Nutritional composition of five food trees species products used in human diet during food shortage period in Burkina Faso

The proximate compositions, minerals and amino acids contents of Detarium microcarpum, Gardenia erubescens, Parkia biglobosa, Adansonia digitata pulp, seeds of Boscia senegalensis and leaves of A. digitata were studied and quantified in Burkina Faso. Using the conventional procedures described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, proximate analysis was done. The minerals were determined by spectrometry and photometry. The profile and total amount of amino acids were determined by reverse phase HPLC using Pico-Tag method. The results showed that the protein content were ranged from 1.10 ± 0.20 to 24.23 ± 0.15%, total carbohydrate varied from 6.7 ± 0.11 to 79.73 ± 1.69%, lipids varied from 1.11 ± 0.08 to 4.65 ± 0.12% and ash from 1.16 ± 0.1 to 11.76 ± 0.10%. These results allowed distinguishing species which are potential sources of protein, calories and micronutrients. Consumption of these tree products can help to overcome nutrients deficiency that is prevalent in poor urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso.   Key words: Food composition, nutrition, food insecure, wild trees, Burkina Faso.