Lugo-Morales, Yudit, Díaz-Solares, Maykelis, Altunaga-Pérez, Nancy, Castro-Cabrera, Inelvis, Fonte-Carballo, Leydis, Cepero-Casas, Luis, and González-Sierra, Liliet
In Cuba many studies have been conducted about the use of different parts of the Morus alba plant in animal feeding. However, in these studies, the fruit has not been included. In international literature the M. alba fruits have been reported to show secondary metabolites and contain essential nutrients (fibers, vitamins and minerals), which increase their nutritional value and stimulate their use in balanced diets. The objective of this work was to determine the physical properties and bromatological composition of the fruits from seven M. alba varieties, cultivated at the Pastures and Forages Research Station Indio Hatuey. The weight, width, diameter and number of seeds per fruit were evaluated as physical indicators. In the proximal composition the dry matter, moisture and ash were studied, as well as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and crude fiber. For the data processing a complete randomized design was used and variance analysis was performed. The fruit weight varied between 1,3 and 3,7 g; length, between 1,6 and 3,0 cm and width, between 0,8 and 1,6 cm. The number of seeds per fruit was 19,7-42,8. In the different varieties, the percentage of dry mat ter, moisture, crude fiber and ash was 13,5-17,5; 82,5-86,5; 8,1-12,7 and 3,6- 7,1 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the Ca, Mg and P content was in the range of 322,5-356,0; 176,5-201,0 and 40,5-52,5 mg/100 g, respectively. The variety Yu-62 showed the highest values in fruit weight, length and width, as well as in the dry matter and crude fiber content; while the variety Nueva had the highest P and ash content. Meanwhile, Universidad mejorada showed the highest Ca and Mg percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]