Dacryodes edulis (African Pear Fruit) is an indigenous edible fruit that is used for both food and medicine in North Central Nigeria. The nutritional composition and functional properties of Dacryodes edulis were studied using standard analytical techniques. The fruits were analyzed for Physico-chemical characteristics (pH, Titratable acidity and Total insoluble solids), proximate analysis (Crude protein, Ash content, dry matter content), Mineral analysis (Se, Mn) and antioxidant activity (TBARS). The analyzers showed the results of the Pulp and Seed, respectively, as pH (7.12 ± 0.1, 5.92 ± 0.1), Tritatable acidity (0.068% ± 0.01, 0.143% ± 0.02), Total Insoluble Solids (11.68% ± 0.5, 24.92% ± 0.5), Crude protein (6.52% ± 0.4, 5.82% ± 0.4), Ash content (4.62 ± 0.01, 4.35 ± 0.01), Dry matter content (92.82% ± 0.05, 76.15% ± 0.05), Selenium (0.0247 ± 0.03, 0.0109 ± 0.03), Manganese (3.7852 ± 0.01, 1.4751 ± 0.1), TBARS (0.48 ± 0.02, 0.60 ± 0.02). The results revealed that values of Nutritional indicators were higher than the general thresholds for Pulp and Seed. While the non-nutritional values were, however, higher than pH, but lower in Tritatable acidity. The trace elements investigated showed the concentrations at minimum general ranges. Generally, the results of the fruit demonstrate high food application potentials with possible health benefits. This investigation highlights the necessity of conserving these fruits to present the depletion of this valuable resource. The identification of these wild species possessing medicinal properties underscores the significance of conducting further research or the sufficient nutritional and antioxidant activity of these wild fruits provide healthy food sources for the residents, just the same as many cultivated fruits and vegetables.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Aremu MO, Olonisakin A, Bako DA, Madu PC. Compositional studies and physicochemical characteristics of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) flour. Pak J Nutr. 2006;5(4):328–333.
2. Erukainure OL, Ebuehi OA, Choudhary IM, Adhikari A, Hafizur RM, Perveen S, et al. Iridoid glycoside from the leaves of Clerodendrum volubile Beauv. shows potent antioxidant activity against oxidative stress in rat brain and hepatic tissues. J Diet Suppl. 2014;11(1):19–29.
3. Goldsmith EB. Social influence and sustainable consumption. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2015.
4. Higgin A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, Chaimani A, Atkinson LZ, Ogawa Y, et al. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366.
5. Yang J, Huang Y, He C, Ling Y, Ge N, Hu M, et al. Radiofrequency signal processing with a memristive system-on-a-chip. Nat Electron. 2025;8(7):587–596.
6. Jolayemi OL, Malik AH, Ekblad T, Fredlund K, Olsson ME, Johansson E. Protein-based biostimulants to enhance plant growth—state-of-the-art and future direction with sugar beet as an example. Agronomy. 2022;12(12):3211.
7. Khomdram SD, Fanai L, Yumkham SD. Local knowledge of edible flowers used in Mizoram. Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2019;18(4):714–723.
8. Lohlum SA. Proximate composition, amino acid profile and phytochemical screening of Lophira lanceolata seeds. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev. 2010;10(1).
9. Oboh G, Isaac AT, Akinyemi AJ, Ajani RA. Inhibition of key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and sodium nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation in rats’ pancreas by phenolic extracts of avocado pear leaves and fruit. Int J Biomed Sci. 2014;10(3):208.
10. Olusesan AI, Iye OJ. Assessment of different allelopathic plants on the yield attributes of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in nematode infested soil of Makurdi, Benue State. Asian J Res Rev Agric. 2021;10:22–26.
11. Omusuli NJT, Barber LI, Ebere CO. Proximate, mineral and functional properties of defatted and undefatted cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) kernel flour. Eur J Food Sci Technol. 2015;3(4):11–19.
12. Roger JDP. Salud por los alimentos. Madrid: Editorial Safeliz; 2006.
13. Sani I, Abdulhamid A, Bello F, Fakai IM. Eucalyptus camaldulensis: Phytochemical composition of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves, stem-bark, root, fruits and seeds. J Sci Innov Res. 2014;3(5):523–526.
14. Sunmonu TO, Lewu FB. Phytochemical analysis, in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of key diabetic enzymes by selected Nigerian medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential. Indian J Pharm Educ Res. 2019;53(2):250–260.
15. Tase V, Jamir T. Assessment of physico-chemical characteristics and phytochemical screening of some wild edible fruits from Kohima, Nagaland. J Mater Environ Sci. 2024;15(7):1070–1080.
16. Zagga UM, Umar H, Akintomide FA, Aminu A, Maiyaki AS, Zulkifilu U, et al. Triple emergencies: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, venous thromboembolism, and huge free-floating right heart thrombus successfully managed with anticoagulation. Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(12):e04710.

Dacryodes edulis (African Pear Fruit) is an indigenous edible fruit that is used for both food and medicine in North Central Nigeria. The nutritional composition and functional properties of Dacryodes edulis were studied using standard analytical techniques. The fruits were analyzed for Physico-chemical characteristics (pH, Titratable acidity and Total insoluble solids), proximate analysis (Crude protein, Ash content, dry matter content), Mineral analysis (Se, Mn) and antioxidant activity (TBARS). The analyzers showed the results of the Pulp and Seed, respectively, as pH (7.12 ± 0.1, 5.92 ± 0.1), Tritatable acidity (0.068% ± 0.01, 0.143% ± 0.02), Total Insoluble Solids (11.68% ± 0.5, 24.92% ± 0.5), Crude protein (6.52% ± 0.4, 5.82% ± 0.4), Ash content (4.62 ± 0.01, 4.35 ± 0.01), Dry matter content (92.82% ± 0.05, 76.15% ± 0.05), Selenium (0.0247 ± 0.03, 0.0109 ± 0.03), Manganese (3.7852 ± 0.01, 1.4751 ± 0.1), TBARS (0.48 ± 0.02, 0.60 ± 0.02). The results revealed that values of Nutritional indicators were higher than the general thresholds for Pulp and Seed. While the non-nutritional values were, however, higher than pH, but lower in Tritatable acidity. The trace elements investigated showed the concentrations at minimum general ranges. Generally, the results of the fruit demonstrate high food application potentials with possible health benefits. This investigation highlights the necessity of conserving these fruits to present the depletion of this valuable resource. The identification of these wild species possessing medicinal properties underscores the significance of conducting further research or the sufficient nutritional and antioxidant activity of these wild fruits provide healthy food sources for the residents, just the same as many cultivated fruits and vegetables.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Aremu MO, Olonisakin A, Bako DA, Madu PC. Compositional studies and physicochemical characteristics of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) flour. Pak J Nutr. 2006;5(4):328–333.
2. Erukainure OL, Ebuehi OA, Choudhary IM, Adhikari A, Hafizur RM, Perveen S, et al. Iridoid glycoside from the leaves of Clerodendrum volubile Beauv. shows potent antioxidant activity against oxidative stress in rat brain and hepatic tissues. J Diet Suppl. 2014;11(1):19–29.
3. Goldsmith EB. Social influence and sustainable consumption. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2015.
4. Higgin A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, Chaimani A, Atkinson LZ, Ogawa Y, et al. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366.
5. Yang J, Huang Y, He C, Ling Y, Ge N, Hu M, et al. Radiofrequency signal processing with a memristive system-on-a-chip. Nat Electron. 2025;8(7):587–596.
6. Jolayemi OL, Malik AH, Ekblad T, Fredlund K, Olsson ME, Johansson E. Protein-based biostimulants to enhance plant growth—state-of-the-art and future direction with sugar beet as an example. Agronomy. 2022;12(12):3211.
7. Khomdram SD, Fanai L, Yumkham SD. Local knowledge of edible flowers used in Mizoram. Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2019;18(4):714–723.
8. Lohlum SA. Proximate composition, amino acid profile and phytochemical screening of Lophira lanceolata seeds. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev. 2010;10(1).
9. Oboh G, Isaac AT, Akinyemi AJ, Ajani RA. Inhibition of key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and sodium nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation in rats’ pancreas by phenolic extracts of avocado pear leaves and fruit. Int J Biomed Sci. 2014;10(3):208.
10. Olusesan AI, Iye OJ. Assessment of different allelopathic plants on the yield attributes of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in nematode infested soil of Makurdi, Benue State. Asian J Res Rev Agric. 2021;10:22–26.
11. Omusuli NJT, Barber LI, Ebere CO. Proximate, mineral and functional properties of defatted and undefatted cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) kernel flour. Eur J Food Sci Technol. 2015;3(4):11–19.
12. Roger JDP. Salud por los alimentos. Madrid: Editorial Safeliz; 2006.
13. Sani I, Abdulhamid A, Bello F, Fakai IM. Eucalyptus camaldulensis: Phytochemical composition of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves, stem-bark, root, fruits and seeds. J Sci Innov Res. 2014;3(5):523–526.
14. Sunmonu TO, Lewu FB. Phytochemical analysis, in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of key diabetic enzymes by selected Nigerian medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential. Indian J Pharm Educ Res. 2019;53(2):250–260.
15. Tase V, Jamir T. Assessment of physico-chemical characteristics and phytochemical screening of some wild edible fruits from Kohima, Nagaland. J Mater Environ Sci. 2024;15(7):1070–1080.
16. Zagga UM, Umar H, Akintomide FA, Aminu A, Maiyaki AS, Zulkifilu U, et al. Triple emergencies: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, venous thromboembolism, and huge free-floating right heart thrombus successfully managed with anticoagulation. Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(12):e04710.