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The Magic Baobab released in
"Natural Style", Italy, May 2005
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United Nation Conference
on Trade and Developement -
Market Brief on Adansonia Digitata
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Read about the Tree of Life
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TARGETED INDUSTRIES
NUTRACEUTICALS AND PHARMACEUTICALS
  
- ADANSONIA DIGITATA (Baobab) fruit pulp (micronised and 100% natural)
100 g of Baobab fruit pulp contain 75.6 % of total carbohydrates, 2.3 % of proteins and a very
low content of lipids (0.27% of total lipids).
Baobab fruit is known for its high content of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C); in particular, 100 grams
of pulp contain up to 300 mg of vitamin C, approximately six times more than the ascorbic acid
content of one orange.
Ascorbic acid is extremely important as nutritional element and as supplement, it is the factor able to cure the
variety of clinical symptoms known as scurvy, a syndrome occurring in humans whose diet is deficient in fresh fruit
and vegetables. Vitamin C protects the organism against free radicals, because it is the most effective antioxidant
in hydrophilic compartments; moreover, it participates to several metabolic processes, as collagen biosynthesis in
connective tissue, as neurotransmitter and in the steroidal hormones synthesis. It also increases the calcium
absorption and iron bioavailability,xii and it is related to the prevention of many degenerative diseases (cataract
formation, cardiovascular risks, arteriosclerosis).
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for ascorbic acid is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men; if we
consider that Baobab’s ascorbic acid content is 300 mg per 100 grams of pulp, the oral intake of 25 and 30 grams
respectively is able to provide to the vitamin C daily allowance for humans.
The fruit contains also other essential vitamins, such are riboflavin (vitamin B2), necessary for the organism growth
and to maintain the integrity of nervous fibers, skin and eyes, and niacin (vitamin PP or B3), important for the
regulation of several metabolic processes.
The fruit can contribute to the supply of others important dietary nutrients, as minerals and essential fatty acids. 100
grams of pulp contains 293 mg of calcium, 2.31 mg of potassium, 96-118 mg of phosphorus, and a-linolenic acid
(27 µg of acid per gram of product expressed in dry weight).
The characteristic acidulous taste is due to the presence of organic acids, as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and
succinic acid.
Dietary Use
Baobab fruit pulp provides soluble and insoluble fibers, with an amount of about 50 grams/100
grams of product. The insoluble fibers are not adsorbed by the intestine and are useful against
constipation and to induce satiety, due to their ability to increase the fecal mass and to stimulate
peristalsis. This latter aspect may be useful in case of hypocaloric diet.
Today, the dietary fiber has gained increased importance as a component of the diet, for their
capability to influence multiple aspects of the digestive physiology. The frequent consumption of
dietary fiber associated to a diet rich in vegetables, cereals and fruits has been found in relation
with the reduction of the risk of cancer involving the digestive tract, and in particular, the rectal
colon tract.
The dietary fiber levels are in average of 21 g/die (of which approximately 1/3 soluble) with
variations that go from 18 g/die in the northern regions to the 22 g/die in the southern regions of
Europe.
The optimal level of dietary fiber consumption has not yet been defined, but it is generally
accepted that the fibers must be fundamental in the composition of an healthy and balanced
diet.
Consumption through the diet of fiber rich foods is also in relation with the prevention of
constipation and overweight.
- The Baobab fruit pulp can be used as powder, or it can be dissolved in water in order to prepare a drink.
The powder can be diluted directly with milk or fruit juices.
Analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity
Experiments lead on rats showed that dosages between 400 and 800 mg/kg determine a
marked anti-inflammatory effect, and reduce a formalin-induced oedema in the animal. These
effects are comparable with those produced by 15 mg/kg of phenylbutazone, a common antiinflammatory
drug used as internal standard. This activity may be due to the presence of
sterols, saponins and triterpenes. The pulp also produced a marked analgesic and antipyretic
activity in mice at the oral dose of 800 mg/kg. This effect is similar to that induced by 50 mg/kg
of acetylsalicylic acid.
These results may explain the large employ of Adansonia digitata as antipyretic and febrifuge in
the folk medicine.
Treatment of dysentery and diarrhea
The typical feeding of the native African populations, and in particular of the children, essentially
consists of vegetables and flour, and is poor of milk, hypocaloric and hypoproteinic. This
potentially lead to development of rickets and cause organic dysfunctions as diarrhea and/or
dysentery.
The Baobab fruit pulp is used in the African countries as an effective anti-diarrhea product. A study conducted on
160 children, of the medium age of eight months, demonstrated that an aqueous solution of the Baobab fruit pulp,
is significantly more effective than the traditional "WHO solution" for rehydration of children affected with
diarrhea.
The main constituents responsible of this activity is believed to be tannins (astringent effect),
mucillages (absorbents), cellulose, citric acid and other typical constituent of the fruit pulp.
The Baobab fruit pulp shows interesting properties, in the stimulation of the intestinal microflora growth. Studies
carried out in qualified Research Centers evidence that the hydrosoluble fraction of the fruit pulp has stimulating
effects on the proliferation of Bifidobacteria in in vitro assays. In fact, soluble dietary fibers, as those contained in
the pulp (about 25%), are known to have prebiotics effects stimulating the growth and/or the metabolic activity of
beneficial organisms.
- Decoctions or milk
suspensions have been used for oral treatment of diarrhea and dysentery.
Antioxidant
Antioxidant effects may be obtained at concentration as low as 5 grams per day.
- To ensure an
high nutritional contribution of fibers, vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates, the suggested intake
goes from 5 to 25 grams of pulp diluted in water, fruit juices or milk depending on the effects
pursued.
- Tablets
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