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SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT
Boabab
Latin Name: Adansonia Digitata
Family: Bombacaceae
Gender: Adansonia
Species: A. Digitata
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF
DRIED BAOBAB LEAVES
COMPOSITION
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Composition
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Quantity (in g for 100g of dried leaves)
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Note
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Calcium
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2.266
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In the fresh leaves from 180 to 343 mg/on 100 g.
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Phosphorus
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26,1
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N/
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Vitamin C
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Trace
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In the fresh leaves from 38 to 53 mg/on 100 g.
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Thiamine
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0,13
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N/
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Riboflavine
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0,82
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N/
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Niacine
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4,83
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Equivalent to 4856 Mcg of Vitamin A
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PROVITAMIN A
The Vitamin A is expressed as Retinol Equivalent ( RE )
1 µg Re = 6 µg beta-carotene or 12 µg alfa-carotene.
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Drying
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Alpha (µg/g)
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Beta (µg/g)
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Retinol E. (µg/g)
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YOUNG trees with SMALL leaves
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Sun dried
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5,7
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74,5
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12,9
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Shade dried
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12,9
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156,5
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27,2
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YOUNG trees with LARGE leaves
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Sun dried
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6,7
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54
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9,3
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Shade dried
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5,1
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130
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22
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OLD trees with SMALL leaves
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Sun dried
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9,9
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87
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15,3
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Shade dried
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19,4
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147,5
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26,2
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OLD trees with LARGE leaves
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Sun dried
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4,1
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69
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11,8
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Shade dried
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7,1
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107
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18,5
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AMINOACIDIC COMPOSITION OF
DRIED BAOBAB LEAVES
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Amino Acid
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Mg/ 1 g of protein
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Overall percentage
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Aspartic Acid
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10,3
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9,7
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Glutamic Acid
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13,4
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12,6
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Serine
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4,7
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4,4
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Glycine
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6,0
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5,6
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Histidine
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2,1
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2,2
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Arginine
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8,5
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8,0
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Threonine
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4,1
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3,9
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Alanine
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6,9
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6,5
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Proline
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5,6
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5,3
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Tyrosine
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4,5
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4,2
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Valine
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6,3
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5,9
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Methionine
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2,4
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2,3
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Isoleucine
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6,7
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6,3
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Leucine
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8,7
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8,2
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Phenylalanine
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5,7
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5,4
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Cysteic Acid
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2,7
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2,5
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Lysine
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6,1
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5,7
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Tryptophan
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1,6
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1,5
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Total
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106,3
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100,0
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Baobab leaves are digitate
(composed of five leaves),
hence the name "Adansonia digitata".
BAOBAB FRUIT LEAVES - TRADITIONAL USAGE
The leaves are rich in vitamin C, uronic acid, rhamnose and other sugars, tannins, potassium tartrate, catechins, etc.
The analyses conducted on young leaves dried in the shade and pulverized, revealed a high content of provitamin
A with concentrations varying between 9 mg and 27 mg (retinol equivalents) per gram of powder analysed. The macerated and
compressed leaves are used to wash out ears and eyes of ill children with anti-inflammatory effect.
The leaves are used in traditional medicine by virtue of the diaphoretic, expectorant, astringent, febrifugal,
hypotensive and anti-asthmatic properties, and to hold excessive perspiration in check.
They are used in diseases of the urinary tracts, diarrhoea, inflammation, insect bites, and as vermifuge in
treatments for expulsion of the so-called “Guinea worm”. The leaf is used for external use by virtue of its antioxidant,
emollient and soothing properties which make the skin soft and elastic.
In the traditional Senegalese pharmacopoeia the dried and pulverized leavesare used as :
- Antiasthmatic (property that researchers associate to the presence of Adansoniaflavonoside composed of dehydroxyfiavane)
- Antidysenteric
- Antirachitic
- Tonic drugs
- Antifebrile (when used as an herbal tea)
- Antidiaphoretic
- Emollient (internal and external use)
- Anti-inflammatory of urinary tract
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