Irvingia gabonensis
| Irvingia gabonensis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ogbono nuts | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Irvingiaceae |
| Genus: | Irvingia |
| Species: | I. gabonensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke)Baill.
| |
| |
| Natural occurrence ofIrvingia gabonensisin Africa | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Irvingia barteriHook.f. | |
Irvingia gabonensisis a species ofAfricantreesin the genusIrvingia,sometimes known by the common nameswild mango,African mango,orbush mango.They bear ediblemango-like fruits, and are especially valued for theirfat- andprotein-rich nuts.
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Irvingia gabonensisis indigenous to the humid forest zone from the northern tip ofAngola,includingCongo,DR Congo,Nigeria,Ivory Coastand south-westernUganda.[2][3]Since 2009, theGabonesegovernment has prohibited logging of the andok tree until 2034.[4]
Biophysical limits
[edit]The tree is present in the tropical wet and dry climate zone.[5]African bush mango grows naturally in canopied jungle,gallery forestsandsemi-deciduousforests. It grows at altitudes from 200–500 m (660–1,640 ft) with annual rainfalls from 1,200–1,500 mm (47–59 in).[2]Supported temperature ranges from 20–38 °C (68–100 °F). Soils more than 150 cm (59 in) deep are needed, with a moderate fertility and good drainage.pHcan range from 4.5 to 7.5.
Description
[edit]Irvingia gabonensisgrows straight, up to a height of 40 m (130 ft) and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter.[2]It has buttresses to a height of 3m (10 ft). The outerbarkis smooth to scaly with grey to yellow-grey color. The crown is evergreen, spherical and dense. Leaves are elliptic, onemarginis often a little rounder than the other, acuminate, dark green and glossy on the upper surface. Flowers are yellow to greenish-white in smallpanicles.[2]The flowers are bisexual. The fruit is nearly spherical, green when ripe with a bright orange pulp. The stone is woody and contains one seed. Seeds germinateepigeally(above ground).[2]
Ecology
[edit]Irvingia gabonensisis insect-pollinated byColeoptera,Diptera,HymenopteraandLepidoptera.[2]It flowers from March to June and has two fruiting seasons: from April to July and from September to October.[3] Seeds are dispersed by vertebrates, including elephants and gorillas. With a reduction in the number of those animals, the spread and regeneration of African bush mango decreases and it becomes more dependent on human planting.[6]
Cultivation
[edit]In the past, 90% of African bush mango products were harvested from scattered, wild trees.[3]African bush mango trees were not cultivated initially, because it was believed, that it took up to 15 years for a tree to bear fruit. Although they were not artificially planted, their occurrence was high because they were also rarely harvested for timber. In a plantation using marcots (air-layering plants), flower production was observed within two to four years after planting.[3] Germination from seeds is low and when they are not handled appropriately, most fail.[3]The seeds are mostly extracted by breaking fruits by hand.[3]
Breeding
[edit]Thedomesticationof African bush mango is in its early stages.[3]Around 1990,vegetative propagationallowed massreplicationandselection.Grafting, budding,air-layering,marcotting and cuttings are feasible when they are applied to young wood.[3]
Uses
[edit]Thefruitsare often eaten fresh byhumansand othermammalssuch asmonkeys,gorillas,elephantsand many more. As it is naturally and predominantly found in parts ofAfrica,it has been popularly called African mango.[2]The fruits are processed into jelly, jam, juice and sometimes even wine.[5]The pulp has also been used to prepare black dye for cloth coloration.
Theseed coathas to be cracked open to get to theendosperm.Seeds, also called dika nuts, are eaten raw or roasted. Mostly however they are pounded to butter- or a chocolate-like block.[6]Seeds can be pressed to produce an edible oil (solid at ambient temperatures) or margarine used for cooking. The oil can also be processed further to soap or cosmetics.[6]Thepress cakecan be used as cattle feed or asthickening agentfor soup. Seeds can be ground or crushed and used as a thickening and flavoring agent in soups and stews.[2]They can also be made into a cake called "dika bread" for preservation.[2]
The nuts are often used in the Gabonese cuisine to season poultry and meat dishes, such as the poulet à l'odika. The ground nuts provide a smoked scent to the meals.
The wood is hard and therefore used for heavy construction work as making ships' decks or railway ties.[2]Dead branches are used as firewood.[6]
The trees are used inagroforestrysystems to shade other crops, especially cocoa and coffee. They are also used to reduce erosion. Cities have started using them to shade streets, as shelter belts, or for beautification.
Thousands of tons of African bush mango seeds are traded each year, mostly within Africa.[7]
Nutrition
[edit]The edible seeds provide 697caloriesin a 100 gram portion and the followingnutrients:[6]
| Fat | 67 g |
| Carbohydrate | 15 g |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Water | 4 g |
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Iron | 2.4 mg |
The approximatefatty acidcomposition in seeds includesmyristic acid(33–70%),lauric acid(20–59%),oleic acid(1–11%),palmitic acid(2%) andstearic acid(1%).[6]
Unlike the pulp of some otherIrvingiaspp., the pulp ofIrvingia gabonensistastes juicy and sweet and is eaten fresh. A 100 gram portion of fruit pulp provides 61 calories and includes:
| Water | 81 g |
| Carbohydrate | 15.7 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Phosphorus | 40 mg |
| Calcium | 20 mg |
| Vitamin C | 7 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
Fruit pulp flavor components includezingiberene,cinnamic acid,dodecanalanddodecanol,resulting in spicy, earthy, fruity, and wine-yeast characteristics.[6]
Weight control
[edit]Food supplementsfromIrvingia gabonensis,under the name "African mango" are marketed for management ofbody weight.Clinical trialsto date have not confirmed their efficacy, although ameta-analysisconcluded thatIrvingia gabonensisshowed "some potential benefit for weight loss",[8]stating that "it appears to be safe and well tolerated as the most common adverse effects are headache,flatulence,and difficulty sleeping "but that" due to the limited data,Irvingia gabonensiscannot be recommended at this time. "[8]
References
[edit]- ^World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998)."Irvingia gabonensis".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.1998:e.T33055A9754010.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33055A9754010.en.Retrieved19 November2021.
- ^abcdefghij"Irvingia gabonensis".AgroForestryTree Database.World Agroforestry Centre. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-10-24.Retrieved2012-12-08.
- ^abcdefghLost Crops of Africa.Vol. 2, Vegetables. Washington DC:National Academies Press.2006. pp. 119–135.ISBN0-309-10333-9.
- ^Iponga, Donald Midoko; Mikolo-Yobo, Christian; Lescuyer, Guillaume; Assoumou, Fidèle Mba; Levang, Patrice; Tieguhong, Julius Chupezi; Ngoye, Alfred (2018-02-01)."The contribution of NTFP-gathering to rural people's livelihoods around two timber concessions in Gabon".Agroforestry Systems.92(1): 157–168.Bibcode:2018AgrSy..92..157I.doi:10.1007/s10457-016-0022-0.ISSN1572-9680.
- ^ab"Irvingia gabonensis".Ecocrop.Food and Agriculture Organization.1993–2007. Archived fromthe originalon 2019-10-13.
- ^abcdefgTchoundjeu Z, Atangana, AR (2007)."Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill".Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA); van der Vossen HAM, Mkamilo GS (Editors); Wageningen, Netherlands. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-09-24.Retrieved30 June2016.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^Moloney, Cornelius Alfred; Druce, Herbert.; Shelley, G. E. (1887).Sketch of the forestry of West Africa with particular reference to its present principal commercial products.London: S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington.doi:10.5962/bhl.title.55733.
- ^abEgras, Amy M.; Hamilton, William R.; Lenz, Thomas L.; Monaghan, Michael S. (2011)."An Evidence-Based Review of Fat Modifying Supplemental Weight Loss Products".Journal of Obesity.2011:1–7.doi:10.1155/2011/297315.PMC2931392.PMID20847896.
External links
[edit]- "Irvingia gabonensis".Forest Products Laboratory Tech Sheet.United States Department of Agriculture.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-02-12.Retrieved2010-12-15.
- "Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill".Protabase record display.Prota. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-02-12.Retrieved2010-12-15.