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The baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is found widely in the forests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. The baobab fruit has a sour and slightly sweet taste and is widely consumed by the natives, thus containing a high nutritional value and providing a source of income for rural people. This study aimed to compare the nutritional composition of baobab fruit pulp from different localities in the Namibe province (Angola). Twenty samples of baobab pulp were collected in markets of the four municipalities of Namibe. The results obtained showed that there is some geographic location dependence on nutritional and functional composition. The municipality of Camucuio showed samples with higher fibre content (56.62 g/100 g) and vitamin C (288.9 mg/100 g). Samples from the Virei municipality stood out for their antioxidant activity (1936 mmol TE/100 g), high K content (42.4 mg/g) and higher values of protein (2.42 g/100 g). The samples collected in the municipality of Bibala stood out for their high contents of carbohydrates (28.1 g/100 g), total phenolic compounds (972 mg GAE/100 g) and Ca (3.80 mg/g). Despite the differences in origin, the high nutritional value of baobab fruit has the potential to improve the diet of thousands of people in Africa qualitatively.

The year 2016 witnessed the fall of a symbol of the botanical world: the historic Chapman baobab of Botswana. This article presents the results of our investigation of the standing and fallen tree. The Chapman baobab had an open ring-shaped structure composed of six partially fused stems. Several wood samples collected from the stems prior and after their collapse were analysed by using radiocarbon dating. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 1381 ± 22 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1345 (+10, −15) calendar years. The dating results show that the six stems of the Chapman baobab belonged to three different generations, which were 1350–1400, 800–1000 and 500–600 years old. The growth rate variation of the largest and oldest stem is presented and correlated with the climate evolution in the area over the past 1000 years. The factors that determined the sudden fall and death of the Chapman baobab are also presented and discussed.

Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) leaves serve as food and has several medicinal uses in many parts of the world. This study evaluated the influence of blanching on the phenolics composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibitory effect of methanol extract of A. digitata leaves on the activities of some key enzymes (α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and aldose reductase) implicated in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in vitro. Reverse‐phase HPLC analysis revealed that the leaves had appreciable levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including catechin, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin (flavonoids); gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, and ellagic acids (phenolic acids). Blanching caused significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the flavonoids and phenolic acids contents; DPPH* (2,2 diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical) and ABTS*+ [2,2‐azinobis (3‐ethyl‐benzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radical cation] scavenging ability; reducing power; and Fe2+‐induced lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity of the extract. Similarly, the inhibitory effect of the extract on the activities of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and aldose reductase was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced due to blanching. Thus, A. digitata leaves extract could be effective for the management of T2D due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids content, antioxidant properties, and inhibitory potency on the activities of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and aldose reductase. However, blanching militated against the levels of these functional attributes of the leaves and, therefore, may not be recommended for their optimal retention. The influence of blanching on the phenolics composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibitory ability of methanol extract of A. digitata leaves on the activities of some key enzymes implicated in the pathology and complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) was evaluated in vitro. The raw leaves had appreciable levels of health‐benefiting flavonoids and phenolic acids, displayed antioxidant activity and inhibited some key enzymes implicated in the pathology and complications of T2D. However, blanching decreased these functionalities of the leaves.

Adansonia digitata and Annona muricata are traditionally used medicinal plants with reported pharmacological properties. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of partition fractions of Adansonia digitata and Annona muricata extracts obtained using chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvent systems. The plant extracts were successively partitioned using chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvent systems. Phytochemical analysis was performed using standard methods. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using FRAP and DPPH assays. Antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and MIC determination. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids (10.2-15.6%), flavonoids (8.5-12.1%), and phenolic acids (5.6-9.2%) in all fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction of Annona muricata exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 20.5 μg/mL) in the DPPH assay, while the chloroform fraction of Adansonia digitata showed significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 35.2 μg/mL) in the FRAP assay. The antibacterial evaluation demonstrated that the chloroform fraction of Adansonia digitata exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.5-1.5 mg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas the ethyl acetate fraction of Annona muricata showed potent antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.25-1.0 mg/mL) against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, the ethanol fraction of Adansonia digitata displayed moderate antibacterial activity (MIC = 1.0-2.5 mg/mL) against Gram-positive bacteria, and the aqueous fraction of Annona muricata exhibited weak antibacterial activity (MIC = 2.5-5.0 mg/mL) against all tested bacterial strains. Comparison of antioxidant and antibacterial activities among fractions revealed significant variations, indicating the importance of solvent selection in extracting bioactive compounds. The study validates the traditional use of Adansonia digitata and Annona muricata, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents.

The study evaluated effects of feeding Malawi Zebu steers with diets containing baobab (Adansonia digitata) seed meal and white thorn tree (Vachellia polyacantha) leaf-meal as alternative protein sources to soybean meal on dry matter intake (DMI), total tract nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial nitrogen supply and growth performance. Thirty Malawi Zebu steers (181 ± 21.4 kg and 29 months), put into individual pens, were randomly assigned to three treatments (10 steers per treatment) made up of rangeland hay and maize bran with either baobab seed meal (baobab diet), V. polyacantha leaf-meal (Vachellia diet), or soybean meal (soybean diet, control) as the protein source. Steers fed the soybean and baobab diets had higher (P ≤ 0.05) DMI, final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and total tract nutrient digestibility of DM, NDF, CP and crude fat than those fed the Vachellia diet. Steers fed the soybean diet had the highest feed conversion ratio followed by those fed the baobab and Vachellia diets, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Steers fed the baobab diet had the highest rumen microbial N followed by the soybean- and Vachellia-fed steers in that order (P ≤ 0.05). Steers fed the baobab diet had higher microbial N supply, comparable DMI, ADG, FCR, and nutrient digestibility to the soybean diet. The baobab seed meal could be an alternative protein source to the soybean meal for beef production in Malawi.

An ethnobotanical study was conducted from 2010 to 2011 across the country of Togo in order to investigate the population's ethnobotanical knowledge of the African baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.). The overall objective of this study was to contribute to the conservation of the baobab species and the promotion of its products. The specific objectives were: (i) to assess the variation in endogenous knowledge of uses of baobab according to ethnic group, gender, age, religion and occupation, and (ii) to determine the inter-ethnic convergence of the use of different parts of the species. Data collection was based on a series of 205 ethnobotanical semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, involving 712 respondents from 16 ethnic groups. The assessment of the participants' knowledge was based on four use indices: the mean reported use of the plant, the plant part value, the specific use value and the interspecific use value. The results showed a significant difference in use knowledge between ethnic groups (p = 0.000). However, sex, age, religion, and occupation did not affect the level of knowledge. The following ethnic groups such as the Kabye, Moba, Gourma, and Nawdba, located in the northern part of the country showed the highest level of knowledge regarding the use of different parts of the baobab, while the ethnic groups composed by the Akposso, Ewe and Mina, located in the southern part, used the plant less. Dietary (99.51%) and therapeutic uses of the baobab (80%) were most reported. The plant parts reported as being the most used were the pulp (92.20%) and the leaves (87.32%). In view of the ever increasing importance of the baobab (dietary, therapeutic, economic, etc.), it is imperative that the promotion of the conservation of this species through the rational utilization of its different parts be a priority as part of the global strategy for phytogenetic resource conservation.

Adansonia digitata L. fruit, also known as baobab, has been used traditionally throughout the world for its medicinal properties. Ethnopharmacological uses of various plant parts have been reported for hydration, antipyretic, antiparasitic, antitussive, and sudorific properties and also in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in many African countries. Several studies have revealed that in addition to these applications, baobab has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial activities. The health benefits of baobab have been attributed to its bioactive compounds, namely phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanins, tannins, catechins, and carotenoids. Baobab fruit is also an important source of vitamin C and micronutrients, including zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and protein, which may reduce nutritional deficiencies. Despite scientific studies revealing that this fruit has a wide diversity of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on health, there is a gap in the review of information about their mechanisms of action and critical analysis of clinical trials exploring, in particular, their effect on glycemia regulation. This work aims to present a current overview of the bioactive compounds, biological activities, and effects of A. digitata fruit on blood glucose, highlighting their potential mechanisms of action and effects on glycemia regulation, evaluated in recent animal and human trials.

Background: Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), also known as baobab, is a tree attracting recent interest especially due to the high nutritional value of the fruit pulp. However, few studies are reported on the secondary metabolite content, showing high variability depending on the geographic region. Methods: In this study, the chemical profiles of Malian commercial baobab fruits and leaves, focused on phenolic content, were investigated by HPLC coupled with a photodiode array (PDA)/UV and an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)/MS. In addition, the extracts of fruit pulps obtained from three different markets (Fruits 1, 2, and 3) were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition. Results: Baobab fruit pulps were found to be rich in procyanidins and flavonol glycosides, with tiliroside as the major constituent. The baobab leaves showed a similar profile respect to the fruits, but with more detected phenolics. All fruit pulp extracts exerted antioxidant activity (highest for Fruit 3) and higher α-glucosidase inhibition than acarbose used as standard. Conclusions: This study confirmed the variability of baobab with different origins and indicated Malian species baobab as a promising source of health-promoting substances.

Sudan is rich country for natural products like Adansonia digitata is locally name Gongolase and Tabldy, this plant has gained an interest for study because have many therapeutic benefits and low side effects and have high demand in the world market and is expected to be replace chemical products. Plant pulp extracts contain chemical constituents such as polyphenol, which are responsible for Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic activity. The current studied investigates of the edible parts of Adansonia digitata ethanoic pulp extract against bacteria, fungi and anticancer. HPLC used to identify the polyphenol compound, agar well diffusion method used to estimate the antimicrobial activity, the method of dilution in liquid medium was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), (MBC) and to estimate anticancer of pulp edible parts of Adansonia digitata used MTT protocol. Polyphenol constituents of Adansonia digitata pulp extracts was examined by HPLC contained compounds have antimicrobial activity to pathogenic bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539), fungi Candida albicans (ATCC 10221), Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888) compare with antibiotic for bacteria (Gentamicin) and for fungi (Fluconazole), also have cytotoxicity against six cancer cell line such as, Hela (The line is derived from cervical cancer), Hep G2 (a human liver cancer), A549 (lung cancer), A-431 (cells epidermis carcinoma), PC3 (a human prostate cancer) and T-47D (human breast cancer cell line).

Malnutrition is a global problem driven by food systems that impact climate and biodiversity. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) could improve diets, but what drives their choices and consumption, particularly in low and middle-income countries, is poorly documented. This study investigated the influences of the personal food environment on the consumption of NUS in three communities in the department of Atacora in northern Benin. Following a purposive sampling strategy, 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with locals and 18 with professional experts. 12 group discussions with villagers from six villages in the three communes complemented and deepened the information gathered, focusing on both barriers and factors for enhancing consumption. The data collected was translated and transcribed into French and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with Atlas.ti software. Among the investigated plant parts, an upward trend was found for Moringa oleifera leaves and Vigna radiata seeds, a downward trend for Adansonia digitata pulps, and a varied trend for Ocimum gratissimum leaves and Adansonia digitata kernels and leaves. Drivers for changes in consumption were found in all four dimensions of the food environment. Among the plant parts with the main increasing trend in consumption, various aspects of desirability, above all increased food and nutrition knowledge and skills, led to a positive consumption trend. The downward trend has most often been attributed to declining accessibility, but several aspects have also made these plant parts less affordable and less desirable (taboos for example). The strong variation in dimensions’ influence on plant parts with variable trends reflects their non-unanimous changes. Research and policies should address the factors influencing the consumption of these foods. Making neglected species more accessible, affordable, and desirable can enhance food security and environmental sustainability.