Nutritional contribution of five Solanum species (Solanum melongena, Solanum aethiopicum, Solanum macrocarpon, Solanum aculeastrum and Solanum spp.) to the Cameroonian food composition table

The proximate, mineral and bioactive contents of five Solanum species from Cameroon were assessed. Proximate analysis was determined by standard methods. Mineral compositions were assessed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Vitamin C was quantified by the titrimetric method while secondary metabolite's profiles were determined by spectrophotometry UV. Bioavailability of minerals were estimated by calculating the antinutrient/minerals molar ratio. The proximate analysis showed that these Solanum species have high water content. The highest protein content was recorded by S. aculeastrum (1.35±0.01 g/100g FM). Solanum spp. recorded the highest others proximate analysis. Sixteen minerals were detected. Solanum spp. (112.23±12.78 mg/kg FM), S. aculeastrum (100.91±2.10 mg/kg FM) and S. acethiopicum (117.43±7.43 mg/kg FM) recorded the highest magnesium contents. Vitamin C content, totals phenolic compounds, flavonoids and carotenoids of Solanum spp. were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the others. All five species had levels of antinutritional compound below consumption limits. The [Phy]/[Zn] (0.16) and [Phy]/[Fe] (0.05) ratios were lowest in S. macrocarpon and Solanum spp. Showed the best [Phy]/[Ca] (0.001), [Oxa]/[Ca] (0.22), [Phy][Ca]/[Zn] (19.13), and [Oxa]/[Ca]+[Mg] (0.21) molar ratios. The phytate/minerals and oxalate/minerals molar ratios were low compared with their corresponding critical value. These results have revealed that the five species are nutritionally valuable, their minerals are available.