Biochemical Characteristics and Nutritional Profile of the Stem Bark Extracts from the Red Variety of Byttneria catalpifolia, an Edible Wild Plant Growing in the Western Part of Côte d’Ivoire

Aims: This study evaluates the biochemical characteristics and nutritional profile of stem bark extracts of the red variety of Byttneria catalpifolia, an edible wild plant used as a stem vegetable in the western part of Côte d’Ivoire.

Study Design: Dried bark powder and mucilage extracted from the fresh bark of the red variety of B. catalpifolia were used to evaluate biochemical composition, minerals and nutritional profile.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology (UFR-STA), University Nangui Abrogoua, between January 2015 and December 2017.

Methodology: The study was carried out on the mucilage extracted from the fresh bark and the dried bark powder of B. catalpifolia. Then, the biochemical composition and the nutritional profile were determined.

Results: The proximate analysis revealed high rates of ashes (11.51%), crude fibre (50.33%), reducing sugar (26.37%), total sugar (44.88%), caloric energy (135.18 Kcal /100g dw) in Bark powder while the amount of protein (6.01%) and carbohydrate (30.95%) were moderate and that of fat was low. Mucilage showed a content of ashes (3.82%), total sugar (24.84%), carbohydrate (87.79%) and caloric energy (336.19 Kcal /100g dw) whereas the rate of crude fibre (0.5%), reducing sugar (1.80%) and fat (0.6%) found to be low and that protein (7.29%) was moderate. This study indicated that the both samples contained the amino acids and organic acids. The results also showed the both samples appeared to be good sources of minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Conclusion: The bark extracts of the red variety of B. catalpifolia contain appreciable amounts of nutrients. Their nutritional profile by SAIN and LIM method showed that they belong to the group of foods recommended for health.