Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Crop Science Society
Abstract
Balanites products offer great opportunity to reduce malnutrition, contribute to food security and reduce poverty among dryland communities. The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is a neglected crop in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. This study determines the nutritional composition of B. aegyptiaca edible parts in Uganda so as to promote their wider utilization. Results reveal that Balanites leaves, flowers and fruit pulp are good sources of proteins, Fe, K, Mn, Zn and Cu thus contributing substantial amounts of macro and micronutrients to human diet. However, leaves and flowers were nutritionally superior to fruit pulp.
Description
Includes abstract in French
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Keywords
BALANITES AEGYPTIACA, CRUDE FAT, CRUDE PROTEIN, UGANDA, DATE PALMS, DATES, NUTRITION, DROUGHT RESISTANCE, NUTRIENTS, ARID ZONE, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, ETHNOBOTANY, INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, PLANT VARIETIES
Citation
Okia, C.A., Agea, J.G., Kwetegyeka, J., Okiror, P., Kimondo, J., Teklehaimanot, Z., et al. (2013). Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products. African Crop Science Journal, 21(S3), 657-667.