Title
Chemical and proximate composition of
(Zizyphus spina-christi) nabag fruit
Author/s
Magdi A. Osman & Mohammed Asif Ahmed
Contact Info.
www.emeraldinsight.com/0034-6659htm
Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and
Department
Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Major
Food Science and Nutrition
Year of Publication
2009
Publisher
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0034-6659
Type of Publication
Research type
Full Text (Yes, No)
No
Key words
Acids, Minerals, Chemicals
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the
potential food and industrial values of a tropical and
underutilized indigenous plant.
Design/methodology/approach – Specimens of a drymilled
plant,
subjected
to
namely:
Zizyphus
chemical
analysis
spina-christi,
to
determine
were
their
proximate, sugar, and amino acid compositions using
standard procedures.
Findings – The fruit pulp was found to be a good source of
Abstract
energy, carbohydrates and rich in Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn,
whereas the seeds are rich in crude fiber. Essential amino
acids are 32.96 percent in fruit pulp and 25.22 percent in
seeds,
whereas
non-essential
amino
acids
are
61.25
percent in fruit pulp and 73 percent in seeds.
Originality/Value – The nutritional composition of the
plant suggests that they may find use in food formation
operations and as industrial raw materials.
Key words: Acids, Minerals, Chemcials
Paper type: Research Paper