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Mineral and Phytochemical composition of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) root tubers from selected natural populations of Malawi

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dc.contributor.author Kamanula, Mussa
dc.contributor.author Chimuleke, Munthali
dc.contributor.author Dziwapo, Agnes
dc.contributor.author Kamanula, John F.
dc.date.accessioned 2020-09-21T13:17:28Z
dc.date.available 2020-09-21T13:17:28Z
dc.date.issued 2018-12
dc.identifier.citation Kamanula, M., Munthali, C. R., Dziwapo, A., & Kamanula, J. F. (2018). Mineral and phytochemical composition of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) root tubers from selected natural populations of Malawi. Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 30(4), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v30i4.7 en_US
dc.identifier.uri repository.mzuni.ac.mw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/113
dc.description.abstract Background Most studies on baobab have focused mainly on the nutritional value of baobab fruit pulp. Information on nutritional value and medicinal properties of the baobab root tuber has not been fully investigated and is scarce. This study was conducted to assess mineral and phytochemical composition of baobab root tubers from selected natural populations of Malawi. Methods Baobab seeds from Chikhwawa, Mwanza, Salima, Karonga and Likoma were sown at Mzuzu University. At the age of five months after sowing, mineral content of the resulting root tubers was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer whereas phytochemical composition was determined qualitatively. Results Magnesium (44.16mg/100g) and calcium (69.39mg/100g) levels were highest in baobab root tubers from Chikhwawa and Karonga, respectively. Mwanza and Karonga root tubers contained highest amount of lead (0.2100mg/100g) while iron content was highest (8.89mg/100g) in root tubers from Karonga. Salima and Mwanza root tubers showed strong concentration of terpenoids. Moderate concentrations of saponins were detected in Mwanza, Salima, Karonga and Chikhwawa root tubers. Alkaloids and flavonoids were absent in all families from the five sampled provenances. Conclusion Minerals and phytochemicals present in baobab root tubers suggest their nutritional and medicinal potential. However, further research is required to establish the causes of high levels of lead in baobab root tubers. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Malawi Medical Journal en_US
dc.subject Lead en_US
dc.subject Magnesium en_US
dc.subject Calcium en_US
dc.subject Iron en_US
dc.subject Saponins en_US
dc.subject Terpenoids en_US
dc.title Mineral and Phytochemical composition of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) root tubers from selected natural populations of Malawi en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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