Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a cross-pollinating plant whose fruit
consists of two parts, the nut, and the apple. This study aimed to carry out agromorphological characteristics of cashew fruits to establish relationships with
their physicochemical and nutritional properties. Thirty (30) cashew accessions
fruits were sampled in different regions of Burkina Faso. The length, width,
thickness, weight, yield, kernel output ratio (KOR), proximate composition,
specific minerals, phenolic compounds, and anti-nutritional factors were
assessed. Evaluations were made using standard methods. The results
showed significant variations in agro-morphological, physicochemical and
nutritional traits depending on the accessions and the organ. Also, the ratio
of apple mass versus nut one was about 12.24 ± 1.24. Kernels are an important
source of proteins, fat, total phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, with average
contents of 22.84 ± 1.25 g/100 g, 51.65 ± 2.54 g/100 g, 9.78 ± 2.15 mg GAE/g,
and 6.24 ± 12.15 mg QE/g, respectively. As for the apples, they contained
substantial quantities of Potassium, Phosphorus, Chlorine, and Magnesium with
contents of 611.24 ± 14.5 mg/100 g, 418.24 ± 16.47 mg/100 g, 332.24 ± 10.54
mg/100 g, and 224.95 ± 13.15 mg/100 g, respectively. Statistical analyses
showed that mineral and phytate contents were positively correlated to
cashew apples while phenolic compounds and tannins were strongly
correlated with walnuts. Principal component analyses showed three groups
of accessions based on apples and kernels characteristics. These data showed a
direct relationship between cashew physicochemical, nutritional potentials,
kernels, and apples’ agro-morphological characteristics. These data constitute
an important basis for the identification of cashew accessions with high
nutritional and economic potential.

cashew fruit morphological traits nutritional properties antinutritional factor anacardium occidentale