Vitamin Contents and Nutritive Contribution of Flours of Palmyra New Shoots Enriched with Moringa oleifera Leaves and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Powders

The aim of this study is to contribute to a better valorization of Borassus aethiopum by the content determination in vitamin of new shoots of Palmyra-based enriched flour, also to evaluate the nutritive contributions from the consumption.

Fifteen composite flours gotten from flours of B. aethiopum, M. oleifera leaves and V. unguiculata beans powders previously treated, Borassus aethiopum new shoots flour, and two commercial control flours (ET1 and ET2) were analysed. HPLC techniques were used for the separation and quantification of β-carotene and vitamin E and the water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B9). Vitamin C contained in analyzed samples was determined by titration. Also, estimated daily intake has been evaluated for 1- to 2-year-old.

The water-soluble vitamins analysis gave for 100 grams of dry matter the following contents: vitamin C (23.58 - 60.03 mg), vitamin B1 (0.21 - 1.00 mg), vitamin B2 (0.29 - 1.09 mg), vitamin B6 (0.0 - 1.00 mg) and vitamin B9 (0.22 - 0.41 mg). The studied flours provided the fat-soluble vitamins contents following: β-carotene (111.67 - 960 ER/100 g) and vitamin E (0.00 - 15.95 mg/100 g). The average daily amount of flour consumed by a 1- to 2-year-old in Africa is 250 g. The contributions estimated in vitamins a 250-gram flours EF07 or EE09 were similar to those provided with the references flours used in this study.

The popularization of these composite food formulations could help to ensure the food security of populations, preserve biodiversity and promote the fight against poverty and the advancement of the desert.