HEALTH VALUE OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEANS

HEALTH VALUE OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEANS

African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) is a perennial deciduous plant or tree of the Fabaceae family (Sub. Family of mimosoideae). It is found in a wide range of environments in Africa, it is primarily grown for its pods that contain both a sweet pulp and valuable seed or bean mostly used as a spice for soups and stews they are also useful for maintaining a healthy body.

In West Africa countries, almost all the part of Parkia biglobosa are used for medicine, such as its bark, leaves, roots, flowers, and seed to treat parasitic infections, circulatory system disorders( arterial hypertension), digestive system and other ailment.

The most valuable part of this tree is the seed, the seed are high in Lipid   (29%), Protein (35%), Carbohydrate (16%), essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, fat, potassium, vitamin C, and phosphorus.

Processing (Basically, fermentation) of locust bean seeds is very crucial as it helps to boost its nutritional value, reduce its natural compound that may hinder the absorption of nutrients, boots its digestibility and enriches its unique flavor in order to boost the smell and taste of food.

The seed is first cooked to remove the seed coat and then fermented to produce a nutritious spice or condiment called locust bean also known as Iru, Ogiri, Irugba and Dawadawa in some parts of Africa.

The fruit pulp, leaves and seed are used as livestock feed, the flower is also a good source of attractant for bee colony.

Some of the health benefits of Parkia biglobosal are as follows;

As a medicine for diarrhea: The fermented locust bean seed contain tannins (Tannic acid) which is often recommended for the treatment of diarrhea and also tannins is reported to exert a protective action against colon cancer. It is also used for treating stroke and hypertension.

Heals the wounds: Not only for internal medicine alone it is also used as an external medicine, various wound can be care by using the pond locust bean and paste them on the wound. The water and alcoholic extracts of fermented locust bean is used to reduce blood sugar.

Locust beans is a good anti-oxidant and detoxifier, it helps to get rid of free radicals from the body which may cause many major chronic diseases.

Locust bean is known as a very good immune booster; it helps to build    immune defense mechanism against infections and diseases. Parkia biglobosa also serve as one of the ingredients used in treating leprosy.

It has a soluble fiber in the galactomannan family which has shown benefits in weight loss. It improves cholesterol level and a natural appetite stimulant.

In veterinary medicine: The root of Parkial biglobosal is used to treat coccidiosis in poultry and also promotes good eyesight in human.

Thus, the African locust bean is a potentially good source of food which can compete favorably with most cereals and legumes. The chemical component indicates that it is a source of macro and micro- nutrients.

Eat healthy to live a healthy life because health is wealth.