Introduction. Mango-based orchards in Senegal occur in a large diversity of cropping systems, but few typologies of these systems exist and none are associated with their comprehensive and quantitative analysis. In this study we defined and characterized the typology of these systems based on a quantitative assessment of their planting design, management, vegetative state, hedgerow structure and infestation by a major pest of mango, the Bactrocera invadens fly. Materials and methods. Multivariate analysis and clustering methods were applied to data from 64 mango-based orchards and their surrounding hedgerows sampled in the Dakar and Thiès regions, in Senegal. Results and discussion. Four types of cropping systems were identified according to orchard design and management patterns: (1) ‘No-input mango diversified orchards’, (2) ‘Low-input mango orchards’, (3) ‘Medium-input citrus-predominant orchards’ and (4) ‘Medium-input large mango- or citrus-predominant orchards’. Orchard characteristics varied among these patterns. For instance, vegetation was dense and homogeneous in system 1, and the mortality rate of trees was high in system 2 but low in system 3. Orchards of systems 3 and 4 were mostly associated with hedgerows with, respectively, boundary-marking and defensive species. Lastly, the number of B. invadens flies was high in orchards of system 4, whereas it was low in those of system 2. Conclusion. The diversity of mango-based cropping systems in Senegal is now well described and quantified. This characterization is a preliminary step that is essential for further studies aiming to improve these systems.

Introduction. The Brazilian Savannah has one of the richest biodiversities in the world and contains native fruits presenting high nutritional value. These fruits are the basis for sustaining wildlife and also serve as a food source for the population. Among these, the ‘araçá of Cerrado’ (Psidium firmum O. Berg), a fruit found naturally in the Brazilian Savannah, stands out. Therefore, we evaluated the physical characteristics, chemical composition, and occurrence and content of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin E and folates in ‘araçá of Cerrado’ from the Savannah of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. Titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moisture using an oven, ash using a muffle furnace, protein by the micro-Kjeldhal method, total dietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method, and lipids with a Soxhlet extractor. Vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids) and carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Vitamin E (α, β, γ and δ-tocopherols and α, β, γ and δ-tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The araçá presented a high pulp yield (81.43%), soluble solids (11.93 °Brix), moisture (77.46%), dietary fiber (12.32 g·100 g–1) and folates (47.25 mg·100 g–1). It presented a low total energy value of 43.19 kcal·100 g–1, and low contents of carotenoids (0.32 mg·100 g–1) and vitamin E (336.43 mg·100 g–1). Vitamin C was not found in the fruit. Conclusion. ‘araçá of Cerrado’ fruit stands out due to its high yield and showed good nutritional value, being classified as an excellent source of dietary fiber and at least a source of folates. Thus, its consumption should be encouraged.

Introduction. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical fruit that is famous for its edible pulp. This edible pulp makes up only 30% of the total fruit, while the remaining pericarp and seed are regarded as waste. Facing the increasing public demand for naturally safe foods and products, our study aimed to elucidate the antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of different parts of mangosteen, including the pericarp, pulp and seed. Materials and methods. The antioxidant capacities of mangosteen’s pericarp, pulp and seed extracts were determined using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, whereas antibacterial activity was determined using the disc diffusion method. Results. The pericarp extract exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than those of pulp and seed extracts, with a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 122.00 µM·g–1 and ferrous sulphate equivalent antioxidant capacity (FEAC) value of 18.99 mM·g–1. All mangosteen extracts showed strong inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC11632, while only the pericarp extract was effective against Bacillus cereus ATCC10876. No inhibition against Escherichia coli ATCC10536 was observed. Conclusion. The outcomes of our study could facilitate future application of mangosteen waste as a biopreservative in the food industry.

Introduction. Nypa fruticans is one of the mangrove plants in Malaysia. Leaves of the plant are traditionally used for thatching, while the sap is useful for producing an alcoholic drink, sugar and syrup, as well as vinegar. At present, N. fruticans fruit is considered as an underutilized fruit. Its flesh (endocarp) is considered nutritionally inferior. Hence, our study aimed to determine the proximate composition and total phenolic content of ripe and unripe flesh of N. fruticans to explore its food uses as a source of nutrients. Materials and methods. Determination of proximate content followed the AOAC methods, while total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent assay. Results and discussion. The results showed significant differences for all the proximate values (moisture content, ash, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, and insoluble and soluble fiber) between the ripe and unripe flesh of the fruit. The flesh of ripe fruit also had higher (P < 0.05) total phenolic content than its unripe counterpart. Conclusion. The ripe and unripe flesh of Nypa fruticans could potentially be used as functional food ingredients in the future.

Introduction. Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) is a key component in regulation of blood pressure by virtue of the rennin-angiotensin system. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the potent vasopressor octapeptide, angiotensin II, and inactivates bradykinin, which has a vasodilating action. So, inhibition of ACE has become a major target in control of hypertension. It is well known that the consumption of fruits could provide health benefits by lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our current study was focused on investigating the ACE inhibitory property of a few underutilized minor fruits of West Bengal using an in vitro assay. Materials and methods. The potential antihypertensive activity of underutilized indigenous edible fruits of West Bengal, India, was evaluated by their ability to inhibit Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). The ACE inhibitory property was assayed using ACE from rabbit lung and hippuryl-histidyl-leucine as the substrate. Nineteen fruit species belonging to 15 families were investigated. The percentage ACE inhibitory activities of these fruits were studied at 20 µg fresh weight of fruit extract per mL. The total phenol content of all these fruits was determined following the standard Folin-Ciocalteu method. Total flavonoid content was also measured. Results. The aqueous fruit extracts of the red variety of Trapa bispinosa, Phoenix sylvestris, Cicca acida, Achras sapota and Averrhoa carambola presented more than 75% ACE inhibition. On the other hand, Punica granatum, Spondias pinnata, Trapa bispinosa (green) and Ziziphus mauritiana showed about 50% inhibition. Aegle marmelos, Annona squamosa, Annona reticulata, Feronia elephantum, Physalis peruviana and Syzygium jambos showed low activity (< 50% inhibition). Discussions. To date there has been no report on Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory activities of these underutilized minor fruits of West Bengal, India. During our study no correlation could be established between the % ACE inhibition and the total phenol or flavonoid content of these fruit extracts. So, it appears that non-phenolic components may also be responsible for ACE inhibitory activity. In our investigation we tried to establish the fact that the consumption of these underutilized minor fruits might have potential in managing cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction. African fruit production, as well as regional and international fruit trade, have experienced heavy economic losses over the past decade due to the damage caused by fruit flies, especially B. invadens Drew Tsuruta & White (Tephritidae: Diptera). Bactrocerainvadens attacks fruits belonging to numerous botanical families, several of which are of great economic importance. The females of these flies generally lay their eggs in mature fruits, but some can lay in green-immature fruits. Materials and methods. The influence of the species, variety and phenology of fruits on the fruit attractiveness to B. invadens and the elicitation of B. invadens egg-laying behaviour were studied in the laboratory. Fruits harvested regularly during the years 2008 and 2009 from orchards in the Niayes area (Senegal) were exposed to gravid females in cages set for the different factors tested. The exposed fruits were then incubated and the pupae emerging from them were counted. Results and discussion. Bactrocera invadens females laid eggs in ripe fruits. Within the same fruit species, the variety plays an important role in egg-laying preference. Hence, among the mango varieties tested, the Pêche variety hosted the highest number of pupae per fruit, while the Palmer variety hosted the lowest number. Comparison among different fruit species showed that mature papaya was more infested than mature mango or citrus. Furthermore, flies were unable to develop on lime. Conclusion. Our study showed that B. invadens can infest green and ripe host fruits, and even immature abscised fruits. Consequently, management of this pest must include preventive measures in the development and implementation of an integrated management system.

Introduction. The aims of our study were to evaluate the genetic diversity in flavor attributes of and preferences for fresh pomegranate arils. Materials and methods. Experiments were conducted with fresh arils extracted from 18 distinct pomegranate varieties within the Israel Pomegranate Breeding Collection of the ARO. Consumer flavor acceptance tests were conducted at a commercial supermarket branch, and descriptive flavor analysis tests were conducted by a trained sensory panel. Results and discussion. Consumer flavor acceptance tests revealed wide diversity in the flavor preferences for various pomegranate varieties. Further descriptive flavor analysis tests revealed that arils from highly preferred varieties were characterized by high sweetness, moderate to low acidity levels, rich red wine and pomegranate fruity odors, low bitterness and astringency, and soft seeds. In contrast, arils from the least preferred varieties were either too sour or bitter, had low red wine and pomegranate fruity odors, or had very hard seeds. Furthermore, all “sour” varieties tested (acid content ≥ 1.8%) received low sensory preference scores, whereas “sweet-sour” and “sweet” varieties (acid contents 0.7–1.8% and £ 0.7%, respectively) achieved variable flavor preference scores. Overall, it is suggested that pomegranate flavor preference derives mainly from high sweetness, low to moderate acidity, rich red wine and pomegranate fruity odors, and soft seeds.