Proximate Analysis of Parinari curatellifolia Fruit Pulp of Fruit from Parts of Harare and a Rural Area in Zimbabwe

C. Benhura, M.A.N. Benhura, M. Muchuweti, S.F. Nyagura and P.E. Gombiro

Parinari curatellifolia fruit pulp for fruit collected from Harare and Mahusekwa was analysed for dry matter, mineral ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre. The results for samples from Harare suburbs (CR, GR and PR) were; dry matter (27±0 to 34.5±0.4%, fresh weight), mineral ash (1.1±0 to 1.5±0.2% dry weight, DW), crude protein (1.1±0.1 to 1.4±0% DW), crude fat (0.7±0.2 to 1.7±0.2% DW), crude fibre (1.4±0.2 to 2.0±0.2 DW) and carbohydrates (21.4±0.3 to 28.9±0.4%). The pulp of fruit from Harare Airport (HAR) and Mahusekwa (MH) had dry matter (87±1 to 87.5±0.1% fresh weight), mineral ash (3.1±0.3% DW), crude protein (2.3±0.1 to 2.9±0% DW), crude fat (2.0±0.4 to 2.0±0% DW), crude fibre (5.2±0.2 - 6.0±0.4% DW) and carbohydrates (73.6±0.5 to 75±1%). The energy of fruit from Harare suburbs ranged from 446±2 to 542±11kJ/100g and that for pulp of fruit from Harare Airport and Mahusekwa was 1373±8 to1384±20kJ/100g. Carbohydrates constituted the highest nutrient component of Parinari curatellifolia fruit pulp. Pulp containing fruit skin had higher concentrations of nutrients measured than pulp without skins.