Evaluating the nutritional value of fruits of two edible wild monkey kola species of West African origin

Monkey kola is a common name given to the edible wild relatives of West African kolanut. These are neglected and underutilized indigenous tropical fruit species growing in the West and Central African forests. Knowledge on the nutrient and antinutrient composition of the fruits is highly inadequate. In this study, mature fruits of two wild monkey kola species (Cola pachycarpa and Cola lepidota) were air-dried, milled, and stored in air-tight containers. They were evaluated for phytochemical, proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions. The nutrient compositions were determined using standard AOAC methods. Gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for antinutrient determinations. The two species of monkey kola were found to be rich in both nutrients and antinutrients. However, there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the proximate, mineral, and vitamin compositions of the two varieties. Cola lepidota was richer in moisture, protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, while Cola pachycarpa was richer in ash content, crude fiber, magnesium, potassium, sodium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Regarding phytochemicals, Cola lepidota was richer in alkaloids, while Cola pachycarpa was richer in flavonoids. However, there were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the two monkey kola species in their saponin, tannin, and phytate compositions. The abundance of a wide variety of minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds in both kola species justifies their wide consumption by natives in regions where they grow. The fruits of these species should be fully exploited for their potential health benefits.