Nutrient and mineral assessment of edible wild fig and mulberry fruits

Introduction. Edible wild plants are nature's gift to mankind. Considering the growing need to identify alternative bio-nutritional sources, some underutilized species of figs (Ficus carica L., F. palmata Forssk., F. racemosa L.) and mulberries (Morus alba L., M. nigra L, M. laevigata Wall.) of the family Moraceae were evaluated as wild edible fruits to study their nutritive and mineral composition in order to prioritize their edibility for indigenous people. Materials and methods. The major proximal components (moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, fibers and carbohydrates) were determined by standard AOAC methods. The concentration of various minerals (K, Ca, Mg and Na) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni) were recorded by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results. Our results indicated a range of moisture contents from 17.82-80.37 g center dot 100 g(-1) (fresh weight basis) in F. carica-M. laviegata; protein, 6.31-13.50 g center dot 100 g(-1) (dry weight basis) in F. glomerata-M. alba; crude fats, 1.02-2.71 g center dot 100 g(-1) in F. palmate-F. glomerata; carbohydrates 69.47-75.58 g center dot 100 g(-1) in M. alba-M. nigra; and fiber 7.63-17.81 g center dot 100 g(-1) in M. laviegata-F. palmate, respectively. The significantly highest energy value was computed in M. laviegata (367.7 kcal center dot 100 g(-1)). Moreover, sufficient quantities of essential elements were found in all the studied materials. The highest levels of N [(0.24 +/- 0.07) mg center dot g-1] and Fe [(1.43 +/- 0.42 mg center dot g(-1)] were found in M. laviegata; Na [(1.92 +/- 0.11 mg center dot g-1] and Mg [(6.92 +/- 0.37 mg center dot g-1] in F. palmate; and K [(17.21 +/- 0.03 mg center dot g-1] in F. glomerata. Significant variation existed among the selected species in all the nutritional parameters. Conclusion. According to our results, fig and mulberry fruits are recommended for commercial-scale production for the green industry to overcome food crises as they are potential food sources, particularly Morus laviegata and Ficus palmata, with rich nutritional attributes and mineral profiles.