Biochemical Study of Solanum aethiopicum Shum Berry, Ingredient of ‘Mendim Me Zon’ (Traditional Tea)

Solanum aethiopicum L. Shum (SAS) berries are consumed either raw or in the form of a tea, so-called “Mendim Me Zon”. Revitalizing and detoxifying properties are attributed to this beverage. This work was performed to study the chemical composition and microbial load of SAS berries harvested from five agroecological zones in Cameroon. The results showed that berries freshly harvested from all five agroecological zones were highly contaminated by microorganisms. Berries from the highlands and bimodal rainfall forest zones had a higher rate of contamination, while they were less contaminated in the Sudan-Sahelian zone. The berries were cleaned with sodium hypochlorite eliminating them from pathogenic microorganisms. The monosaccharide profile was established using gas chromatography. The agroecological zones influenced the chemical composition of the SAS berries (P < 0.05), with the exception of proteins and lipids (P > 0.05). These berries were more concentrated in the Sudano-Sahelian zone and more hydrated in the monomodal rainfall forest zone. However, carbohydrates were the most abundant macronutrient irrespective of the place of production, bitter taste of berries is probably determined by their phytonutrients. Mineral salts such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium varied following the agroecological zones, as well as trace elements like zinc and manganese (P < 0.05), Compared to iron which remained unchanged irrespective of the place of production (P > 0.05). Gas chromatography analysis of the extract showed that extract was composed of pentose (fucose), hexoses (mannose, galactose and glucose), hexosamines (glucosamine and galactosamine), uronic acid (glucuronic acid) and sialic acid (N-acetyl-neuraminic acid). Fructose was absent from the extract, while the mannose was relatively more abundant. These results suggested that the chemical composition and microbial load of SAS depended on the agroecological zones while confirming their richness in important nutrients. The monosaccharide profile justifies the traditional use of these berries as a nutraceutical. However, further studies including toxicity and bioactivity are still needed to determine the safety and efficacy of “Mendim me Zon”.