Biochemical, Phytochemical, and Mineral Constituents of African Horned Cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. ex Naudin) Fruit in Comparison to Selected Cucurbitaceae Fruits: A Review

Abstract

Background: Indigenous African fruits, like the African horned cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus), are abundant in nutrients and serve as a source of food and raw materials for manufacturing value-added products in both rural and urban areas. This review presents a comparative analysis of selected fruits in the Cucurbitaceae family, specifically in terms of the phytochemical, biochemical and mineral constituents, as well as nutritional contribution, and aims to explore how the African horned cucumber measures up to its counterparts by comparing their nutritional content against the recommended daily intake (RDI). Material and Methods: A literature search—using the keywords ‘African horned cucumber’, ‘Cucurbitaceae fruits’, ‘biochemical constituents’, ‘indigenous fruits’ and ‘recommended daily intake’—was used to gather credible data suitable for this review paper. Findings and Conclusions: The published peer-reviewed literature reveals that the African horned cucumber—with its nutrient-rich profile boasting high levels of calcium (19%), potassium (28%), magnesium (78.1%), sodium (10.7%), zinc (12.7%), beta carotene (15.5%), vitamin C (4.1%), vitamin E (15.2%), total flavonoids (0.28%), and total phenols (0.7%)—holds the promise of contributing significantly to the human diet while aligning with the RDI and dietary guidelines, as documented in studies, further underscoring its potential to meet nutritional needs and enhance health, thus supporting its consideration for commercialisation.