Here is a list of the multi-purpose use for Baobab as a base ingredient for the Medicinal industry.
In traditional pharmacopoeia, it is used as an intestinal regulator, prevention and treatment of gastric and IBS disorders, osteoporosis, varicose veins, dysentery, haemoptysis, small pox, measles, hemorrhoids, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-diarrheal, anti-oxidant, excellent source of dietary fibers, analgesic, hepatoprotective febrifuge anti-diabetic and antipyretic activities.
Baobab (Bombacaceae family) is a native deciduous tree from the African savannas. The English common name is baobab, probably derived from the Arabic bu hibab, which means “fruit with several seeds”. There are many different local names used in southern Africa: Umkhomo and Muuju in Zimbabwe; Mowana, Moana, Dovuyu, Ibozu, Mbuyu and Mobuyu in Botswana; Mnambe and Mbuye in Malawi; Muuyu, Mbuyu, Mkulukumba, Mlambe in Zambia (Kurebgaseka, 2005).
It is characterized by an unusual, swollen, relatively short, bottle shaped trunk (about 15 m in height) in which spongy fibers store water for the dry season. For this reason, it is also called “bottle tree”. The mature circumference can exceed 20 m; the diameter at chest height is about 10m. The crown is rounded and shows a stiff branching habit. The tree has an extensive lateral root system, which produces tubers at the end. African baobab is a very long-living tree. It normally has a life for about 500 years, but it is believed that some trees are up to 6000 years old.
Wild Harvest Pharma has identified several key product trends whose growth provides a high demand for our Baobab commodity.
- An Aloe Vera skin health yoghurt that achieved sales of €4.5m in Spain in 2007.
- Weight management with whey, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) soy and dietary fibre heading the list of star ingredients.
- Euro monitor put the global omega-3 foods market at €1.2bn.
- In the cardiac field, sterol foods came in at more than double - €2.5bn.
- Sales of pre-and probiotic yogurts hit €12.4bn, a 108% increase on 2002 levels.
- The West’s demand in the functional food and beverage industry has outperformed the conventional food and beverage industry annually for 10 years or more.
- Between 1998 and 2003 global sales of functional foods increased almost 60%
Analysis of Baobab Fruit Pulp (mg/100 g)*
Protein 2.3
Lipids 0.27
Soluble and insoluble Fibers 52.0
Carbohydrates 75.6
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 280-300 (to compare: 51 in oranges**)
Calcium 293 (to compare: 125 in milk**)
Potassium 2.31
Phosphorus 96-118
T
he baobab The Baobab is extremely important for humans and animals in the dry areas of Africa. It offers protection and provides food, clothing and medicine as well as raw material for many useful items.
The mucilaginous pulp that fills the trunk can be scooped out from the thick tree trunk. Enough space for a door is cut in the trunk. Old living trees that are naturally hollow or have been hollowed out are used for water storage. The empty space is filled with water and then tightly sealed. This will hold water and keep it potable for
many years and serve as a reserve during drought (Schütt and Wolf, 1996). The hollowed tree will continue to thrive, bearing fruit every season. The bark yields a strong fiber for rope and cloth.
