2021, Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part A

author(s)
Bonifácio José Mausse, François Munyemana, Amália Uamusse and Alice Manjate

abstract
Mozambique possesses a widespread variety of edible wild plants with high nutritional and medicinal value. The impact of these fruits in the diet depends on the availability, the species and varies according to the region and its cultural traditions. Initiatives were developed and technologies adapted to process indigenous fruits of spontaneous occurrence into saleable products such as spirits (liquor), sweets and jams. The products were approved for human consumption by the Ministry of Health, but it is necessary to evaluate their physical-chemical, phytochemical and nutritional properties. The method of Folin-Ciocalteu was used to the determination of total phenolic and free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl sequestration was used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The pulps of Vangueria infausta and Strychnos spinosa exhibited CI₅₀ 1,348 e 1,137 mg/l, respectively, the derivatives, exhibited CI₅₀ 13,786 e 4,485 mg/l for liquor and jams of Vangueria infausta, respectively and CI₅₀ 5,016 mg/l for liquor of Strychnos spinosa. The pulps of Vangueria infausta and Strychnos spinosa showed higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity than the corresponding derivatives.