Assessment of nutritional potential with respect to macroelements in the Tropical fruits from Solomon Islands

The present study reports the contents of macroelements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in tropical fruits samples from Solomon Islands. The fruit samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The method used was validated by analyzing standard reference material of Blueberry fruit (NIST-SRM3287). The macroelemental concentrations in fruits revealed the highest content of K (480 +/- 13 mg/100 g) in breadfruit while the maximum concentrations of Ca (41.9 +/- 2.0 mg/100 g) and Mg (150 +/- 8 mg/100 g) were found in cutnut. Banana exhibited the highest concentration of Na as 14.7 +/- 0.6 mg/100 g. Potassium showed dominance while Na showed the least concentration in the studied fruits except for starfruit which had Ca as the least concentrated element. The estimated recommended dietary allowance (RDA) coverage for macroelements in fruits showed the highest percentage covering for children followed by adolescents and adults, in respective ranges of 0.173-188, 0.138-71.4 and 0.173-48.4% RDA. The individual macroelements RDA coverage for children, adolescents and adults were estimated to be K (3.87-16.0, 3.13-10.7 and 3.00-10.2% RDA), Ca (0.393-5.99, 0.302-3.22 and 0.330-4.19% RDA) and Na (0.173-1.47, 0.138-0.980 and 0.138-1.23% RDA), respectively. Based on the estimated percentage RDA coverage, the studied fruits have been classified as sources and rich sources of different macroelements for children, adolescents and adult diets.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the macroelement content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in tropical fruits from Solomon Islands using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed varying concentrations of these elements in different fruits, with breadfruit having the highest potassium content and cutnut having the highest calcium and magnesium content. Banana had the highest sodium concentration. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) coverage for macroelements in these fruits was highest for children, followed by adolescents and adults.