Local processing and nutritional composition of indigenous fruits: The case of monkey orange (Strychnos spp.) from Southern Africa

Figures & data

Table 1. Sensory properties of the four main species of monkey orange fruit.

Monkey orange species	Taste	Aroma volatiles	Aroma description	Texture	Color	References
S. cocculoides Bak.	Sweet	isobutyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl-2-methylbutyrate, 2, 6-ditetrabutyl-4-methyl-phenol, butyl-2-methyl butyrate, and geranyl acetate,	Fruity sweet	Jelly-like Juicy	Yellow	(3, 4, 31, 32)
S. spinosa Lam.	Tarty/fermented Acid- sweet	Phenylpropanoids, trans-isoeugenol	Clove	ND*	Yellow	(3, 4, 24)
S. innocua Del.	Sweet Bitter	ND	ND	ND	Deep yellow to brown yellow	(1, 4)
S. pungens Sol.	Tarty/fermented Pleasant tasting	ND	ND	Juicy	Yellow	(4)

*ND: No Data

Table 2. Macronutrient composition¹ of the edible portion of monkey orange species S. cocculoides, S. spinosa, S. innocua and S. pungens.

	S. spinosa				S. cocculoides				S. innocua				S. pungens
	Mean	Min	Max	Reference	Mean	Min	Max	Reference	Mean	Min	Max	References	Mean	Min	Max	References
CHO* g/100 g	28.7	15.2	42.1	(16, 33)	18.2	16.8	19.6	(22, 33)	32.5	15.4	61	(15, 16, 22, 34)	21.3	18.9	23.6	(22, 33)
Protein g/100 g	9.0	5.4	12.8	(16, 33)	3.5	0.3	6.6	(22, 33)	5.9	0.3	11.5	(15, 16, 22,34)	4.3	3.9	4.6	(22, 33)
Moisture %	78.8	ND*	ND	(33)	78.2	76	80.4	(22, 33)	74.1	60.2	91	(15, 22, 34)	68.2	64.3	72.1	(22, 33)
Fat g/100 g	15.8	0.47	31.2	(16, 33)	0.4	0.3	0.5	(22, 33)	6.9	0.7	20	(15, 16,22, 34)	1.8	0.7	2.9	(22, 33)
Fibre g/100 g	9.2	3.3	17.6	(14, 16, 33)	4.6	4.59	4.6	(22, 33)	9.4	2.5	17.9	(15, 16, 22)	13	3.8	22.2	(22, 33)
Ash g/100 g	3.5	1.8	4.6	(14, 16, 33)	2.2	0.5	3.8	(22, 33)	3.3	0.5	4.7	(15, 16, 22, 34)	2	1	3	(22, 33)
Energy kJ/100 g dw	1681	1439	1923	(16, 33)	1477	1382	1571	(22, 33)	1628	1390	2084	(16, 22, 34)	1363	1315	1411	(22, 33)

*ND: No Data

*CHO: Carbohydrate

¹Different units to express nutritional content were used in the literature collected for this review, thus all data were converted to g/100 g for macronutrients kJ/100J for energy and dry matter basis where possible to enable data comparison. In some cases data had to be omitted due to a missing water content or dry matter content and when it was not clear whether dry or wet basis was used. In other cases it was not stated whether the flesh, juice or pulp was used in analysis and therefore data are presented in general terms as the edible portion of the fruit. Where data for a particular species was found from one source it is assumed to be the mean value.

Table 3. Mineral and vitamin C composition¹ of the edible portion of monkey orange species S. cocculoides, S. spinosa, S. innocua and S. pungens.

mg/100 g	S. spinosa				S. cocculoides				S. innocua				S. pungens
	Mean	Min	Max	References	Mean	Min	Max	References	Mean	Min	Max	References	Mean	Min	Max	References
Fe	3.3	0.1	13.6	(14, 16, 24, 33)	70.5	0.9	140	(22, 33)	11.4	6	30	(16, 22, 34)	6.1	2.2	10	(22, 33)
P	60.3	26.3	108.1	(14, 16, 24, 33)	116.5	103	130	(22, 33)	77.7	2.6	210.6	(16, 22, 34)	133.6	97.1	170	(22, 33)
Ca	73.1	14.9	216	(14, 16, 24, 33)	46.5	45	48	(22, 33)	22.6	6	55	(16, 22, 34)	67.5	30	105.2	(22, 33)
Mg	81.2	43	205.7	(14, 16, 24, 33)	137.2	ND*	ND	(33)	87	10.7	163.3	(16, 34)	136.6	ND	ND	(33)
Na	23.3	13.2	36.2	(14, 16, 24, 33)	4.5	ND	ND	(33)	99.6	45.9	153.3	(16, 34)	7.2	ND	ND	(33)
Zn	0.5	0.2	0.6	(14, 24, 33)	0.4	ND	ND	(33)	28.7	ND	ND	(34)	1.22	ND	ND	(33)
K	1342.4	923.3	1968.3	(14, 16, 24, 33)	959.2	ND	ND	(33)	1561.7	256.3	2867	(16, 34)	1718	ND	ND	(33)
Cu	0.62	0.09	2.2	(24, 33)	0.36	ND	ND	(33)	2.4	ND	ND	(34)	1.28	ND	ND	(33)
Vitamin C	69	50	88	(14, 33)	34.2	ND	ND	(33)	45.2	ND	ND	(34)	38.6	ND	ND	(33)

*ND: No Data

¹Different units to express nutritional content were used in the literature collected for this review, thus all data were converted mg/100 g for micronutrients, vitamin C and dry matter basis where possible to enable data comparison. In some cases data had to be omitted due to a missing water content or dry matter content and when it was not clear whether dry or wet basis was used. In other cases it was not stated whether the flesh, juice or pulp was used in analysis and therefore data are presented in general terms as the edible portion of the fruit. Where data for a particular species was found from one source it is assumed to be the mean value.

Figure 1. Household post-harvest handling storage and food use of Strychnos spp.

Table 4. Monkey orange composition with RDI⁽⁷²⁾ for children 4–8, pregnant females 19–50, adult males 19–50, and adult females 19–50 years (species: S. spinosa, S. cocculoides, S. innocua and S. pungens).

	CHO	Protein	Fiber	Zn	Fe	Vit. C
	g/day	g/day	mg/day	mg/day	mg/day	mg/day
RDI children 4–8 years	130	19	25	5	10	25
S. spinosa pulp composition	28.7	9.1	9.2	0.5	3.3	69
% contribution	22	48	37	10	33	276
S. cocculoides pulp composition	18.2	3.5	4.6	0.4	70.5	34.2
% contribution	14	18	18	8	705	137
S. innocua pulp composition	32.5	5.9	9.4	28.7	11.4	45.2
% contribution	25	31	38	574	114	181
S. pungens pulp composition	21.3	4.3	13	1.22	6.1	38.4
% contribution	16.4	23	52	24	61	154
RDI pregnant female 19–50 years	175	71	28	11	27	85
S. spinosa pulp composition	28.7	9.1	9.2	0.5	3.3	69
% contribution	16.4	13	33	5	12	81
S. cocculoides pulp composition	18.2	3.5	4.6	0.4	70.5	34.2
% contribution	10.4	5	16	4	261	40
S. innocua pulp composition	32.5	5.9	9.4	28.7	11.4	45.2
% contribution	18.6	8	34	266	42	53
S. pungens pulp composition	21.3	4.3	13	1.2	6.1	38.4
% contribution	12.2	6	46	11	23	45
RDI adult male 19–50 years	130	56	38	11	8	90
S. spinosa pulp composition	28.7	9.1	9.2	0.5	3.3	69
% contribution	22.1	16	24	5	41	77
S. cocculoides pulp composition	18.2	3.5	4.6	0.4	70.5	34.2
% contribution	14	6	12	4	881	38
S. innocua pulp composition	32.5	5.9	9.4	28.7	11.4	45.2
% contribution	25	11	25	261	143	51
S. pungens pulp composition	21.3	4.3	13	1.22	6.1	38.4
% contribution	16.4	8	34	11	76	43
RDI adult female 19–50 years	130	46	25	8	18	75
S. spinosa pulp composition	28.7	9.1	9.2	0.5	3.3	69
% contribution	22.1	20	37	6	18	92
S. cocculoides pulp composition	18.2	3.5	4.6	0.4	70.5	34.2
% contribution	14	8	18	5	392	46
S. innocua pulp composition	32.5	5.9	9.4	28.7	11.4	45.2
% contribution	25	13	38	359	63	60
S.pungens pulp composition	21.3	4.3	13	1.22	6.1	38.4
% contribution	16.4	9	52	15	34	51

Percentage (%) contribution: obtained from means calculated from data obtained by different authors.⁽³⁾

The values presented for Contribution to RDI are an estimate and based on the current literature reviewed. Where values could be lower and metabolic studies such as bio-accessibility and bioavailability are required for accuracy.

Figure 2. Strychnos spp. main processing techniques, advantages, challenges and research needs.

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