Detarium senegalense

Detarium senegalense
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Family:	Caesalpiniaceae
Genus:	Detarium
Species:	D. senegalense
Binomial name
Detarium senegalense J.F.Gmel.

Detarium senegalense is a leguminous tree from the Caesalpiniaceae family that produces globular fruits^[1] commonly referred to as ditax, ditakh, and detar. This multi-purpose plant that, along with producing nutritious fruits,^[2] is also used for a number of medicinal purposes^[3] and for its quality timber.^[4] D. senegalense has great potential for promoting food security, contributing to sustainable land care and rural development. As its Linnaean name indicates, it is native to Senegal and the surrounding countries of West Africa.

Description

D. senegalense consists of medium-sized “tallow trees” that can grow up to 40 m tall.^[5] Coming from the Caesalpiniaceae family, these Angiosperm leguminous trees are dicots that grow thick and scattered branches. The trees can range from 60–100 cm in diameter.^[6] They produce globular drupe fruits that are characterized by their dark green coating, fibrous pulp, and seed.^[7] They are comparable to tamarind fruits which also originate from the Caelsapiniacae family.^[8] The fruits have an appealing sweet and sour flavour and a good shelf life due to a hard shell and dry pulp.^[9] Some trees produce toxic fruits and there is currently no method of differentiating these from trees that grow safe fruits.^[10]

Location and growing conditions

Trees of the Detarium genus have remained undomesticated, and their growth currently remains confined to countries throughout West Africa.^[11] The fruits produced by the D. senegalense tree were first described as “detar” in 1789, by De Jussieu in Senegal, Africa. Being discovered in Senegal, these trees still remain an important contributor to the country’s local food system and economy.^[12] Detarium senegalense trees are typically found growing in gallery forests, savannas,^[13] or along river banks.^[14]

D. senegalense trees are propagated by stones which are often distributed by elephants and chimpanzees who consume the fruits (elephants and chimpanzees in Senegambia?). Germination occurs 6–10 weeks after propagation, though the germination rate is typically low.^[15] Although tallow trees are leguminous, they do not fix significant amounts of nitrogen.^[16] The D. senegalense tree has two phases of fructification.^[17] Trees generally lose their leaves at the beginning of March and experience a renewal of leaves a few weeks later. After young leaves have developed, flowering occurs. As the fruits ripen, they develop a sweeter flavour and increased vitamin C content. Fruits reach full maturation from August–November depending on the climate of the region they are growing in.^[18] Trees are drought tolerant and have the ability to grow on infertile sites as they are relatively insensitive to soil, altitude, heat, and humidity.^[19] Their wood has good resistance to termites, pinhole borers, and marine bores; however, the wood is susceptible to Lyctus attack.^[20]

Consumption and uses

Different parts of the D. senegalense tree are utilized for a variety of purposes. This species is mainly used for its medicinal properties. The bark of the tree is most widely used in medicine for remedies including: the removal of the placenta after birth and treatment of anaemia;^[21] wounds, skin problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach ache and digestive disorders;^[22] tuberculosis,^[23] and in cases of heavy blood loss. Root decoctions are used to treat marasmus, debility, intestinal complaints,^[24] and convulsions.^[25] Leaf and shoot mixtures have been used in the treatment of dysentery, conjunctivitis,^[26] arthritis, fractures, and boils.^[27] Seeds have been effective in controlling blood-glucose levels in diabetic individuals, for the treatment of mosquito bites^[28] and as an antidote against arrow poison and snake bite.^[29] The “ofo” flour made from the seeds is often used as a soup thickener.^[30] Aside from being eaten directly, the pulp of the fruit can be made into sherbets, juices, marmalades,^[31] or dried like dates.^[32] The timber from the trees is referred to as “African mahogany” that is characterized by its dark reddish-brown shade. Though the wood is heavy, it is easy to work with due to its resistance to moisture, weathering, and pests such as termites and borers.^[33] It is primarily utilized in the construction of houses, fences, and boats, but also works efficiently as firewood as it lights well.^[34] D. senegalense trees are frequently employed in reforestation programs in areas of degraded land as they have the ability to grow on infertile soils.^[35]

Though there is limited information on the nutrient composition of the D. senegalense fruit, it appears to be a very healthful product. Per 100 g, sweet detar fruit contains 116 kcal energy, 1.9 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 29.6 g carbohydrates, 2.3 g fibre, 27 mg calcium, 48 mg phosphate, 0.14 mg thiamin and 0.05 mg riboflavin,^[36] 2.8 mg iron, 0.6 mg niacin, and, most notably, about 1200 mg vitamin C.^[37] In comparison to recommended daily vitamin and mineral requirements for an adult (in Canada), the fruit contains moderate amounts of thiamin and iron, an exceptional amount of vitamin C, and lesser quantities of the other vitamins and minerals measured.^[38] The fruit seeds are composed of approximately 12% protein, and are rich in rare amino acids lysine and tryptophan, and thus the “ofo” flour made from the seeds has an excellent amino acid composition.^[39] Leaves from the trees have demonstrated antiviral activity against a number of human and animal viruses and the bark has shown antibacterial activity against many pathogenic bacteria, justifying the medicinal properties of the plant.^[40]

Practical information

Fruits such as sweet detar can contribute to successful interventions to improve local livelihoods as they are rich in nutrients, require minimal preparation, and have flavours that appeal to many tastes.^[41] Storing sweet detar at temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius will preserve its quality by limiting the loss of vitamin C. As the fruit goes bad, the coating will change to a brown-yellow colour. A sieve is useful for separating debris and the seed from the pulp of the fruit and a mortar and pestle work well for pureeing the pulp.^[42] Though some D. senegalense trees produce toxic fruits, these are often identifiable by the presence of fruits remaining under the trees. If left behind, the trees are likely toxic as animals are normally very quick to take the fruits.^[43] Propagation time can be decreased by grafting. For the D. senegalense tree, the apical graft is the most effective when employed at the end of the dry season.^[44] It is also important to work toward increasing the local dependency and appreciation of wild fruits when creating interventions as there are some traditional negative stigmas and beliefs concerning the consumption of wild fruits. Conflicts around ownership may arise if trees remain undomesticated. A potential solution is the adoption of salvation forestry, where local people produce local products in a manner that guarantees them a share in the yields.^[45]

Notes

References

• Adenkunle, A., Afolayan, A., Okoh, B., Omotosho, T., Pendota, C., & Sowemimo, A. (2011). Chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, proximate analysis and mineral content of the seed of Detarium senegalense JF Gmelin. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(48), 9875-9879.
• El-Kamali, H. (2011). Detarium senegalense J.F.Gmel. R. Lemmens, D. Louppe & A. Oteng-Amoako (Eds.), Protabase. Wageningen, Netherlands: Retrieved from http://database.prota.org/search.htm
• Cisse, M., Dieme, O, Diop, N., Dornier, M., Ndiaye, A., & Sock, O. (2010). Le ditax (Detarium senegalense J. F. Gmel.) : principales caractéristiques et utilisations au Sénégal. Fruits, 65(5), 293-306.
• Akah, P., Nworu, C., Mbaoji, F., Nwabunike, I., & Onyeto, C. (2012). Genus Detarium: Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile. Phytopharmacology, 3(2), 367-375.
• National Research Council. (2008). Lost Crops of Africa Volume III: Fruits. Washington, D.C.: The National Academic Press, 330-337.
• Gaye, A. & Solviev, P. (2004). Optimisation du greffage pour trois espèces fruitières de cueillette des zones sahélo- soudaniennes: Balanites aegyptiaca, Detarium senegalense et Tamarindus indica. Tropicultura, 22(4), 199-203.
• Brown, J., Isaacs, J., Krinke, U., Lechtenberg, E., Murtaugh, M., Sharbaugh, C., Splett, P., Stang, J., & Wooldrige, N. (2011). Nutrition Through the Life Cycle (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

External links

• Detarium senegalense in West African plants – A Photo Guide.