The Composition of African Baobab Leaves and Fruits in Different Regions and Habitats: Contribution to Food Security and Nutritional Intervention

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to discover a new plant resource with an adequate and healthy composition, such as the African baobab, to improve food security and contribute to nutritional intervention in rural and urban communities (different age groups in Sudan, Kenya, and Senegal). A protocol is proposed for nutritional intervention using dried baobab leaves and fruit pulp powder to achieve the daily recommended reference values for proteins and minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, and Mn) for different target groups. Specific objectives included the determination of regional differences in nutrient content, such as protein, fat, ash, dry matter, pH, minerals (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Mn), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and total flavonoid compounds (TFC) and Estimation of the amount of dried baobab leaves and fruit pulp powder required to meet the daily protein and mineral requirements of different age groups of the target. population.