Articles
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.): an underutilized crop for functional beverage innovation
Article number
1466_46
Pages
379 – 386
Language
English
Abstract
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a crop historically cultivated for fibre, has emerged as a promising underutilized source of functional beverage ingredients.
This study evaluated the nutritional and phytochemical composition of kenaf leaves, stem, raw seeds, kenaf milk, and seedcake (by-products), with a focus on beverage applications.
The leaves had significantly higher protein (20.69±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW), ash (8.88±0.05 g 100 g‑1 DW), calcium (0.75±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW), and phosphorus content (0.35±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW). Kenaf milk had significantly higher moisture and phenolic content (10.60±0.01 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g‑1) compared to stem, raw seeds, and seedcake.
The stem is rich in vitamin C (52.67±1.01 mg 100 g‑1 DW) and high in fibre (28.47±0.28 g 100 g‑1 DW), starch (21.95±0.36 g 100 g‑1 DW), and carbohydrates (77.80±0.32 g 100 g‑1 DW). Principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) were used to classify between plant parts based on their nutritional properties.
Principal component analysis score plot explained 78.15% of the total variation.
AHC classified the different plant parts of kenaf into three distinct clusters: cluster I (kenaf leaves) were mainly associated with protein and ash content, cluster II (stem, raw seeds, and seedcake) with high dry matter, fibre, starch, and vitamin C content, and cluster III (kenaf milk), which was associated with high moisture content.
The leaves were identified as the most nutritionally dense part of kenaf and can be used for the development of herbal infused tea beverages, while the kenaf milk offers a plant-based milk alternative that has moderate phenolic content.
Collectively, these findings demonstrate that kenaf represents a versatile, nutrient and bioactive-rich South African crop with untapped potential for health-oriented beverage innovation, aligning with global trends toward plant-based, functional, and sustainable drinks.
This study evaluated the nutritional and phytochemical composition of kenaf leaves, stem, raw seeds, kenaf milk, and seedcake (by-products), with a focus on beverage applications.
The leaves had significantly higher protein (20.69±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW), ash (8.88±0.05 g 100 g‑1 DW), calcium (0.75±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW), and phosphorus content (0.35±0.01 g 100 g‑1 DW). Kenaf milk had significantly higher moisture and phenolic content (10.60±0.01 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g‑1) compared to stem, raw seeds, and seedcake.
The stem is rich in vitamin C (52.67±1.01 mg 100 g‑1 DW) and high in fibre (28.47±0.28 g 100 g‑1 DW), starch (21.95±0.36 g 100 g‑1 DW), and carbohydrates (77.80±0.32 g 100 g‑1 DW). Principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) were used to classify between plant parts based on their nutritional properties.
Principal component analysis score plot explained 78.15% of the total variation.
AHC classified the different plant parts of kenaf into three distinct clusters: cluster I (kenaf leaves) were mainly associated with protein and ash content, cluster II (stem, raw seeds, and seedcake) with high dry matter, fibre, starch, and vitamin C content, and cluster III (kenaf milk), which was associated with high moisture content.
The leaves were identified as the most nutritionally dense part of kenaf and can be used for the development of herbal infused tea beverages, while the kenaf milk offers a plant-based milk alternative that has moderate phenolic content.
Collectively, these findings demonstrate that kenaf represents a versatile, nutrient and bioactive-rich South African crop with untapped potential for health-oriented beverage innovation, aligning with global trends toward plant-based, functional, and sustainable drinks.
Publication
Authors
E. Arendse, N.A. Masondo, D. Naidoo-Maharaj, M. van der Westhuizen, M. Matandabuzo, A.O. Aremu, S.O. Amoo
Keywords
antioxidant properties, functional crop, health drink, kenaf milk, plant-based beverage
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