Sugar composition of low molecular weight carbohydrate and dietary fiber of some Bangladeshi fruits

Abstract

Free sugar and dietary fiber (DF) are the two major nutritional constituent of all fruits and
vegetables. The physiological importance of DF in human has been recognized due to its
capacity of lowering glycemic responses. In the present paper, we report the free sugar
content of low molecular weight (LMW) carbohydrate and DF of four different fruits, which
were not reported earlier. These are: Litchi Chinesis (Litchi), Mangifera indica (Mango),
Psidium giiajava (Guava), and Ananus comosiis (Pineapple) respectively. The amount of
glucose and fructose for each fruit was found to be 6.1 and 5.2 g (Lichi), 5.6 and 4.5 g
(Mango), 3.4 and 2.6 g (Guava), and 4.9 and 3.9 g (Pineapple) per 100 g of fresh edible part
(HP) respectively. DF content of these fruits was estimated as neutral detergent fiber (NDF)
and showed the value of 0.68 g, l.()5g, 2,1 Ig, and l.l2g per lOOg fresh HP of lichi, mango,
guava, and pineapple respectively. Arabinose, galactose and glucose were found as neutral
sugar constituents of the NDF of each fruit. The relative percentages of arabinose, galactose and
glucose were estimated to 27.6. 12.8 and 59.6 for Lichi, 6.6, 5.4 and 88.0 for mango, 14.7. 8.9
and 76.4 for guava and 9,3. 6.6 and 84.2 for pineapple respectively. The Klason lignin content
was found to be 0.22, 0.05, 0.93 and 0.08 percent, respectively, of the fresh EP of the fruits. The
results obtained would, therefore, be contributory to the nutrient composition databa.se of local
foods.