@article{jfnr2016412,
author={{Mlambo, Lungisa and Koorbanally, Neil and Moodley, Roshila},
title={Elemental Composition of the Fruits of Baboon Grape (<i>Rhoicissus digitata</i>) and Impact of Soil Quality on Chemical Characteristics},
journal={Journal of Food and Nutrition Research},
volume={4},
number={1},
pages={6--11},
year={2016},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/4/1/2},
issn={2333-1240},
abstract={<i>Rhoicissus digitata</i> is an indigenous medicinal plant from which fruits are consumed by the local people in South Africa. This potential source of nutrients was investigated as a food-based approach to complement fortification efforts in South Africa targeted at vulnerable groups. This study also focused on the distribution of elements (essential and toxic) in the fruits of <i>R. digitata</i> as a function of soil quality. In general, the concentration of essential elements in the fruits were found to be in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Se > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co. The data showed that the plant controlled uptake of nutrients to meet physiological requirement levels. A comparison of the fruits elemental concentrations with recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) revealed the fruits to be rich in Se and are a good source of essential elements with low concentrations of the toxic elements studied. These findings indicate that the fruits of <i>R. digitata</i> have high nutritional value and can introduce dietary diversity and food security to marginalized and poor communities in South Africa.},
doi={10.12691/jfnr-4-1-2}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}