Conservation and analysis of the physicochemical parameters of a Congo food plant alicamentary [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn]

In order to contribute to the valorization of non-timber products from the Congo, the aim of the study was to contribute to the nutritional value of P. aquilinum fern. The harvested fern plants were previously dried by solar drying for up to 4 hours and finally crushed to obtain a powder after sieving. This powder made it possible to study the biochemical and physicochemical characteristics of fronds. The results of the biochemical analysis revealed moisture contents of 13.87 ± 0.17%; the ash content of 9.25 ± 0.49%; lipid content 7.07 ± 0.41%, and that of soluble sugars 0.54 ± 0.021. Meanwhile, the protein and total carbohydrate contents are relatively high, respectively 20.33 ± 0.58% and 49.51 ± 0.2%. The physicochemical analysis, based on the measurement of the chemical indices, showed that only the peroxide index complies with the STAN 210-1999 Codex standards. In addition, the other two indices do not comply with the standards of the CODEX STAN 210-1999 standard, i.e., 256.25 mg of KOH / g of saponification oil, 14.03 ± 1.5% of oleic acid for the acid number and the peroxide value 8.6 ± 1.75 meq O2/kg of oil.