Lost Crops of Africa Volume III: Fruits (2008) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
III 1-03 BUTTERFRUIT
III 1-03 BUTTERFRUIT
Pages 60-75
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 61... ...
That would contribute to enhancing the welfare 1 In popular literature this fruit is often called "African pear" or "bush mango," awkward terms that are botanically and culinarily misleading. A common English name in Central Africa is just "plum," "bush plum," or "African plum," due to its shape and color.
|
From page 62... ...
In southeastern Nigeria, for example, it is traditionally used to get through the hungry season.2 On nutritional grounds alone, the more extensive use of butterfruits could 2 Information from J.C. Okafor.
|
From page 63... ...
Although presently unemployed or even untested in nutrition programs, it could in principle prove a lifesaver for children, nursing mothers, and the desperately sick. In this regard, the essential amino acid concentrations are noteworthy.
|
From page 64... ...
A few pioneering researchers, however, have established experimental plantings in both Nigeria and Congo, and have achieved results that point the way toward larger scale production.5 Also, oil extraction has advanced to the commercial stage in Gabon and is being tested in Nigeria and Cameroon. And in CongoBrazzaville, oil processing is being carried out on a pilot scale (100 kg per hour, using an electric oil press)
|
From page 65... ...
Butterfruits are quite unlike avocado in size, shape, or color, but they are very like avocado in their soft, buttery pulp, and in their rich protein and high oil content. Within Africa Considering the place this fruit occupies in its native region, there seems every reason to expect that its improved cultivation will be profitable and rewarding there.
|
From page 66... ...
Taken all round, the species' prospects for both reforestation and nutrition programs seem to be excellent throughout much of the tropics. USES This is another of the versatile crops producing multiple products of importance to rural peoples, including the following: Fresh Fruits The fruits can be eaten raw, but the pulp softens and comes off the seed easiest after a brief heating.
|
From page 67... ...
The kernel found inside the stone at the center of the fruit contains over 3 percent protein (wet weight basis) , and is commonly fed to sheep and goats.
|
From page 68... ...
Although fresh seeds germinate readily, they quickly lose viability. (Clean ones reportedly remain viable 21 days; those with the pulp attached only 7 days.)
|
From page 69... ...
Vegetative propagation provides the opportunity to multiply the female trees, especially ones with desirable traits. HARVESTING AND HANDLING The fruits are ripe when they have darkened from pink to blue/black.
|
From page 70... ...
Its combination of high protein, high energy, and good mineral profile makes it a promising weapon for fighting malnutrition. Now is the right moment to test its potential as a lifesaver for children, nursing mothers, and the desperately sick.
|
From page 71... ...
Already, it is known that pruning seedling trees to a height of 1-1.5 m produces dwarfing.18 Gathering the Diversity This species offers a huge range of genetic diversity. Selection for such things as fruit size, pulp thickness, fruit quality, taste, seed-oil content, tree height, and fruiting season all offer promising possibilities for horticultural progress.
|
From page 72... ...
These could help make the fruit available out-of-season, and especially in the "hungry season" when nutrients such as this fruit provides are hard to find. Nutrient losses using various storage, processing, and preservation techniques also need detailing.
|
From page 73... ...
Only female flowers produce fruit of course. Although the amounts vary, female inflorescences tend to be very productive.
|
From page 74... ...
Horticultural Varieties There are no named cultivars but, botanically speaking, the species involves at least two distinct varieties:22 • Dacryodes edulis var. edulis has large fruit, usually more than 5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide; • Dacryodes edulis var.
|
From page 75... ...
None of the others has received even the pitiful amount of research accorded the butterfruit. Yet some species produce edible fruits.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.