American Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2016, Vol. 4, No. 4, 102-108 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajfst/4/4/3 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ajfst-4-4-3 Proximate, Anti-Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of the Yellow Variety of the Synsepalum Dulcificum (Miracle Fruit) Berry Njoku N. E. * , Ubbaonu C. N., Alagbaoso S.O., Agunwa I.M, Eluchie C.N. Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, ImoState, Nigeria *Corresponding author: alagbaososerah@gmail.com Abstract The pulp of freshly harvested mature Synsepalumdulcificum (miracle fruit) berries were analyzed for proximate, pH, titratable acidity, anti-nutritional and phytochemical content. The results indicated a moisture content of 45.12%, protein content of 2.48% and a carbohydrate content of 48.84%.The anti-nutrients content include Tannin 2.90 ± 0.64mg/100g, phytate 5.21 ± 0.92 mg/100g, glycosidic cyanide 0.03 ± 0.00mg/100g, steroid 1.56±0.03 mg/100g and oxalate 11.04 ± 0.29%. The anti-nutritional levels were all within the recommended safety limits. Some phytochemicals like flavonoids, resins and steroids were also identified. It is hoped that the knowledge of miracle fruit’s nutritional content/importance will enhance its utilization in our diet. Keywords: berry pulp, phytochemicals, proximate, anti-nutrients, Synsepalumdulcificum Cite This Article: Njoku N. E., Ubbaonu C. N., Alagbaoso S.O., Agunwa I.M, and Eluchie C.N., “Proximate, Anti-Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of the Yellow Variety of the Synsepalum Dulcificum (Miracle Fruit) Berry.” American Journal of Food Science and Technology, vol. 4, no. 4 (2016): 102-108. doi: 10.12691/ajfst-4-4-3. 1. Introduction The miracle fruit, also known as ‘miraculous berry’ or ‘miracle berry’ is a fruit of a tropical plant, Synsepalumdulcificum and a member of the Sapotaceae family [1] which is native to West African (Plate 1). It is known as ‘Agbayun’ by the Yorubas’, and called different names such as ‘Uninaa’, ’Uneonu’, ‘Unighini’ and ‘Uni’ by the Ibos’jn Nigeria. The plant is commonly found growing in the wild, in fringes of virgin forests, though it also grows naturally on farms and around dwellings and in secondary bushes [2]. Its fruit has a relatively large seed which is encapsulated by a translucent pulp. This pulp is covered by a thin skin. Plate 1. The Synsepalumdulcificum Tree The plant has two varieties, the red and the yellow ripe berry varieites [1]. The red berry is not really sweet to taste by itself but miraculously gives a sweet taste when food, even a sour food is being eaten after taking or licking it, thus, it is aptly named ‘miracle fruit’ [1].