Screening of Selected Underutilized Wild Fruit Species in a Lowland Rainforest Ecosystem, Southwest Nigeria

Eight indigenous edible fruit species distributed among seven families were harvested from a tropical rainforest ecosystem and screened for their nutritional and anti-nutritional factors. The phenological studies of the fruits revealed that they flower and fruit at different periods and seasons of the year. The results of the phytochemical analysis show that they all contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning. The levels of the anti-nutrients obtained are well below the lethal dose. The fruits are potential cheap sources of protein and other essential nutrients that can improve the diets of those facing food crises today.