Hi.
I need some math help/clarification.
I'm writing about some nutritional issues and searching for some research on the macronutrient content (protein/fat/carbohydrate) of wild fruits so I can compare them to commercially grown fruits.
I've found an excellent study looking at exactly what I want. You can read the PDF here: 2008 Milton, K. Macronutrient Profiles of 19 Fruit Species from Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Neotropical Primates 15 (1):1- 5. http://nature.berkeley.edu/miltonlab/pdfs/neotropical.pdf
However, the numbers don't work, as I need them in a percentage of calories model, which is how most macronutrient info is presented. The study lists the fruits macronutrient content as a percentage of dry weight.
To confuse me even more, for some reason the percentage of dry weight from the three categories doesn't add up to 100 percent. The water is all evaporated out of it, which leaves only the flesh. There are only three macronutrients, so if the weight isn't a carb/protein/fat, then what is it?
So first, can anyone explain the above lack of 100 percent total question.
Second, is there any way I can convert this information into a percentage of calories model?
If it helps, there are 4 calories per gram of protein and carbs, and 9 calories per gram of fat.
If this is just too complicated and you think I should ditch this study and look for something else, let me know. Math is not my area, so I'm a bit out of my league.
Thanks in advance.
-Andrew
