Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Chemical and elemental analysis of the edible fruit of five Carpobrotus species from South Africa: Assessment of nutritional value and potential metal toxicity

Joint Event on 17^th World Congress on Nutrition and Food Chemistry & 14^th Euro Obesity and Endocrinology Congress

September 13-15, 2018 | London, UK

Neal K Broomhead

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Republic of South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci

Abstract :

The nutritional value of the edible fruits of five Carpobrotus species was determined for the first time. The fruits were low in lipids, high in moisture and may contribute adequately towards the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for proteins, carbohydrates and essential elements. Concentrations of essential elements were generally in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn, Cu > Cr > Se ~ Ni ~ Co. C. dimidiatus and C. acinaciformis were rich in Cr contributing between 82 - 143% and 62 - 109%, respectively towards its RDA whilst C. delicious was rich in Mn contributing between 122 �?? 156% towards its RDA. The fruits did not exhibit metal toxicity except for C. dimidiatus which had Cd and Pb concentrations exceeding maximum permissible limits. The results show the fruits of Carpobrotus species to be nutritionally rich hence; they may contribute positively to the diet of all who consume them.

Biography :

Neal K. Broomhead was awarded his MSc. Degree in Analytical Chemistry from Birkbeck College, University of London at the age 33. He is currently undertaking his PhD studies in Chemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Chemistry and Physics, South Africa as a member of the Natural Products Research Group. To date he has published 1 paper in a reputed journal.

E-mail: broomheadnk@gmail.com