Africa-Press – Angola. Professors Famoroso João da Costa and Bettencourt Munanga, lecturers at the Rainha Njinga a Mbande University (URNM), published a scientific article in the “Food and Humanity” international journal about the fruit known as “Loengo or Mufongo”.
According to a note from URMN Tuesday, the article addresses the chemical composition of the loengo fruit, a wild fruit widely consumed and preferred in Angola for its organoleptic qualities and nutritional interest, and its elaboration counts on the collaboration of French researchers Adrien Serent and Manuel Dornier.
The investigation was based on the mineral profile of the fruit pulp, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), from seven samples collected in three distinct geographical areas over three consecutive years of study, according to the note.
The results revealed an unusual aluminum content in the fruit, estimated at about 8 grams per kilogram of dry matter, a significantly high value for human consumption.
According to the document, analyses of the plant’s leaves confirmed that it is a hyperaccumulator of aluminum, and no direct correlation was found between the aluminum content of the fruit pulp and the soil characteristics of the exploration areas.
Taking into account these aforementioned results, the study recommends moderation in the consumption of fruit, as a measure to protect consumers against excessive and repeated exposure to aluminum.
The publication of this article reinforces the commitment of Queen Njinga a Mbande University to high-quality scientific production, the valorization of Angola’s endogenous resources, and the promotion of research with a direct impact on public health, food security, and sustainable development.
