| Abstract: |
| Son tra or tao meo are the local names of the H’mong apple. Other local names are taorung, maccam, or macsamcha. In Vietnam, son tra is increasingly used as a reforestation species for environment services and is also planted for commercial purposes on a small scale for fruit production. Son tra is traditionally used in the form of syrup, alcohol, wine, and vinegar. According to the local knowledge, son tra is high in nutrient value and biological substances, which are necessary for the body. Despite of that, there is not yet scientific evidence that clearly proves the effects of son tra on human health. This study focuses on the evaluation of nutritional and bioactive compositions present in son tra fruits, collected from three provinces in Northwest Vietnam. Results showed that son tra fruits were rich on both macroand micronutrients. Its nutrient compositions include macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, free sugars - monosaccharide (fructose and glucose), disaccharide (maltose and saccharose), and micronutrients - vitamin C and beta-carotene, fatty acids (palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, and other fatty acids), amino acids (essential amino acids and nonessential amino acids) and some essential minerals (calcium, iron and phosphorus). The nutritional content of son tra fruit is similar to that of orange, lemon, apple, etc. Phytochemical screening of Son tra samples showed the present of polyphenol (flavonoid, tannin...), saponin, organic acid, amino acid, and reducing sugar. Among those, polyphenol and organic acid groups appeared at the highest levels. Polyphenol has long been known as substances with antioxidant properties. Since Son tra could hardly be consumed directly in fresh form, but it requires a certain kind of processing, the manufacturing ready for use products could potentially increase the demand of Son tra and thus promote its production. The development of the easy for use products like filter bag tea, agglomerated instant tea, and dry jam from son tra seems to have market potential. |
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