Nutritional and Biochemical Assessment of Edible Fruits From Angola's Native Flora

Angola's native flora hides a wealth of underexplored edible fruits with significant nutritional and bioactive potential. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the physicochemical and bioactive potential of some less explored edible fruits from this country, namely Annona muricata, A. squamosa, A. senegalensis, A. boehmii, Dacryodes edulis, and Strychnos spinosa. Nutritional profiling revealed carbohydrates as the predominant macronutrient, with A. muricata exhibiting the highest concentration (93.3 g/100 g dw). D. edulis, in turn, stood out for its high fat content (40.5 g/100 g dw), while A. senegalensis contained the highest protein levels (15–6 g/100 g dw). Free sugars analysis highlighted A. squamosa for its elevated fructose and glucose levels, contributing to its pronounced characteristic sweetness, whereas D. edulis exhibited minimal sugar content (1.27 g/100 g dw). Organic acid profiling revealed malic acid as dominant. Saturated fatty acids were predominant across most fruits, with A. boehmii showing the highest levels (71.6%), while A. senegalensis was enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (45.15%). The phenolic analysis revealed a rich profile in bioactive compounds, with A. muricata and A. squamosa exhibiting significant levels of quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, while A. boehmii, S. spinosa, and D. edulis were characterized by distinct major phenolic compounds, such as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and corilagin, respectively. Antioxidant activity was strongest in D. edulis and A. senegalensis (EC₅₀ = 0.18 and 0.25 μg/mL, respectively), while A. squamosa exhibited notable antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.3 mg/mL). This study underscores the nutritional and bioactive potential of Angola's native fruits, highlighting their applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.