| Pentaclethra macrophylla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Seed | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Pentaclethra |
| Species: | P. macrophylla |
| Binomial name | |
| Pentaclethra macrophylla | |
Pentaclethra macrophylla, also known as the African oil bean, tree is a large size tree with long bipinnate compound leaves that is endemic to West and Central Africa. It is within the family Fabaceae. Seeds of the species are prepared and fermented to make Ugba, a soup condiment in Nigeria.
Description
A large tree that is capable of growing up to 36 meters tall, mature trees are scaly, brown barked and low branching; the base of the tree has thick buttressed roots while the trunk is gnarled and twisted.[1] Leaves, up to 45 cm long, alternate, bipinnately compound in arrangement, 9-13 pairs of opposite pinnae with 8-14 pairs of leaflets per pinnae, leaflets are rhombic in shape; stipule is 3–5 mm long and petiole can be up to 8 cm long.[2] Leaflets are oblong to elliptical in outline, 1.2-2.5 cm long and 5–8 mm wide, apex is rounded to obtuse, leaf base is unequal, either auriculate or cuneate. Inflorescence, terminal or axial, up tp 30 cm long in spiciform panicles; calyx tube is 0.7 mm long, calyx lobes are 5, up to 0.5 mm long, petals are also 5, up to 3 mm long. Flowers are fragrant and pale yellow in color, flowering period is between February and April. Fruit is a dark brown -blackish pod, up to 50 cm long, 10 cm wide and 2 cm in thickness, 6-10, seeded, the seeds that have a purplish brown testa, are 3.5–6 cm long and up to 1 cm thick.[1]
Distribution
Occurs in the forest zones of Senegal eastwards to Sudan and southwards to Angola.
Uses
After processing and fermentation, the processed seeds containing carbohydrates that is rich in fructose and glucose, fatty oil that is rich in oleic and linoleic acid, protein and amino acids are used as condiments in soups and salad or eaten.[3][4] Oil extracts from the seeds are used to make 'owala' butter, an ingredient used in making candles, lubricants and ointments in Central Africa.[5]
A decoction of the bark is applied as a topical treatment for sores and wounds.[6] In parts of Nigeria, leaf extracts are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea related ailments.
References
- 1 2 Voorhoeve, A. G. (1979). Liberian high forest trees: a systematic botanical study of the 75 most important or frequent high forest trees, with reference to numerous related species (2nd impr ed.). Wageningen: Pudoc. ISBN 90-220-0701-4. OCLC 63303450.
- ↑ Vegetable oils. Herbert Andries Marie van der Vossen, Geoffrey S. Mkamilo. Wageningen: PROTA Foundation. 2007. p. 134. ISBN 978-90-5782-191-2. OCLC 907177866.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Obeta, J. a. N. (1983). "A note on the micro-organisms associated with the fermentation of seeds of the African oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla)". Journal of Applied Bacteriology. 54 (3): 433–435. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.1983.tb02639.x. ISSN 1365-2672.
- ↑ Achinewhu, S.C. (1986). "The effect of fermentation on carbohydrate and fatty acid composition of African oil bean seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla)". Food Chemistry. 19 (2): 105–116. doi:10.1016/0308-8146(86)90104-4.
- ↑ Olotu, Ifeoluwa; Enujiugha, Victor; Obadina, Adewale; Owolabi, Kikelomo (2014). "Fatty acid profile of gamma‐irradiated and cooked African oil bean seed ( Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth)". Food Science & Nutrition. 2 (6): 786–791. doi:10.1002/fsn3.176. ISSN 2048-7177. PMC 4256584. PMID 25493197.
- ↑ Asoegwu, S.; Ohanyere, S.; Kanu, O.; Iwueke, C. (2006). "Physical Properties of African Oil Bean Seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla)". Cigr E-Journal: The Cigr Journal of Agricultural Engineering Scientific Research and Development. ISSN 1682-1130.