Antioxidant profiling of monkey orange (Strychnos spinosa) pulp from different areas of Eswatini

Indigenous fruits are vital in enhancing food and nutrition security, especially in places where the impact of climate change has had a negative impact and resulted in reduced natural resources and access to food.
Monkey orange (Strychnos spinosa) is one indigenous fruit that is widely found in the wild in different areas of Eswatini.
Therefore, this study aimed to determine the chemical and antioxidant content of S. spinosa fruits harvested from Phonjwane (southern Lowveld) and Nyakatfo (western Lowveld) of Eswatini.
Significant variations were observed in the flavonoid, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition power.
The highest flavonoid content (68 mg 100 mL^‑1) was obtained from Nyakatfo fruits, while fruits obtained from Phonjwane had the lowest flavonoid content of 45 mg 100 mL^‑1. On the other hand, the highest FRAP (250 mg 100 mL^‑1) and low DPPH inhibition percent of 43.49% were obtained from Nyakatfo.
The variation in phytochemical and antioxidant content of S. spinosa may be due to the maturity stage of the fruits, exposure to different climatic conditions and nutrient availability of the soils in the wild.
Overall, S. spinosa from both areas have sufficient phytochemicals and antioxidant content to explore processing and value-added products such as beverages.

IV International Symposium on Beverage Crops

M.P. Ngwenya, S.P. Thwala, M.M. Dlamini, K.A. Nxumalo

indigenous fruits, antioxidants, climate resilient, value-addition

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1466.65