PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, NUTRITIONAL PROFILING AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF THE LIPOSU (Baccaurea lanceolata) PULP AS POTENTIAL ANTI-OBESITY AGENT

Liposu (Baccaurea lanceolata) is an underutilised tropical fruit with potential health benefits that have not been extensively studied. Despite its promise, the nutritional composition and functional properties of liposu remain poorly understood. With rising obesity rates and the increasing need for natural alternatives, this study aimed to characterise the nutritional composition, phytochemical content, and enzymatic activities of liposu pulp to evaluate its potential anti-obesity effects. Proximate analysis revealed a high moisture content (93.67 ± 0.20%) and dietary fibre (61.69%), but minimal fat (0.00%) and carbohydrates (0.82 ± 0.18%), indicating low caloric density. Its high acidity (pH 2.51) contributes to its sour taste. Liposu exhibited strong antioxidant activity (90.71 ± 0.25% DPPH inhibition) and high phenolic and flavonoid contents but showed moderate pancreatic lipase inhibition (22.20 ± 0.42%). The unique nutritional and phytochemical composition of liposu suggests its potential use in low-calorie functional foods. Combined with other food sources, liposu could serve as a functional, fibre-rich ingredient for promoting health and supporting anti-obesity interventions.