Nutritional and mineral assessment of Solanum trilobatum (L.) fruit

Introduction: Edible wild plants are nature’s gift to mankind. Considering the growing need to identify alternative bio-nutritional sources, Solanum trilobatum (L.) of the family Solanaceae was evaluated as wild edible fruit to study their nutritive and mineral composition in order to prioritize their edibility for indigenous people. Materials and Methods: The major proximal components (moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, fibers and carbohydrates) were determined by standard AOAC methods and the concentration of various minerals (Na, K, Mg and Ca) and trace elements (Fe and Zn) were recorded by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Our results indicated a range of moisture contents from 80 ± 0.56 g/100g (fresh weight basis); protein 5.5 ± 0.89 g/100g (fresh weight basis); carbohydrates 25 ± 0.78g/100g and fiber 3.3 ± 0.55g/100g. The highest levels of Mg((194 ± 0.07) mg/100g), Ca((60 ± 0.42) mg/100g) and Na((28 ± 0.11) mg/100g) and lowest levels in potassium ((0.73 ± 0.04) mg/100g), Iron ((0.34 ± 0.08) mg/100g) and phosphorus ((0.02 ± 0.01) mg/100g) and the basic detect level of Fe. Conclusion: According to our results, Solanum trilobatum is recommended for commercial-scale production for the pharmaceutical industry to overcome medicinal crises as they are potential medicinal sources and its contain moderate nutrient profiles.