Kernel morphometric characteristics and oil content among Shea tree genotypes in Uganda

Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica) is an important commercial tree for domestic oil and industrial products of cosmetics, chocolate and other confectionaries traded grown worldwide. We studied seed morphometric characteristics and crude oil content of Shea nuts in Uganda. Five populations, comprising of 16 ethnovarieties, were selected from Eastern, Northern and West Nile Sub-regions of Uganda, based on their attributes as judged by the farmers. Fresh kernel weight ranged from 2 to 18.85 mg per seed. Kernel weight increased with Shea fruit weight (y = 0.1499x + 6.1887, R² = 0.306). Moyo district had the highest oil content (54.37 ± 0.32%); while Amuru district had the lowest oil content (50.5 ± 1.32%). Oil content decreased with increasing kernel size (y = -0.4541x + 57.303, R² = 0.2116) and dry matter content (y = 0.635x - 9.863, R²= 0.011); and varied between ethnovarieties and Shea tree populations, p = 0.003 and P< 0.001, respectively. Tinny seeded (45.7 - 65.49%), Round fruited (45.41 - 65.91%), Dwarf tree (45.19 - 64.19%), Elliptical fruited (45.32 - 64.19%) and Soft pulped (42.16 - 69.77%) ethnovarieties had the highest oil content. Narrow sense heritability (h2) for oil yield was 1.72; while response to selection (R) was 16.48 with genetic gain (Gs) of 2.21%, given 10% top selection intensity

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

The desert date ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) is one of the neglected staple crops of growing importance in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, information on its nutritional composition is still lacking, thus limiting their wider use and promotion. This study was designed to determine the nutritional composition of various parts of B. aegyptiaca eaten by Ugandans. Samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts in Uganda. Dry matter content of the leaves, flowers and fruit pulp ranged from 95% in fruit pulp, to 98% in leaves and flowers. Ash content of the leaves and flowers was 8.07%; while that of the fruit pulp was 6.97%. Fat content of the leaves (2.29%) was significantly higher than that in fruit pulp (0.37%). Similarly, crude protein content was greater in the leaves and flowers (16.95%) than in the fruit pulp (5.4%). The leaves and flowers were generally richer in macronutrients than in fruit pulp in the order of K>Na>Mg with mean values of 19.54, 3.32 and 1.26 mg g-1. Iron was the most abundant micronutrient in all Balanites parts. This was followed by Mn, Zn and Cu with mean values of 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 and 25.49 \ub5g g-1, respectively. A similar trend was found in fruit pulp. There is a need to determine the level of anti-nutritional factors in Balanites products and the effect of different leaf preparation methods on nutrient availability to further guide their wide usage.Le dattier du desert ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) est une culture de base negligee qui cro\ueet dans les milieux \ue0 s\ue9cheresse et sujets aux famines en Uganda. Malheureusement, l\u2019information sur sa composition nutritionnelle est encore manquante, ainsi limitant son utilisation et sa promotion. Cette Vtude Vtait conduite pour d\ue9terminer la composition de B.aegyptiaca dans diff\ue9rentes parties consomm\ue9es par les ougandais. Des \ue9chantillons \ue9taient collect\ue9es dans les districts de Katakwi, Adjumani et Moroto en Ouganda. Le contenu en mati\ue8re s\ue8che des feuilles, des fleurs et des pulpes de fruits variait de 95% dans les pulpes de fruits, \ue0 98% dans les feuilles et fleurs. Le contenu en cendre des feuilles et fleurs \ue9tait 8.07% et 6.97% dans les pulpes de fruits. Le contenu en mati\ue8res grasse dans les feuilles (2.29%) \ue9tait significativement plus \ue9lev\ue9es que celui des pulpes de fruits (0.37%). De fa\ue7on similaire, le contenu en protein brute des fleurs \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 dans les feuilles et fleurs (16.95%) que dans la pulpe de fruits (5.4%). Les feuilles et les fleurs \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement plus riches en macronutriements que dans la pulpe de fruits dans l\u2019ordre de K>Na>Mg avec de valeurs maoyennes de 19.54, 3.32 et 1.26 mg g-1. Le fer \ue9tait le miconutriment plus abundant dans toutes les parties de Balanites. Ceci \ue9tait suivi de Mn, Zn et Cu avec pour valeurs moyennes 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 et 25.49 \ub5g g-1, respectivement. Une tendance similaire \ue9tait observ\ue9e dans la pulpe de fruits. Le besoin s\u2019impose de d\ue9terminer le niveau des facteurs anti-nutritionnels dans les produits de Balanites et l\u2019effet de diff\ue9rentes m\ue9thodes de pr\ue9paration des feuilles sur la disponibilit\ue9 de nutriments pour guider leur vaste usage

Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Fatty Acid Profile of Desert date Kernel Oil

The desert date ( Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.) is an indigenous fruit tree, common in the arid and semi-arid lands of Africa. Its fruits, available in the height of the dry season, contain edible pulp which is an important food for both humans and livestoCk. Balanites kernel is a source of highly regarded edible and medicinal oil. Both the fruits and oil are trade items in the west Nile sub-region of Uganda. Because of its growing importance as a source of food and income for dryland communities, an assessment of the physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of kernel oil in Uganda was carried out. Balanites fruit samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts; representing the Teso, West Nile and Karamoja tree populations, respectively. Balanites kernels constituted 19.5% of the nuts, and kernel oil yield was 44.5% (v/v or w/w). The oil was light yellow with a refractive index of 1.46 at 20 oC and viscosity of 15.75 - 22.60 cSt at 40 oC. The saponification value of the oil was 186.28 mg KOH g-1; while the acid value was generally low (1.33 -1.95 mg KOH g-1). Iodine value ranged from 98.20 to 103.32 I2 g 100 g-1. Four major fatty acids; linoleic (39.85%), (oleic 25.74%), stearic (19.01%) and palmitic (15.40%) were found in Balanites oil. This gives a high percentage of the nutritionally beneficial unsaturated fatty acids (65.6%). Balanites kernel oil is a good source of essential unsaturated fatty acids. Attempts should be made to increase its utilisation through improved proCessing and packaging for the benefit of rural and peri-urban communities.Le dattier du desert ( Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.) est un arbre fruitier indigène commun des milieux arides et semi-arides d’Afrique. Ses fruits, disponibles dans la saison sèche contient une pulpe comestible constituant un aliment important pour l’alimentation humaine et le bétail. Le grain de Balanites est une source reconnue d’huile comestible et médecinale. D’autre part, les fruits et l’huile ensemble sont commerciables dans la sous-région ouest du Nile en Ouganda.Du fait de sa grande importance comme source d’aliment et de revenu pour les communautés des régions arides, une évaluation des caractéristiques physico-chimiques et le taux d’acide gras dans les huiles de graines était conduite en Ouganda. Des échantillons de fruits de balanites étaient collectés dans les districts de Katakwi, Adjumani et Moroto représentant la région de Teso, la partie Ouest du Nile et les populations d’arbres de Karamoja, respectivement. Les graines de Balanites constituaient 19.5% des noix, et le rendement en huile était de 44.5% (v/v or w/w). L’huile était jaune claire avec un indice de refraction de 1.46 at 20 oC et une viscosité de 15.75 - 22.60 cSt à 40 oC. La valeur de saponification de l’huile était de 186.28 mg KOH g-1; pendant que la valeur de l’acide était généralement basse (1.33 -1.95 mg KOH g-1). La valeur de l’Iodine variait de 98.20 à 103.32 I2 g 100 g-1. Quatre acides gras majeurs dont l’acide linoléique (39.85%), oléique (25.74%), stéarique (19.01%) et palmitique (15.40%) étaient trouvé dans l’huile de Balanites. Ceci donne un pourcentage élevé d’acides gras insaturés nutritionnellement bénéfiques (65.6%). L’huile des graines de Balanites est une bonne source d’acides gras essentiels insaturés. Plus d’efforts devront être fait pour accroître son utilisation à travers des procédvs améliorés et emballage pour le bénéfice des communautés rurales et peri-urbaines

Physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of desert date kernel oil in Uganda

Includes abstract in FrenchBecause of its importance as a source of food and income for dryland communities, an assessment of the physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of kernel oil was carried out. Both the fruits and oil are trade items in the west Nile sub-region of Uganda. Balanites kernel oil is a good source of essential unsaturated fatty acids. Attempts should be made to increase its utilization through improved processing and packaging. As a multipurpose tree, B. aegyptiaca offers food, medicines, cosmetics, fodder, fuelwood and pesticides valued for subsistence living in the arid and semi-arid areas where other options are few

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

The desert date ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) is one of the neglected staple crops of growing importance in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, information on its nutritional composition is still lacking, thus limiting their wider use and promotion. This study was designed to determine the nutritional composition of various parts of B. aegyptiaca eaten by Ugandans. Samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts in Uganda. Dry matter content of the leaves, flowers and fruit pulp ranged from 95% in fruit pulp, to 98% in leaves and flowers. Ash content of the leaves and flowers was 8.07%; while that of the fruit pulp was 6.97%. Fat content of the leaves (2.29%) was significantly higher than that in fruit pulp (0.37%). Similarly, crude protein content was greater in the leaves and flowers (16.95%) than in the fruit pulp (5.4%). The leaves and flowers were generally richer in macronutrients than in fruit pulp in the order of K>Na>Mg with mean values of 19.54, 3.32 and 1.26 mg g-1. Iron was the most abundant micronutrient in all Balanites parts. This was followed by Mn, Zn and Cu with mean values of 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 and 25.49 µg g-1, respectively. A similar trend was found in fruit pulp. There is a need to determine the level of anti-nutritional factors in Balanites products and the effect of different leaf preparation methods on nutrient availability to further guide their wide usage.Le dattier du desert ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) est une culture de base negligee qui croît dans les milieux à sécheresse et sujets aux famines en Uganda. Malheureusement, l’information sur sa composition nutritionnelle est encore manquante, ainsi limitant son utilisation et sa promotion. Cette Vtude Vtait conduite pour déterminer la composition de B.aegyptiaca dans différentes parties consommées par les ougandais. Des échantillons étaient collectées dans les districts de Katakwi, Adjumani et Moroto en Ouganda. Le contenu en matière sèche des feuilles, des fleurs et des pulpes de fruits variait de 95% dans les pulpes de fruits, à 98% dans les feuilles et fleurs. Le contenu en cendre des feuilles et fleurs était 8.07% et 6.97% dans les pulpes de fruits. Le contenu en matières grasse dans les feuilles (2.29%) était significativement plus élevées que celui des pulpes de fruits (0.37%). De façon similaire, le contenu en protein brute des fleurs était plus élevé dans les feuilles et fleurs (16.95%) que dans la pulpe de fruits (5.4%). Les feuilles et les fleurs étaient généralement plus riches en macronutriements que dans la pulpe de fruits dans l’ordre de K>Na>Mg avec de valeurs maoyennes de 19.54, 3.32 et 1.26 mg g-1. Le fer était le miconutriment plus abundant dans toutes les parties de Balanites. Ceci était suivi de Mn, Zn et Cu avec pour valeurs moyennes 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 et 25.49 µg g-1, respectivement. Une tendance similaire était observée dans la pulpe de fruits. Le besoin s’impose de déterminer le niveau des facteurs anti-nutritionnels dans les produits de Balanites et l’effet de différentes méthodes de préparation des feuilles sur la disponibilité de nutriments pour guider leur vaste usage

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

Includes abstract in FrenchBalanites products offer great opportunity to reduce malnutrition, contribute to food security and reduce poverty among dryland communities. The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is a neglected crop in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. This study determines the nutritional composition of B. aegyptiaca edible parts in Uganda so as to promote their wider utilization. Results reveal that Balanites leaves, flowers and fruit pulp are good sources of proteins, Fe, K, Mn, Zn and Cu thus contributing substantial amounts of macro and micronutrients to human diet. However, leaves and flowers were nutritionally superior to fruit pulp

Factors affecting adoption of Agroforestry by women and youths in Mt. Elgon Region, Uganda

With the majority of the world’s poor living and working in developing countries, investment in agroforestry will only make sense if it addresses challenges of specific farming contexts. Even though agroforestry is beneficial to stakeholders in several ways, it has received mixed reactions from farming communities in the developing countries. Accordingly, adoption of “new” technologies has not been as fast as desired (Mwase2015). In Uganda agroforestry is spearheaded by the women and youth because they comprise a critical labor force on farm. In the Mt.Elgon region, interest in agroforestry technologies is low and yet prevailing soil and water management challenges require robust mechanism to addresst hem. Amongst them, is the integration of specific trees/shrubs on farms. A survey was undertaken in this region to assess the factors affecting adoption of agroforestry amongst women and youths. The objectives were to i) assess the socio- economic characteristics of farmers, ii) assess the benefits from agroforestry technologies and iii) identify challenges, incentives and strategies towards adoption of agroforestry among the women and youths

Variation in Seedling Germinationand Growth in Five Populations Ofvitellariaparadoxa C.F. Gaertn.subsp. Nilotica: A Threatenedusefulfruit Tree Species in Uganda

We studied seedlings germination and growth performance in an economically and socially important fruit tree species of Vitellaria paradoxaC.F. Gaertn.subsp. nilotica (Kotschy) in Uganda. The study aimed at determining variability in germination of the five shea tree seed lots and seedlings growth performance based on their growth traits. Five populations were considered from four agroecological zones of Uganda and 180 candidates plus trees (16 ethnovarieties) selected as seed trees based on their traits for faster growth and high oil yield. A total of 1204 biological seeds were collected and sown in a general tree nursery at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NgeZARDI)during the month of June 2018 in a randomized incomplete block design with three replications. Significant variation (χ = 526; p < 0.01) was observed in seedling phenotypic traits within and between populations. Regression equation for height growth and leaf size index were given asy = 0.3787 + 12.671x and y = 0.6483 + 15.413x respectively. Root collar diameter was more correlated to leaf size index (0.425) than to height growth (0.30). Clustering of shea tree seedlings based on phenotypic growth traits revealed one aggregated cluster indicating that most of the seedlings from the five populations were similar (Jaccard index 0.92, p < 0.01). However, clustering based on SNP markers revealed three different populations. We recorded higher growth (χ = 708; p< 0.001) in Arua shea population (19.69 cm)compared to the population average (19.04 cm). Red seeded; thin pulped and hairy fruited shea tree ethnovarieties assumed faster growth than the rest. The phenotypic analysis of shea tree seedlings revealed some fast-growing genotypes from the five studied populations. Thesegenotypes can be selected for faster growth for shea tree breeding in Uganda