Genetic Variation of Saba Senegalensis Pichon (Apocynaceae) and FEW Nutritional Values

Saba senegalensis is a wild liana naturally growing in the sudan savanna region of West Africa, which fruits are commonly eaten by local population and also used as food additive because of the ascorbic acid it contains. However, very little information is available on its genetic diversity and nutritional values. The main objective of this study was to value the level of morphological diversity and some nutritional components of the species. In order to better control the species characterization, survey was carried in two departments (Korhogo and Tengrela) of Côte d'Ivoire savannas region. Morphological traits were measured on 10 fruits collected on 30 tufts of Saba distributed on 3 sites. Some averages were calculated from 10 fruits collected on each of the sampled tufts. Parameters as the content in vitamin C, in phosphorus and in total sugars were measured out according to various suitable dosage methods. Descriptives statistics results showed that the length of the fruit varied from 6, 7 to 12, 3 cm, the weight of the whole fruit ranged from 173, 8 to 491.14 g, the weight of the pulp varied from 63, 47 to 216, 53 g and the number of nuts by fruit lay from 10 to 45. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed 75.12% of the total variance expressed on the 2 factorial axes. The Hierarchical Ascending Classification (HAC) allowed structuring and marking saba populations in 3 phenotypic groups. Different dosages showed that, vitamin C content in saba fruits varied from 34.8 mg to 67.5 mg/100. Phosphorus content ranged from 97.75 mg to 215.9 mg/100. Also, total sugars content varied from 26.71 g to 31.87g/100. However, genetic and nutrirional characterization of saba resources upon a big scale are necessary.