Evaluating the Nutritional Value of Fruits of Two Edible Wild Monkey Kola Species of West African Origin

Abstract

Monkey kola is a common name given to the edible wild relatives of the West African kolanut. These are neglected and underutilized indigenous tropical fruit species growing in the West and Central African forests. Knowledge of the nutrient and antinutrient composition of the fruits is highly inadequate. In this study, mature fruits of two wild monkey kola species (Cola pachycarpa and Cola lepidota) were collected and evaluated for phytochemical, proximate, vitamin and mineral composition. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the proximate, mineral, and vitamin composition of the two species. C. lepidota was richer in moisture, protein, fat, alkaloids, phosphorus, calcium, and iron, while C. pachycarpa was richer in ash content, crude fibre, flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the two monkey kola species in their saponins, tannins and phytate composition. The abundance of a wide variety of minerals, vitamins and other bioactive compounds in both kola species justifies their wide consumption by natives in regions where they grow. The fruits of these species should be fully exploited for their potential health benefits.