African tree of life, Baobab – Adansonia digitata L and its development from a traditional herbal to an evidence based modern superfruit

Natural products in Southern Africa have been used for centuries by local populations for their nutritional and medicinal properties. With increasing commercial interest it has become necessary to investigate the quality and composition of the raw materials which have long histories of use by local populations. Baobab is an indigenous tree from Southern Africa that produces a fruit with a wide range of important nutritional and medicinal properties. The fruit has been traditionally consumed in Africa and more recently has been the focus of several scientific studies investigating its important properties. The Baobab fruit pulp contains high levels of several minerals including calcium and magnesium. The antioxidant capacity of Baobab fruit pulp is significant and the soluble dietary fibres in the pulp are said to have pre-biotic effects. Traditional use of this species provides reasoning for further scientific research to confirm the nutritional and medicinal properties, an approach that has proved to be effective. Traditional knowledge has led to the discovery of Baobab fruit pulp. Due to this knowledge and subsequent scientific evidence of its nutritional properties, this natural product has demonstrated that it is safe for human consumption as a food. It received Novel Food approval in Europe and FDA GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) notification in USA. Baobab fruit pulp is the new superfruit for use in health foods and beverages.

References: 1. Saka, J. D. K., et al., (1994). Nutritional value of edible fruits of indigenous wild trees in Malawi. Forest Ecology of Indigenous Wild trees in Malawi 64: 245–248.

2. Chadare, F. J., A. R. Linnemann, et al. (2009). Baobab Food Products: A review on their composition and nutritional value. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 49: 254–274.