Potentials of baobab in food systems

The current study aims to review the prospects for baobab domestication and cultivation, nutrient variability, food applications, industrial value and future potentials of the African baobab. The variations in nutrient content of baobab as seen in several studies could have arisen from differences i...

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Main Authors: Vivian Obiamaka Offiah, Kolawole O. Falade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-06-01
Series:Applied Food Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502223000380
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author Vivian Obiamaka Offiah
Kolawole O. Falade
author_facet Vivian Obiamaka Offiah
Kolawole O. Falade
author_sort Vivian Obiamaka Offiah
collection DOAJ
description The current study aims to review the prospects for baobab domestication and cultivation, nutrient variability, food applications, industrial value and future potentials of the African baobab. The variations in nutrient content of baobab as seen in several studies could have arisen from differences in provenance the sample was obtained, age of the parent plant, as well as differences in soil and climate. Regardless, baobab is a rich source of nutrients, bioactives and functional polysaccharides, representing a huge market potential for food industries. It has garnered widespread interest as a functional ingredient for preventive health care and disease management. Due to approvals given by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC), baobab fruit pulp has gained widespread popularity as a novel food ingredient. In addition, baobab fruit pulp offered as a dietary supplement has been used in its naturally dehydrated form or processed into pills. There are huge information gaps on processing and safety of baobab seed oil, use of baobab seeds and leaf powder - a rich source of mucilage, in food systems. An industrially significant product from baobab are the functional polysaccharides which are a rapidly advancing application. Baobab plant parts, fruit pulp, kernels, whole seeds, funicles, leaves, empty fruit shells and roots all inclusive, are of significant value for their key role in nutrition and health, food security and economic welfare of the rural communities in regions where the trees are originally found. Both traditional and novel applications of the various parts of the baobab tree have been explored in this paper. These include use in edible products like gruels, jams, yoghurt, wines, juice etc. Application of extrusion processing as an economical means of value addition to baobab commodities has been reviewed, especially relating to the classification of baobab as a neglected and underutilized species (NUS).
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spelling doaj.art-8e40180cb1504768b5d9b8c253e2f2d02023-06-15T04:57:46ZengElsevierApplied Food Research2772-50222023-06-0131100299Potentials of baobab in food systemsVivian Obiamaka Offiah0Kolawole O. Falade1Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Food Science and Technology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, Nigeria; Corresponding author at: Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, Department of Food Science and Technology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, Nigeria.Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaThe current study aims to review the prospects for baobab domestication and cultivation, nutrient variability, food applications, industrial value and future potentials of the African baobab. The variations in nutrient content of baobab as seen in several studies could have arisen from differences in provenance the sample was obtained, age of the parent plant, as well as differences in soil and climate. Regardless, baobab is a rich source of nutrients, bioactives and functional polysaccharides, representing a huge market potential for food industries. It has garnered widespread interest as a functional ingredient for preventive health care and disease management. Due to approvals given by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC), baobab fruit pulp has gained widespread popularity as a novel food ingredient. In addition, baobab fruit pulp offered as a dietary supplement has been used in its naturally dehydrated form or processed into pills. There are huge information gaps on processing and safety of baobab seed oil, use of baobab seeds and leaf powder - a rich source of mucilage, in food systems. An industrially significant product from baobab are the functional polysaccharides which are a rapidly advancing application. Baobab plant parts, fruit pulp, kernels, whole seeds, funicles, leaves, empty fruit shells and roots all inclusive, are of significant value for their key role in nutrition and health, food security and economic welfare of the rural communities in regions where the trees are originally found. Both traditional and novel applications of the various parts of the baobab tree have been explored in this paper. These include use in edible products like gruels, jams, yoghurt, wines, juice etc. Application of extrusion processing as an economical means of value addition to baobab commodities has been reviewed, especially relating to the classification of baobab as a neglected and underutilized species (NUS).http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502223000380BaobabCultivationDomesticationFunctional foodExtruded food
spellingShingle Vivian Obiamaka Offiah
Kolawole O. Falade
Potentials of baobab in food systems
Applied Food Research
Baobab
Cultivation
Domestication
Functional food
Extruded food
title Potentials of baobab in food systems
title_full Potentials of baobab in food systems
title_fullStr Potentials of baobab in food systems
title_full_unstemmed Potentials of baobab in food systems
title_short Potentials of baobab in food systems
title_sort potentials of baobab in food systems
topic Baobab
Cultivation
Domestication
Functional food
Extruded food
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502223000380
work_keys_str_mv AT vivianobiamakaoffiah potentialsofbaobabinfoodsystems
AT kolawoleofalade potentialsofbaobabinfoodsystems