Nutritional value assessment of umufumba: A Rwandan wild edible plant Mondia whytei (Hook. F)

Abstract

This study reports findings on the macro- and micronutrient content of the root bark of Mondia whytei Skeels (Hook. F) (Asclepiadaceae), from five Rwandan different localities Northern part, and the nutritional content was found to vary locality of the plant. Vitamins were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The vitamins analyzed included β-carotene (fat soluble), niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine (water soluble) whose content was found to range from 4.4 to 73.5 μg/g dry matter. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to analyze calcium, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, and lead, whereas flame emission spectrophotometry (FES) was used for the determination of sodium and potassium. The highest mineral (mg/g of dry matter) was K (11.34–32.05), while the lowest was Pb (0.03–0.06). Mean total protein content was determined using the combustion method, and the mean percentage range was 4.7%–15.4%. The sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and xylose) were analyzed by HPLC. There were significant differences (2.5–132.2 mg/g) in the free sugar contents. The results obtained in this study indicate that Mondia whytei Skeels (Hook. F) is rich in nutrients and can be developed for use as a food supplement since the nutrient contents are within the ranges recommended by FAO and WHO.