African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 12 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Palmyra Palm Fruits in Northern Cameroon

Ahmed Ali¹*, Djibrilla Alhadji², Clergé Tchiegang² and Clément Saïdou³

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, University Institute of Technology (IUT), Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

²Department of Food Science and Nutrition, National Advanced School of Agro-industrial Sciences (ENSAI), Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

³Department of Food Processing and Quality Control, University Institute of Technology (IUT), Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

Accepted 12 February, 2024

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.