Thaumatococcus daniellii
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Thaumatococcus daniellii is a rhizomatous, perennial herb
native to the tropical regions of West Africa. It is widely recognized for its
sweet-tasting protein, thaumatin, which is extracted from the plant's aril and
is about 2,000-3,000 times sweeter than sucrose. Scientific
Classification
Synonyms:
Donax daniellii
(Benn.) Roberty; Monostiche daniellii (Benn.) Horan.; Phrynium
daniellii Benn. Common Names: Miracle berry Local Names: Ewe-eeran; Species ID: NMP-184;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 4621;wfo-0000571362 Description Thaumatococcus
daniellii grows up to 3.5 meters in height with large, ovate-elliptic leaves
that can be up to 60 cm long and 40 cm wide. The plant produces fleshy,
trigonal fruits that turn dark red-brown when ripe. The flowers are pale purple
and arise from the lowest node of the rhizome. Distribution
and Habitat This
species thrives in the moist, lowland tropical forests of West Africa, from
Sierra Leone to Zaire. It prefers shaded environments and grows best in
well-drained, loamy to clayey soils with a pH range of 4.5 to 5. It can
tolerate a range of annual temperatures from 15°C to 35°C and requires a mean
annual rainfall between 1,700 and 2,300 mm. Medicinal
Properties Thaumatococcus
daniellii is used in traditional medicine in several African countries. The
aril is known for its use as a non-caloric sweetener, making it suitable for
diabetic patients. Additionally, it is utilized as a laxative and emetic and
for treating pulmonary problems. The leaf sap is used as an antidote for
venoms, stings, and bites, while both leaf and root saps are employed as
sedatives and treatments for insanity. Toxicity There
are no significant reports of toxicity associated with Thaumatococcus
daniellii. The plant is considered safe for consumption and medicinal use,
especially given its long history of traditional applications. Additional
Uses The
leaves of Thaumatococcus daniellii are widely used for wrapping food, such as
moi-moi (bean pudding) and other traditional dishes in Nigeria. The petioles
are used for weaving mats and crafting tools, while the entire leaf can serve
as roofing material. The seeds produce a jelly-like substance that can
substitute for agar.
References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaumatococcus_daniellii https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/5/2504
https://punchng.com/nigerias-medicinal-plants-thaumatococcus-daniellii-ewe-iran/
https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Thaumatococcus+daniellii
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| Compounds of Thaumatococcus daniellii |
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