A review of baobab (Adansonia digitata) products: Effect of processing techniques, medicinal properties and uses

A general literature review including the effect of processing techniques, medicinal value and uses of baobab tree is reported in this manuscript. Baobab tree has multi-purpose uses, as it produces food and non-food products such as medicines, fuel, timber, fodder. Every part of the baobab tree is reported to be useful. The seeds, leaves, roots, flowers, fruit pulp and bark of baobab are edible. Baobab leaves are used in the preparation of soup. Seeds are used as a thickening agent in soups, but they can be fermented and used as a flavouring agent or roasted and eaten as snacks. The pulp is either sucked or made into a drink and was found to be acidic. The acceptability and optimal utilization of baobab parts as nutrient source is limited by the presence of antinutrients such as protease inhibitors, tannins and phytates but the processing techniques may reduce or destroy the antinutrients present in it. Baobab leaves, bark, roots, pulp and seeds are used for multiple medicinal purposes in many parts of Africa and were found to show interesting medicinal properties including antioxidant, prebiotic-like activity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic activity, anti-diarrhoea, anti-dysentery activity and excipient. Key words: Baobab, antinutritional factors, biological activity, process of seeds, pulps and leaves, uses.