Authors : V.A.J. Adekunle and O.V. Oyerinde
Abstract: Food potentials of some selected plant species with edible fruits of the lowland rainforest ecosystem of southwest Nigeria were examined in this study. Eight fruits species distributed among seven families were harvested fresh from Ala Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, southwest Nigeria for the analysis. Proximate, mineral and anti-nutritional factors were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. Six of the fruits were analyzed raw while two were roasted and also boiled to bring them to the same level of consumption. It was discovered that the plant species flower and fruit at different period of the year and this made them to be available all year round. The results of the chemical analysis show that all the selected fruits contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning and the levels of the anti-nutrients obtained are well below the lethal dose which can make them detrimental for consumption. Their protein values were discovered to be high (above 100 g kg-1 DM) except C. albidum. All the fruits are potentially good as cheap source of protein and other essential nutrients for the rural sector of the economy that are facing food crisis today. Conservation strategies were recommended for the species to avert the extinction threat on them as a result of increased pressure on this lowland rainforest ecosystem. This will also make them sustainable.
V.A.J. Adekunle and O.V. Oyerinde , 2004. Food Potentials of Some Indigeneous Wild Fruits in Lowland Rainforest Ecosystem of South West Nigeria . Journal of Food Technology, 2: 125-130.