#Properties#
Properties of Baobab and Baobab pulp powder
A superfood rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, Baobab is found in most semi-arid and sub-humid regions of the south of the Sahara as well as in western Madagascar. This exceptional and thousand-year-old tree has flowers (pollinated by frugivorous bats) which will grow fruits called "monkey bread”. The etymology of baobab is derived from the Arabic "bu hibab" which means "fruit with many seeds".
The baobab, which can store up to 140,000 liters of water during the rainy season, has fortifying, toning and energizing properties [1]. Indeed, the pulp of the "upside down tree" or even of the "palaver tree" has multiple therapeutic advantages, including its prebiotic feature which promotes digestive health. A study conducted by the
Döhler [2] group has demonstrated the effectiveness of our Natural Origins powder, stimulating good intestinal bacteria and the only baobab-based ingredient on the market that has benefited from an in vitro study to verify its prebiotic activity.
The pulp of its fruit, rich in nutrients, is also widely used for its medicinal properties as a remedy: febrifuge, analgesic, anti-diarrheal and anti-dysenteric.
There is a considerable content of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium in baobab pulp . It contains six times more potassium than bananas and twice as much calcium as milk. Baobab pulp powder also contains a large amount of essential vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 as well as copper, iron, manganese and zinc [3]. Its ascorbic acid content positions this superfruit among the fruits richest in vitamin C.
A new natural ally, Baobab offers broad prospects both for its nutritional richness and for its antioxidant properties. Baobab's many medicinal and nutritional uses make it an excellent nutraceutical product.
[1] Doll, Présidente RAKOTO Danielle Aurore, and Examinateurs RAHANITRARIVONY Veronirina. "POTENTIALITES NUTRITIONNELLES, POUVOIR ANTIOXYDANT ET FACTEURS ANTINUTRITIONNELS DE LA PULPE DES BAOBABS MALGACHES."
[2] A Pectin-Rich, Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder Exerts Prebiotic Potential on the Human Gut Microbiome In Vitro - PubMed - Microorganisms. 2021 Sep 17;9(9):1981. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9091981. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34576876/
[3] CISSÉ, Ibrahima. Caractérisation des propriétés biochimiques et nutritionnelles de la pulpe de baobab des espèces endémiques de Madagascar et d'Afrique continentale en vue de leur valorisation. 2012. Thèse de doctorat. Montpellier SupAgro.
See all our references below:
#Species and parts used#
Species and parts of the Baobab used
The Adansonia digitata L. Baobabfrom Africa and particularly from Ghana, belongs to the Bombacaceae family; it differs from other species of Adansonia by the very large diameter of its trunk (10 m) and its pendulous flowers. Essentially consumed in its natural state for its fruits or leaves, Baobab is anchored in the secular cultures of the Sahelian zones.
Very characteristic, this imposing tree produces dry 150 to 300g oblong shaped berries , whose numerous seeds are mixed with a floury acidic pulp and low water content. When ripe, a Baobab can produce more than 200 fruits per year.
After separating the seeds, the pulp is traditionally used in various preparations and porridges such as "mutchoyan" in Benin or "ngalakh" in Senegal. It is sometimes used as a coagulant for milk, or as an ingredient to activate fermentation or thicken mixtures. Finally, with the addition of water, the pulp of the Baobab fruit makes it possible to obtain sugary drinks, rich in vitamin C. The seeds which contain around 15% of lipids are cooked, roasted or used as a powder.
See all our references below:
#Origin & quality#
Origin and quality of Baobab
Our Baobab comes mainly from Ghana, where more than 1,000 small farmers pick the fruits by hand, open them one by one and extract the pulp to be dried in the sun. For the transformation of the pulp into powder, we collaborate in an equitable and united manner with a cooperative managed by a local NGO. By creating this partnership, Natural Origins has set up a responsible and sustainable supply chain.
We carry out on-site checks on the microbiological quality of the Baobab powder and analyse the presence of contaminants. In France, upon receipt of each batch, rigorous additional analyses are carried out by recognised laboratories in Europe and the USA, thus ensuring our customers an optimal quantity in terms of the nutritional intake of our Baobab powder (fibers, vitamins and minerals). Backed by this expertise, Natural Origins is committed to guaranteeing the traceability and quality of its ingredient.
See all our references below:
