Nutritional and Antioxidant Values of the Black Plum (*Vitex doniana*)

*Koba Fatou Traore, Kisselmina Youssouf Kone, Amédée Pascal Ahi, Doudjo Soro, Nogbou Emmanuel Assidjo and Marianne Sindic*

## **Abstract**

This study was conducted to first determine the nutritional potential and the antioxidant activity of black plum fruit pulp and peel. For these characterizations, classic methods were used. The results indicated high fibre and ash contents of black plum from all localities studied, ranging, respectively, from 34.79 ± 0.07–39.83 ± 1.85% and 4.91 ± 0.45–5.91 ± 0.41% for pulp, and 46.38 ± 0.09–50.21 ± 1.07% and 4.16 ± 0.81–4.28 ± 0.20% for peel. The mineral analysis revealed that Black plum pulp and peel are high in potassium (1863.00 ± 1.4–2584.55 ± 3.54 mg/100 g dry weight [DW]) and calcium (355.30 ± 2.52–389.52 ± 3.54 mg/100 g DW). Both the peel and pulp are characterised by a good essential amino acids profile of the protein. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents of pulp and peel ranged from 202.51 ± 4.19 to 463.45 ± 6.85 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of Dry Weight (DW), 75.71 ± 1.03 to 145.55 ± 1.03 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g DW, and from 1.91 ± 0.08 to 8.28 ± 0.83 mg cyanidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside equivalent (C3GE)/100 g DW respectively. Thus, these fruits constitute a good source of important nutrients for health.

**Keywords:** Nutritional values, antioxidant, black plum, valorization

## **1. Introduction**

Fruits and vegetables have always been considered as essential sources of micronutrients and dietary fibre for the body to function properly. Moreover, regular fruit consumption is recommended for disease prevention and health benefits due to the nutrient composition of fruits, which includes vitamins, minerals, fibre and bioactive compounds [1]. In Côte d'Ivoire, these nutrients are generally delivered by some cultivated tropical fruit, including mangoes, papaya, citrus fruit, as well as imported temperate climate fruit, such as apple, pear and grape [2]. These tropical fruits are often not readily accessible to the populations beyond production time, especially in the developing countries due to their high cost or scarcity in the local market [3, 4]. However, these shortages correspond to the production stage of some wild fruit-bearing species, underutilised because of the limited knowledge

regarding their nutritional values. Assessing the quantitative and qualitative value of this fruit (including peel, pulp and seed) could reveal novel food sources with potential health-protective properties.

Among these wild plant resources, black plum (*Vitex doniana*) is an abundant and widespread species in tropical countries, such as Côte d'Ivoire [5–8]. In Côte d'Ivoire, it is found, for example, in Pakobo, Ahiérémou and Zougoussi, located in the centre of the country [9], Seguela in the west–north, Korhogo and Tingrela in the north [10], and Bondoukou in the east–north region [11]. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves and bark, have been used for many decades by some rural populations to treat diabetes, ulcer, diarrhoea, dysentery, asthma, insomnia and various other illnesses. The fruit of this species is an ellipsoid drupe of about 2.5–3.0 cm in height and 2.0–2.5 cm in diameter, and rich in sugar [12, 13]. The unripe fruit is green but turn brown–black when ripe, and are eaten raw [9, 14]. Nutritional analyses indicate that black plum is a good source of vitamins, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C [15–18]. In addition, the pulp provides useful quantities of flavonoids with strong antioxidant properties [19].

Interestingly, no comparative study between the nutritional composition of black plum pulp and peel has yet been carried out. This study sought to show the nutritional potential and antioxidant properties of black plum peel and pulp, by analysing the physicochemical and nutritional properties in order to contribute to the valorization of this fruit, produced in large quantities, even in some remote areas of Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in the regions of Ferke, Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro.

## **2. Materials and methods he entirety**

## **2.1 Sample preparation**

The ripe black plum were harvested in three Côte d'Ivoire localities: Ferkéssédougou (Ferke), Tiébissou and Yamoussoukro. The fresh fruit was washed with tap and distilled water, sequentially. After drying the fruit with a paper towel, the pulp and peel were separated by hand using a stainless-steel knife, dried in an oven (Memmert U30-Gemini BV, GmbH, Germany) at 50°C for 24 h, then milled using a miller (ZBK220077–88 LW74d(B) A, China. Milled pulp and peel were packaged in polyethylene bag using a vacuum packager (NG 10121 MULTIVAC, Belgium) and frozen at −19°C until analysis. All tests were realised in triplicate.

## **2.2 Chemical and biochemical analyses**

## *2.2.1 Ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate and dietary fibre contents*

Ash, crude protein, fat and total carbohydrate were determined by standard methods AOAC [20]. Dietary fibre was analysed by AOAC 991.43. [21], and total carbohydrates by the protocol reported by Bertrand and Thomas [22]. The energy value (kcal/100 g) was calculated by multiplying the protein, fat and carbohydrate contents (g) by factors of 4, 9 and 4 kcal/g, respectively.

## *2.2.2 Minerals analysis*

Dried pulp and peel (0.5 g in each case) of Black plum were transferred to digestion flasks containing 5 mL of HCl/HNO3 (1:3). After 2 h of slowly boiling, the mixture was cooled at room temperature, then 50 mL of distilled water was added

## *Nutritional and Antioxidant Values of the Black Plum (*Vitex doniana*) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99129*

and followed by filtration. The cooled solution was placed in flasks and transferred to the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Analyst 200, Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) for mineral determination. The phosphorous was measured spectrophotometrically. Standard calibration curves constructed for each element were used for direct quantification.

## *2.2.3 Amino acid analysis*

The black plum pulp and peel amino acids composition was determined based on a previous method [23]. Duplicate samples were hydrolysed by transferring around 50 mg of sample weighed accurately in a 15 mL flask in which 5 mL of HCl (6.0 N) was added. The flask was closed under vacuum, nitrogen-purged and digested at 110°C for 24 h. Sulphur-containing amino acids were determined by using performic acid. The amino acids were analysed using a Biochrom 20+ amino acid analyser, Cambridge, United. Kingdom).

## *2.2.4 Phenols extraction*

Phenols were extracted by the method of Soro et al. [19]. Dried V. doniana pulp and peel samples (1 g) were homogenised in 10 mL solution of 80% methanol and 2% formic acid, using an Ultra TurraxT25 basic homogeniser (Heldoph Instruments D-91126, Schabach, Germany) at room temperature. The homogenate was sonicated for 30 min in a Bandelin electronic RK 541 H sonicator (Heinrichstrasse 3–4 D-12207, Germany) and then centrifuged at 9400 × g for 25 min in a DBS centrifuger (PCB 1500, Italy). The supernatant was collected and the precipitate extracted again with 10 mL of 80% methanol, under the conditions previously described. The two supernatants were mixed and filtered using Whatman filter paper No.1. The final methanolic extract was stored at 25°C to be used in determination of total phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanin contents.

## *2.2.4.1 Determination of total phenols*

Total phenolic compounds (TPC) determination was performed as described by Gao et al. [24] Phenolic extract (100 μL) was mixed with 0.2 mL Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (Sigma), 2 mL of H2O and 1 mL of 15% Na2CO3 and the absorbance measured at 765 nm in a spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific™ 75003631, ThermoFisher Scientific SAS, Strasbourg, France) after 2 h incubation at room temperature. Gallic acid was used for the calibration curve with a concentration range from 0 to 200 mg/L. Total phenols were expressed as mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g DW.

## *2.2.4.2 Determination of total flavonoids*

Total flavonoid (TF) contents were determined according method used by Meda et al. [25], but slightly modified. A volume of 0.5 mL of sample methanolic extract was diluted in 0.5 mL of distilled water. Then, 0.5 mL of aluminium chloride 10% (w/v) and the same volume of 1 M sodium acetate was added. Finally, 2 mL of distilled water was added and absorption reading at 415 nm was taken after 30 min against a blank sample consisting of a 4 mL methanolic extract without aluminium chloride. Quercetin was used for the calibration curve with a concentration range from 0 to 3.125 mg/mL. Results were expressed as mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g DW.

## **2.3 Statistical analysis**

All data were analysed using ANOVA based on Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test at p < 0.05. Software RStudio version 1.2.1335 2009–2019 was used, and triple analyses were performed. The results were presented as mean ± standard deviation.

## **3. Results and discussion**

The nutritional composition of black plum pulp and peel harvested in three localities of Côte d'Ivoire (Ferke, Tiébissou and Yamoussoukro) are given in **Figures 1**–**3**. Values are compared on a dry weight (DW) basis, except for moisture content.

## **Figure 1.**

*Comparison between the nutritional composition of pulp and peel of Vitex doniana fruit harvested in Ferke, Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro.*

## **Figure 2.**

*Comparison between pulp and peel amino acid contents of black plum harvested in Ferke, Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro.*

*Nutritional and Antioxidant Values of the Black Plum (*Vitex doniana*) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99129*

## **Figure 3.**

*Comparison between pulp and peel micromineral contents of Vitex doniana fruit harvested in Ferke, Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro.*

## **3.1 Ash content**

There was no significant difference between pulp and peel of fruit among the localities, but the ash contents of Ferke and Tiebissou fruit pulps were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of Yamoussoukro (**Figure 1**).

These results contrast sharply with those of previous authors, notably, Soro et al. [19], who obtained average ash contents of 1.4% and 3.53%, respectively, for the fruit pulp of V. doniana harvested in V-Baoulé and Nord of Côte d'Ivoire. Comparatively higher ash contents of 11.50% were reported by Vunchi et al. [18], whereas Agbede and Ibitoye [16] stated levels (5.1%) similar to the current work. In addition, compared with the pulp from fruit of the same genus, the ash content found here is higher than that of baobab (4.5 ± 0.2%; Magdi, 2004) and avocado (2.1 ± 0.6%; [26]).

This ash content variation within the same fruit and between the same species may be due to the water content and soil properties [27]. The ash content of food reflects its total mineral content, and so Black plum would be a valuable source of minerals.

## **3.2 Protein content**

Pulp and peel protein contents of Black plum ranged from 2.11 ± 0.15 to 2.28 ± 0.16% (**Figure 1**). A markedly higher protein content (2.61 ± 0.07%) occurred in the peel of fruit from Yamoussoukro than Ferke and Tiebissou, respectively, of 2.35 ± 0.10 and 2.40 ± 0.13%, which had more protein in their pulps than peels (**Figure 1**). In comparison to these data, higher protein values (3.04%) have been recorded for Black plum in Uganda by Acipa et al. [15], and in the work by Jacob et al. [28] for *Strychnos spinosa* (8.72 ± 0.02%), *Diospyros mespiliformis* (6.99 ± 0.02%) and *Dialium guineense* (5.23 ± 0.01%). The fruit pulps studied have a low protein content, as per most fruits [26]. Protein contents are known to influenced by the soil composition, including nitrogen content [29].

## **3.3 Fat content**

Black plum pulp has a markedly lower fat content (0.20 ± 0.03–0.66 ± 0.16%) than the pulp of strawberry (2.1 ± 0.16%; [30]), as well as mango (5.9 ± 0.05%), passion fruit (0.8 ± 0.4%) and pineapple (1.8 ± 0.03%) studied by Martinez et al. [31], Although black plum peel (0.97 ± 0.37–1.46 ± 0.33%) had a higher fat content relative to the pulp, it is still low in fat (**Figure 1**), particularly when considering the fat content of tomato peel (6.01 ± 0.13%; [32]. From these results, Black plum is not a useful source of lipids.

## **3.4 Total carbohydrates content**

Both the pulp and peel studied in this work, are low in carbohydrate. Yamoussoukro pulp samples were the highest in carbohydrate compared with the other samples (**Figure 1**), while fruit from Ferke showed intermediate carbohydrate contents (7.94 ± 0.36%). Nonetheless, both values were lower than those found in the pulp of Black plum from Burkina Faso (19.68–20.25%; [33]) and Nigeria (28.40 ± 1.06%; [16]), as well as the pulp of some other fruits, including mango (11.9 ± 0.41% DW) but close to the fruit of *Adansonia digitata* (8.25 ± 0.03– 9.25 ± 0.21%; [33]). The age of the tree, and environmental factors, such as climate and soil, could be the basis of the observed differences because Ferke is located in a dry savanna zone, with a very hot and dry climate (Sudanese climate) and ferralitic soils [34, 35], while Yamoussoukro and Tiebissou, located in mesophilous and savanna wooded areas, respectively, have a Baoulean climate, both with moderately desaturated ferralitic soils [36].

Among the localities, Ferke (6.49 ± 0.00%) corresponded to fruit peel with the highest total carbohydrate content, while an average of 4.36% carbohydrate occurred in the peel of fruit harvested in Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro. Comparatively richer sources of carbohydrate are the peels of mango Raspuri (28.20 ± 0.60% DW), mango Badami (20.80 ± 0.20% DW; [37]) and tomato (32.16 ± 1.11% DW; [38]). However, fruit pulp contained the most carbohydrates whatever the locality (**Figure 1**). The high carbohydrate content of Ferke fruit peel would be linked to the climate, as this region is located in the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire where a generally high temperature occurs. Given the Black plum are low in carbohydrate, it can be concluded that regular consumption of this fruit would be beneficial for people with obesity, who are most often subject to a diet restricted in carbohydrates.

## **3.5 Dietary fibre**

This study showed that dietary fibre is a main component in the pulp (34.79 ± 0.07–39.83 ± 1.85%) and peel (46.38 ± 0.09–50.21 ± 1.07%) of Black plum harvested in the three localities of Côte d'Ivoire. The dietary fibre levels in the pulp of Black plum are high when considering the amounts present in the pulp of white guava (3.50 ± 0.01%; [39]) and Deglet-Nour and Allig date varieties (14.4 ± 1.12% and 18, 0.45%; [40]. Moreover, the values obtained in this work approximate those recorded by Grigelmo-Miguel and Martín-Belloso [41] for the three orange varieties, Navel (35.4 ± 1.4%), Salustiana (35.9 ± 0.5%) and Valencia Late (36.9 ± 0.3%), which are well-recognised as sources of dietary fibre.

In addition, black plum peel displayed a much higher level of dietary fibre than some other fruit peels too, especially avocado (43.9 ± 2.7%), pineapple (16.3 ± 2.5%) and papaya (16.6 ± 2.2%) [42]. Interestingly, the peel fibre contents were significantly higher for the fruit harvested in Yamoussoukro (46.38 ± 0.09–50.21 ± 1.07%)

*Nutritional and Antioxidant Values of the Black Plum (*Vitex doniana*) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99129*

than Ferke and Tiebissou (**Figure 1**). This trend could be explained as a fruit defence against heat stress. Ferke and Tiebissou fruit pulp results agree well with results found by Lamghari et al. [43], Gorinstein et al. [44] and Morais et al. [26]. Similar to the present study, these authors also obtained significantly higher (p < 0.05) dietary fibre values in the studied peels than pulps. It is well known that diets high in dietary fibre are associated with the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as diverticular and coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes, besides contributing to weight loss in individuals with obesity [45, 46].

Based on the results observed, black plum is a potentially good dietary fibre source and could contribute towards the prevention and treatment of several degenerative diseases. Therefore, these fruits could be included in some food formulations for possible fibre enrichment.

## **3.6 Amino acids**

Similarly to most fruits, such as apple [47], medlar [48], strawberry [49] and tomato [50], the main amino acids present in Black plum pulp were glutamic acid and aspartic acid, which had averages of 0.27 mg/100 g DW (**Table 1**). Conversely, the peels were particularly high in threonine and proline, with mean contents of 0.29 ± 0.01 and 0.27 ± 0.01 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Furthermore, the percentages of essential amino acids in the protein of black plum pulp and peel compare well with standard protein, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO; **Table 2**). In pulp protein, only two amino acids or amino acid pairs (methionine/ cysteine and lysine) had scores below 100%, of a few percentage points only or around 50% (lysine). However, only isoleucine (47.82–80.42%), lysine (41.60– 51.62%) and valine (30.80–41.43%) percentages characterised the peel protein. In addition to Yamoussoukro fruit, Ferke and Tiebissou fruit pulps contained higher threonine, histidine and methionine amounts than their peels (**Figure 2**). The peels were rather rich in valine and leucine. Despite the low protein content, black plum protein has a good amino acids profile.

## **3.7 Mineral contents**

Regarding the macrominerals, all samples contained high amounts of potassium (K), followed by calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na). In addition, the main micro-minerals were iron (Fe), followed by manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn). The concentration ranges of K, Ca, Mg, P and Na in Black plum, were respectively, 1863.00 ± 1.41–2283 ± 1.41, 355.30 ± 2.52– 389.52 ± 3.54, 221.00 ± 1.41–255.5 ± 2.12, 118.00 ± 0.71–179.00 ± 2.83 and 38, 30 ± 7.77–53.33 ± 1.53 mg/100 g DW for the pulp, and 2155.50 ± 4.95–2584.55 ± 3.54, 301.50 ± 2.12–325.50 ± 0.00, 199.67 ± 1.15–250.00 ± 2.83, 105.50 ± 2.12–142.00 ± 1.41 and 39.70 ± 5.69–62.31 ± 2.08 mg/100 g DW for the peel (**Table 3**).

The pulp and peel of fruit collected in Tiébissou and Yamoussoukro exhibited the highest levels of K, while the lowest K levels (2155.50 ± 4.95 and 1863.00 ± 1.41 mg/100 g DW, respectively) occurred in those from Ferke. The K content of the fruit pulp of V. doniana in this work is higher than that obtained by Ladeji and Okoye [51] of 127.2 mg/100 g DW, and Vunchi et al. [18] of 15.70 ± 0.26 mg/100 g DW. In addition, the observed Black plum pulp and peel K contents are higher than those in banana (382 ± 15 and 337 ± 7 mg/100 g DW; [52]) and mango (185 ± 11 and 444 ± 13 mg/100 g DW; [53]. The pulps Ca concentrations were significantly similar (p > 0.05) among the localities, whereas Ca concentration was highest in Yamoussoukro fruit peel (389.52 ± 3.54 mg/100 g DW), and lowest in Tiebissou fruit peel (355.30 ± 2. 52 mg/100 g DW). In addition, except for Tiebissou



## **Table 1.**

*Amino acids contents (mg/100 g DW) of pulp and peel of black plum harvested in Ferke, Tiebissou and Yamoussoukro.*

## *Nutritional and Antioxidant Values of the Black Plum (*Vitex doniana*) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99129*

