Chemical Composition of Serendipity Berry (Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii) and Miracle Fruit (Thaumatococcus daniellii)

Aims: To determine the chemical composition of serendipity berry (Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii) and miracle fruit (Thaumatococcus daniellii). Study Design: The mean and standard deviation of the data obtained were analyzed. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were prepared in Department of Food Science and Technology, Osun State Polytechnic, between November 2018 and December 2019. Methodology: Chemical properties of two natural sweeteners namely the miracle fruit (Thaumatococcus danielli) and serendipity berry (Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii) were studied in this work. The fresh fruits were obtained from a farm, sorted, washed and the tissues were scraped, dried in the oven at 45°C for 12 hrs, milled and packed in airtight plastic containers. Proximate, vitamins and amino acid contents of the sweeteners were determined. Results: The results revealed that the protein contents of miracle fruit and serendipity berry were 75.57% and 62.54% respectively. Moisture contents of the sweeteners ranged from 56.95-58.33% while ash contents ranged from 19.33-22.90%. The sweeteners had low carbohydrate and lipid contents. Crude fiber was not detected in miracle fruit but serendipity berry had crude fibre of 5.38%. The fruits had β-carotene contents ranging from 8.44 mg/100 g and 23.00 mg/100 g, vitamin C (20.40 mg/100 g and 22.01 mg/100 g) and vitamin D (17.02 mg/100 g and 19.02 mg/100 g) in miracle fruit and serendipity berry respectively. However, low values were recorded for vitamin E 0.55 mg/100 g and 0.89 mg/100 g in miracle fruit and serendipity berry respectively. The fruits had appreciable amount of essential amino acid which was above 50% of the total amino acid content. Miracle fruit had 51.96% and serendipity berry had 58.07% of the essential amino acid. Aromatic essential amino were 10.78 and 12.79% in miracle fruits and serendipity respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the two natural sweeteners are good source of essential nutrients and could be used as food supplements in our diet.

Nutritional Composition and GC-MS Phytochemical Analysis of Thaumatococcus daniellii Leaves

Aims: There is a high risk associated with using artificial materials like polyethylene or foil for wrapping foods before cooking. The present study investigated the phytochemical and nutrient composition of Thaumatococus daniellii leaf, a local food wrapper. Place and Duration of Study: Biochemistry Unit, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, between April and May 2018. Methodology: The phytochemical compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while proximate and vitamin composition was determined using standard analytical methods. Results: The GC-MS phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of eight (8) bioactive compounds 1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol, d-Glycero-d-idoheptose, Cyclopentane,1-ethyl-1-methyl-, 6-Octyl-1-ol,3,7-dimethyl-, 2-Octenal, E- Octane,1-chloro-,2-Acetoxy-1,1,10-trimethyl-6,9-epidioxydecalin and Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-ol,2,6,6-trimethyl-,(1α,2β,3α,5α)- while vitamin assay results showed that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf contained 3.1mg/100g of vitamin A, 1.07 mg/100 g vitamin B1, 1.32 mg/100 g vitamin B3, 1.11 mg/100 g of vitamin B5, 16.34 mg/100 g of vitamin B6, 11.86 mg/100 g of vitamin B12 and 25.19 mg/100 g of vitamin C. Result of proximate analysis indicates that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf contains 10.15% ash, 9.67% moisture, 20.41% protein, 11.42% lipids, 13.78% fibre and 34.57% carbohydrate. Conclusion: In summary, our findings indicate that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves contain bioactive compounds, an appreciable number of vitamins and high nutritional constituents. Hence Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves can be incorporated into animal feed, taking into cognizance the high protein, fat and vitamin contents. These suggest that it may play critical medicinal and nutritional roles and probably be a safer alternative to polyethylene paper and aluminum foil wraps; hence justifying its local usage as food wrapper. The leaves may also serve as a lead for the production of a healthier material for wrapping local foods.