Evaluation of Mineral Elements Content of Senegal Fruits

This study determined mineral value and antioxidant activity of Senegal fruits for contributing to improving healthy diet and preventing some chronic diseases. Mineral element contents of Dialium guineense, Landolphia heudelotti, Mangifera indica, Cyperus esculentus and Saba senegalensis, which are widely available and consumed, were studied. The results by ICP-OES spectrophotometry after acid mineralization showed highest levels of (per 100 g fruits), calcium (158 mg), potassium (1018 mg), magnesium (532 mg), zinc (26 mg) with juice of Landolphia heudelotti fruit pulp. Mangifera indica pulp is richer in sodium (89 mg), phosphorus (556 mg), sulphur (384 mg) and silicon (110 mg). Dialium senegalensis pulp is richer in iron (23 mg) and manganese (19 mg). Lyophilized Cyperus esculentus rhizomes analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry gave highest concentrations of (per 100 g fruits), calcium (2550 mg), potassium (11,843 mg) and magnesium (7669 mg) but sodium content (22 mg) is lower. In vitro antioxidant activity evaluation with the DPPH radical showed for 10 mg/ml concentration, highest inhibition percentage for Saba senegalensis 4.03%, followed by Landolphia heudelotti and Dialium guineense, which were significantly similar 2.29% and 2.20% respectively, Mangifera indica 1.7% and finally Cyperus esculentus 0.5%, but much lower compared to the ascorbic acid equal to 96.32% used as a reference.