are consumed as food and or food supplements especially during famine periods. Unfortunately, over 60% of the annual fruit yield is often lost within ten days after harvesting due to rot in storage. In the current study, we examined palmyra palm tree cultivars fruit nutritional and morphological attributes from agro - climatic zones of Cameroon. Significant differences in fruit morphology and similarity in nutritional composition per 100 g of fresh matter was observed (> 4.47 g sugars, 5.18 g fiber, >26 mg of provitamin A and >134.82 mg vitamin C. The pulp constituted 35% of the total mass of the fruit.   Key words: Cameroon, Borassus aethiopum, fruit nutrition attributes, morphology.