Wild Fruits

To characterize indigenous and wild fruits in the region, fruits specimens and samples were collected from different areas of the region. These samples were subjected to laboratory analysis at the DOST laboratory for the nutrient composition, phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of the fruits. The characteristics of the plants, their fruits and their seeds were determined using the Characterization Guide of the Fruits Technical Working Group of the National Seed Industry Council, Bureau of Plant Industry. The fruits included in the study are, in their local names,: pulit(Microcos stylocarpa (Warb.) Burret), bagobo (Diplodiscus paniculatus), limuran(Calamus ornatus Blume var. philippinensis.Becc.), litoko(Calamus manilensis Wendl.), palali(Dillenia philippinensis), bayoyo(Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn), dagwey(Saurauia subglabra Merr.). The nutrient composition included moisture, ash, total fat, crude protein, carbohydrates, iron, calcium and sodium. The phytochemical composition of the fruit samples were in four parameters: flavonoids, antraquinones, tannins and saponins. The palali fruit is positive in flavonoids and antraquinones while negative in tannins and saponins. The bagobo seeds are positive only in saponins while negative in flavonoids, antraquinones and tannins. The pulit fruit is positive in flavonoids, antraquinones and saponins while negative in tannins. The litoco fruit is positive in flavonoids and antraquinones while negative in tannins and saponins. The pharmacological characteristics consisted of measures of zones of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The data show that the two species of bacteria tested were more susceptible to Palali fruit extract than to the Pulit fruit extract.

Zambia through focus-group discussions. Fruit collectors and roadside marketers provided locations of superior phenotypes (fruit load, size, and sweetness). About 73% of phenotypes were on cultivated land in Zambia, 66% were on forest reserves, and 15% were on cultivated land in Malawi. Phenotypes ranked superior by communities were indeed superior by scientists' criteria. Local knowledge on superior phenotypes resides with community fruit collectors. Combining local ecological knowledge with scientific approaches in a complementary manner facilitated superior phenotype identification within a relatively short period.

In the world we find a lot of local communities with specific sets of wild food sources that they know and use. Among these we find wild fruits, with a rich local knowledge base on use and eating habit. These are fruits that have not been domesticated and whose use, nutritional and economic value has been overlooked to a large extent. As they are not getting adequate attention, they are also not yielding the maximum potential that they have. By reviewing existing studies, this potential will be shown. Looking at some wild fruits in Africa, and the micronutrient deficiencies in the diets, there are a lot of gaps that these fruits could fill. For example, Ziziphus spina-christi is an excellent source of vitamin C, iron, potassium and zinc, and a good partial source of calcium, magnesium, and copper. Ficus sycomorus is an excellent source of iron, and a good partial source of calcium and magnesium. Adansonia digitata is a very good source of vitamin C, and a good partial source of iron, magnesium and calcium. Cordia africna, Carrisa edulis and Physalis minima are good sources of beta-carotene as vitamin A. Several more such fruits show similar properties. As these fruits are locally available, cheap, well known, and used simply educating people to use them in a targeted manner can help meet special micronutrient needs we have for iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc and folate sources.

Arbutus wild berries have been traditionally collected and appreciated in the Mediterranean region, although it is actually considered an underutilized fruit-tree species. Increasing the scarce knowledge about its nutritional composition and natural production may interest a broad range of scholars, such as ethnobotanists, chemists, nutritionists and anthropologists. The present study aims to provide original data on the nutritional value and the biomass production of wild strawberry-tree fruits, studying the variation of these characteristics in fruits harvested in different years, from two different Spanish areas. Macro and micronutrient composition of mature Arbutus unedo fruits have been analyzed, with particular attention to the content of some bioactive compounds (fiber, vitamin C as ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids, total phenolics, carotenoids, including lycopene) and the organic acids profile. The contribution to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) of this exotic fruit has also been calculated. Fruit crop volume per tree has been estimated as well in the wild strawberry-tree populations surveyed to provide a general framework for discussing the agronomic potential of the species. A wide variability in the nutrient composition of strawberry-tree fruits was found which shows that the analysis of many different samples from different origins and seasons are required to provide average reliable data about the chemical composition of wild fruits. From the results obtained, strawberry-tree fruits can be considered a very good source of health promoting compounds as vitamin C and dietary fiber (202.6 mg/100 g and 42.6% minimum contribution to RDAs, respectively). They are also rich in total available carbohydrates, sugars, potassium and secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, being poor in lipids and Na. These results, together with its high production may help to reinforce its consumption, as an alternative to the fruits available in the market or a source of bioactive compounds for dietary supplements or functional foods.