Food Value of Native and Non-Native Tree Species in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Indigenous and adopted food-bearing trees play a crucial role in ensuring food security during food shortages and on a daily basis in rural and urban communities in Tigray. However, information on their nutritional composition is still lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the macronutrient and mineral content of the most commonly used indigenous and adopted food trees. Fruit samples were selected based on their degree of maturation, health, and disease-free status. Three samples per plant species were collected and analyzed at the Ethiopian Health and Nutritional Research Institute laboratory. The results revealed that protein content was highest in Ximenia americana (8.04 ± 1.1%), followed by Cordia africana (5.09 ± 0.9%) and Ficus sycomorus (4.63 ± 1.0%), with the lowest protein content found in Adansonia digitata (2.02 ± 0.8%) and Hyphaene thebaica (2.44 ± 1.7%). Crude fiber and fat content were highest in Tamarindus indica, with fat content also being highest in Ficus sycomorus. Adansonia digitata had the lowest ash content, while Syzygium guineense had the highest moisture content. Ficus sycomorus fruits contained the highest levels of iron (56.5 ± 5.0 mg/100g), calcium (584.3 ± 14.0 mg/100g), and copper (0.9 ± 0.1 mg/100g), while zinc levels were lower in Hyphaene thebaica and higher in Ficus sycomorus. The potassium and phosphorus contents varied among the species, with Tamarindus indica having 3030.3 mg of potassium and 30.9 mg of phosphorus, Ximenia americana having 2704.0 mg of potassium and 106.6 mg of phosphorus, and other species showing varying amounts. Higher total carbohydrate content was found in Adansonia digitata (71.76%), Hyphaene thebaica (63.31%), Tamarindus indica (62.79%), and Cordia africana (59.28%). The highest energy values (347.2, 283.4, 264.2, and 258.4 kcal/100g) were observed in Tamarindus indica, Cordia africana, Hyphaene thebaica, and Syzygium guineense, respectively. In conclusion, wild and semi-wild edible trees are essential for addressing food shortages and have the potential to combat nutrient deficiencies in the region.