Fruits of Saba senegalensis are of great socio-economic and nutritional importance to the rural population of
Burkina Faso. However, little is known about differences among morphological and biochemical characteristics
of the fruits from plant ecotypes. The aim of this study was to assess both morphological characteristics and
proximate composition of S. senegalensis pulps from different geographical areas of high production in Burkina
Faso. Fruit size, material balance and biochemical composition were determined. Results showed significant
variations in the agro-morphological and physico-chemical characteristics depending on ecotypes. Fruits had
different shapes depending on the area, with average values for length, thickness and shape coefficient of 76.93
%, 62.33 % and 1.33 %, respectively. Nonetheless, the Sud-Ouest and Centre-Sud regions had the largest fruit, as
well as the highest material balance percentage. This was the case for the pulp content and pulp/seed ratio with
mean values of 15.70 ± 5.28 and 62.17 ± 28.50 in the Sud-Ouest and 19.62 ± 1.93 % and 68.10 ± 13.08 % in
the Centre-Sud. Similarly, the mean values for pH, titratable acidity and Brix degree of the pulp were 2.93, 4.10
% and 22.18 %, observed in Sud-Ouest and 2.82, 4.08 % and 21.92 % observed in Centre-Sud, respectively. Mean
levels of ash, lipids, sugar (total and reduced) and fibers were 2.99 0.49 %, 6.72 ± 1.66 %, 19.71 ± 0.57 %,
19.34 ± 4.73 % and 25.72 ± 4.31 %, respectively. For minerals, the mean levels were 118.19 ± 22.77 mg/100 g,
13.13 ± 4.87 mg/100 g, 97.41 ± 0.13 mg/100 g, 10.39 ± 3.25 mg/100 g, 0.66 ± 3.46 mg/100 g and 3.43 ±
0.82 mg/100 g for Mg, Na, Ca, Zn, Cu and Fe, respectively. Statistical analyses assessed the variability among
fruits from villages in the same region and from one region to another. It appeared that fruits from the Sud-Ouest
and Centre-Sud regions are the most interesting ones with respect to nutrient contents. Data provide evidence
basis for nutritional and economical valorization of S. senegalensis fruits.

Saba senegalensis, Fruit, Ecotype, Morphological traits ,Composition, Variability