Baobabs un de los árboles más magnificos del mundo
Vamos a tratar sobre los baobabs. Uno de los árboles más majestuosos que hay sobre este planeta. Adansonia es un género de la familia Malvaceae cuyos miembros son árboles conocidos popularmente como baobab, árbol botella o pan de mono. Contiene ocho especies, de las cuales seis crecen en la isla de Madagascar, y de las otras dos, la más conocida, Adansonia digitata, crece en África continental, y la menos conocida y más pequeña, Adansonia gibbosa, en Australia.

Baobabs un de los árboles más magnificos del mundo

El baobab africano es un árbol de tronco masivo, con forma de botella o irregular y lleno de nudos. Su altura puede oscilar entre los 5 a 30m y el diámetro del tronco superar los 11 m. La corteza es lisa y la madera fibrosa con poco contenido en agua. Las hojas sólo brotan en la época de las lluvias, en verano en el hemisferio norte y en invierno en el hemisferio sur. Las hojas del árbol adulto son compuestas, tienen de 5 a 11 foliolos que surgen del mismo peciolo en círculo y cuyos bordes son enteros en todas las especies salvo en la especie rubrostipa, que los tiene dentados. Los árboles jóvenes tienen las hojas simples y se van lobulando poco a poco. Las flores son hermafroditas, actinomorfas, de unos 10 cm, con pétalos blancos. Todas las especies dan frutos al final de la estación seca o principios de la húmeda. El fruto es una baya seca o una gruesa cápsula con forma de melón alargado. Las semillas son numerosas, grandes, con forma de riñón. Envolviendo las semillas hay una pulpa de color crema, cuya textura varía de terrosa a esponjosa según la especie y la edad del fruto. Las semillas viven más de cinco años.
Los baobabs adoptan la forma de botella durante la etapa de madurez, a partir de los doscientos años. En buenas condiciones, sobre suelo arenoso, con un clima templado y lluvias entre 300 y 500 mm pueden vivir hasta 800 o 1000 años, aunque se habla de ejemplares que han alcanzado los cuatro mil años.
Algunos baobabs se ahuecan en la madurez y se convierten en grandes depósitos en los que se pueden almacenar más de seis mil litros de agua.
Son longevos también, hay especimenes que tienen una edad aproximada de cuatro mil años. Tienen unas flores blancas con forma de mano, que son hermafroditas; y producen un fruto parecido a un melón pequeño
Es un árbol leñoso de madera blanda. Habita casi exclusivamente en áreas semiáridas al sur del desierto del Sahara, en África. Pero como pude vivir en alturas comprendidas entre el nivel del mar y los 1.250 metros de altura se los ha visto por otras partes del continente africano. Pueden verse muchos de ellos en el Parque nacional Kruger, en las montañas Lebombo.
Baobab Bar
Los inmensos baobabes son inspiradores de las más variadas historias. Existe un ejemplar tan inmenso que en su interior se aloja una estación de autobuses en la que pueden entrar 40 personas. Se dice sobre otro que a 500 km de Johanesburgo es utilizado como cantina, y que dentro de su tronco pueden llegar a juntarse 50 personas.
Las leyendas cuentan que si una persona bebe agua en la que se han mojado semillas de baobab, quedará protegido del ataque de los cocodrilos. Pero si osa arrancarle una flor al baobab, morirá devorado por un león.
Pero no todo es leyenda, ya que está probado que el baobab es un árbol muy útil, ya que su fruto es muy rico en fibra y un excelente alimento. Es consumido como pasta y utilizado para elaborar una bebida refrescante. Con las hojas se hace sopa, y con su corteza se fabrican cuerdas. Y uno de los atributos más impresionantes es que puede llegar a almacenar 120 mil litros de agua, algo terriblemente importante en las zonas desérticas en las que suele crecer.
Especies
* Adansonia digitata – El Baobab por excelencia. Crece en todas las zonas semiáridas del África continental, alcanza los 25 m de altura y diez metros de diámetro. La copa es redondeada y tiene uno o varios troncos secundarios. Las hojas tienen de 5 a 7 foliolos. El fruto es globoso u ovoide. En el Sahel hay cuatro tipos de esta especie, el de corteza negra, el de corteza roja, el de corteza gris y el de hojasoscuras (dark leaves). Este último tiene las hojas más apreciadas como verdura, el gris es mejor por la fibra y los otros por los frutos.
* Adansonia grandidieri. Propio de Madagascar, es la especie más alta (25 m) y esbelta que las demás; acilindrado y liso. También es el árbol que tiene más usos y se ha explotado más. La corteza, de un tono gris rojizo, y que en el árbol adulto tiene de 10 a 15 cm de grosor, es tan fibrosa que no queda ningún árbol del que no se haya extraído a una altura de dos metros para hacer tejidos, ya que se regenera fácilmente. El fruto es globoso, dos veces más largo que ancho. La pulpa del fruto se come fresca y de la semilla se extrae un aceite para cocinar. En algunas zonas se alimenta a las cabras con estos frutos; las cabras digieren la pulpa y expulsan la semilla entera. La madera, esponjosa, es rica en agua y tiene anillos concéntricos que muestran los años de crecimiento.
Según las leyendas, los árboles solitarios de esta especie albergan espíritus y no es raro encontrar ofrendas a los pies de los ejemplares más grandes.
* Adansonia gregorii (sin. A. gibbosa). Endemismo de Australia. Crece en afloramientos rocosos, lechos de ríos y llanuras inundables del noroeste de Australia. Raramente supera los diez metros de altura y la copa es irregular. Echa las hojas entre noviembre y marzo. Los australianos lo llaman árbol de la rata muerta o árbol botella.
* Adansonia madagascariensis. Pueden medir de 5 a 12 m y ser de formas muy distintas. Crece en el nordeste de Madagascar y puede incluso adentrarse unos metros en el mar. El fruto es más ancho que largo. Florece en febrero y echa las hojas en noviembre. Si se planta en semillero, sus raíces hinchadas son una verdura excelente.
* Adansonia perrieri. Crece también en el norte de Madagascar. Quedan pocos ejemplares de esta especie en peligro de extinción. No supera los 15 metros de altura y puesto que está en el hemisferio sur echa hojas entre noviembre y abril, como el resto de baobabs de Madagascar.
* Adansonia rubrostipa (sin. A. fony). Crece en el oeste y al sur de Madagascar, en terrenos arenosos o arcillosos. Es el más pequeño de los baobabs de Madagascar, de 4 a 5 m, aunque pueden encontrarse ejemplares de hasta 20 metros de altura. Son gruesos y se estrechan antes de las ramas, dándoles una forma de botella muy especial. La corteza es marrón rojiza. Las hojas son serradas. Es una importante fuente de alimentación para los lemures.
* Adansonia suaresensis. Crece en el norte de Madagascar. También en gran peligro. Es una especie alta, mide hasta 25 m y tiene un tronco esbelto, con un tronco de 2 metros de diámetro. El ramaje es amplio, las hojas tienen de 6 a 11 foliolos verde amarillentos y elípticos. El fruto es dos veces más ancho que largo. Sus semillas son las más grandes de la familia.
* Adansonia za. Crece desde el extremo sur hasta el noroeste de Madagascar. El tronco es cilíndrico y muchas veces irregular. Las semillas son comestibles y el tronco se usa a menudo como depósito de tierra.

El sito del Baobab

Tags: árbol Baobab

BAOBAB
Adansonia digitata
Field Manual for Extension Workers and Farmers

Copies of this handbook can be obtained by writing to the address below:
Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops or School of Civil Engineering and the Environment University of Southampton
Southampton
SO17 1 BJ
UK
International Centre for Underutilised Crops c/o International Water Management Institute 127 Sunil Mawatha
Pelawatte, Battaramulle
Sri Lanka
ISBN 0854328173
© Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, ICUC, 2006 Printed at RPM Print and Design, Chichester, England
Citation: SCUC (2006), Baobab Manual, Field Manual for Extension Workers and Farmers, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
THE FRUITS FOR THE FUTURE PROJECT

CONTENTS
PART I
CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
PREFACE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. vi

• INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………. 1
• WHY GROW BAOBAB TREES?…………………………………………………………………….. 2

2.1 Nutritional value………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
2.2 Socio-economic value……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
2.3 Medicinal………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
2.4 Timber…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
2.5 Cultural ………………………………………………………………………………………….  3
2.6 Environmental impact………………………………………………………………………….. 3

• WHERE TO GROW BAOBAB TREES……………………………………………………………….. 4

3.1 Climatic requirements for cultivation…………………………………………………………………………………… 4
3.2 Site requirements………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
3.3 Land use systems………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

• WHAT TO GROW…………………………………………………………………………………… 5

4.1 Morphological variability in baobab……………………………………………………………………………………… 5
4.2 Propagule type…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
4.2.1 Seed propagation………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
4.2.2 Vegetative propagation……………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

• HOW TO GROW BAOBAB TREES………………………………………………………………….. 7

5.1 Selection of planting materials………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
5.2 Nursery establishment…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
5.2.1 The nursery site……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
5.2.2 Nursery containers and potting mixture …………………………………………………  8
5.3 Seed propagation………………………………………………………………………………. 8
5.3.1 Seed collection and handling…………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
5.3.2 Seed pre-treatment……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
5.4 Vegetative propagation……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
5.4.1 Stem cuttings……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
5.4.2 Grafting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
5.5 Field establishment……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
5.5.1 Land preparation …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
5.5.2 Transplanting………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
5.5.3 Pit planting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
5.5.4 Time of planting…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
5.6 Field management……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
5.6.1 Weeding……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
5.6.2 Irrigation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
5.6.3 Fertilisers…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
5.6.4 Pruning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
5.6.5 Intercropping………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
5.6.6 Windbreaks………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
5.6.7 Protection from pests and diseases……………………………………………………………………………. 15

• HARVESTING……………………………………………………………………………………… 16

6.1 Harvesting time…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
6.1.1 Leaves………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
6.1.2 Fruits ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
6.1.3 Bark…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
6.2 Fruit ripeness and yield ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
6.3 Harvesting techniques…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
6.3.1 Leaves………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
6.3.2 Fruits………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
6.3.3 Bark…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17

• PROCESSING AND STORAGE…………………………………………………………………….. 17

7.1 Processing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
iv
7.1.1 Leaves……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
7.1.2 Fruit pulp………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
7.1.3 Seeds………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
7.1.4 Bark………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
7.2 Storage………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
7.2.1 Leaves………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
7.2.2 Fruit pulp………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
7.2.3 Seeds……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
7.3 Marketing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
7.3.1 Local marketing………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
7.3.2 International marketing…………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
APPENDIX 1. MULTIPLE USES OF BAOBAB……………………………………………………………………………….. 23
APPENDIX 2. PESTS, DISEASES AND FUNGI OF BAOBAB……………………………………………………………… 24
APPENDIX 3. HEALTH AND SAFETY WHEN USING CHEMICALS………………………………………………………. 26
GLOSSARY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27
TABLES
Table 1. Climatic requirements for cultivation of baobab trees…………………………………………………………. 4
Table 2. Morphological variability in baobab………………………………………………………………………………… 5
PART II
Technical Note 1             Why Grow Baobab Trees?
Technical Note 2a          Where to Grow Baobab Trees
Technical Note 2b What to Grow
Technical Note 3a        How to grow the Baobab Tree – Growing Seedlings and Young Trees
Technical Note 3b         How to grow the Baobab Tree – Propagation by Seed
Technical Note 4a         How to grow the Baobab Tree – Vegetative Propagation
Technical Note 5a         How to grow the Baobab Tree – Field Establishment
Technical Note 5b          How to grow the Baobab Tree – Field Management
Technical Note 6a              Harvesting
Technical Note 6b       Post-harvest Handling and Storage
Technical Note 7a        Processing
Technical Note 7b       Marketing and Economics

PREFACE
Fruits for the Future is a programme implemented by the International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) and its partner organisations, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). This project provides information enabling further research on underutilised fruit trees, and also provides information on practical techniques that can be used by farmers and rural communities to increase their product output and ultimately the income from their land.
Demand for the production of scientific and extension materials on baobab has been provided by local, national and regional stakeholders, and has been documented through meetings in the region.
The information contained within this manual is for use in the field, and can be used by forestry and agricultural extension staff working with farmers in West Africa. The manual provides practical advice on propagation techniques, selection of high quality materials, and the management of baobab (Adansonia digitata) trees. Information is also provided on processing and marketing; however, the products and market strategies may vary from farmer to farmer and from country to country. This manual has been published in English. Any part of this manual can be freely copied or translated into other languages, in order to aid effective extension work. Should translation be necessary, please inform the publishers.
We would like to thank Dr Modibo Sidibe for the preparation of the information contained within this manual; Mr Oumar Mangara, Mr Aboubacar, M Sidibé and Ms Lucy Jackson for preparing the illustrations; and the staff of the Rural Economy Institute (IER), Mali. Mr David Jackson took responsibility for restructuring the manual into an agreed user-friendly format. Thanks also to Ms Barbara Richie of CABI for reviewing the pests and diseases of baobab.
The opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors alone and do not imply any acceptance or obligation whatsoever on the part of ICUC, IPGRI or World Agroforestry Centre.
Editors
2005

1. INTRODUCTION
Adansonia digitata L. belongs to the Bombaceae family and is known generally as the African baobab.

• Description: the African baobab is a deciduous, tropical fruit tree with a massive trunk supporting a tangled mass of small branches. It ranges in height up to 25 metres and the trunk may be up to 6–10 metres in diameter. The leaves are palmate with five sessile leaflets. The bark is smooth, silver-grey, pinkish-purple or dark grey in colour, and contains a yellow or green inner layer, which is composed of thick, tough, longitudinal fibres. It is a very long-lived, fast-growing tree (in its juvenile stage) and has a life span of hundreds of years.
• Flowering: the flowers are large, up to 12–15 cm in diameter. They are whitish with a large number of fused purple stamens through which the style protrudes. Flowering normally takes place between October and December in southern Africa, with fruiting from April to May. In West Africa, flowering is usually between May and June. The fruits are large (up to 24 x 12 cm) and oblong in shape, hanging from long stalks. They are greenish-grey when young and brownish when mature.
• Distribution: the African baobab occurs naturally in most of the countries south of the Sahara. It is generally associated with the savannah, especially drier parts. However, there are extensions of its distribution into forest areas, associated with human habitation. It appears that the current distribution is primarily determined by a minimum of 300 mm of annual rainfall. There are a further seven species of Adansonia, six of which occur naturally in Madagascar and one in northern Australia. It is generally accepted that the origin of the African baobab is tropical Africa, but it may have been introduced from one of the other regions.
• Habitat: baobab now grows widely in tropical climates that are characterised by a dry winter and a hot, wet summer.
• Human introduction: baobab has been introduced to countries outside of Africa, including northern Australia; many Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines; the Middle East; and the West Indies.

Environmental characteristics: the tree is easy and cheap to cultivate, and usually free from any serious pests and diseases. It is normally left to grow until it dies naturally, because of traditional beliefs that dissuade felling. The tree provides shade to the soil beneath the canopy. Deciduous leaf drop acts as a soil conditioner by providing a humus-rich top layer, improving water retention. Holes in the trunk provide ideal nesting sites for birds, such as rollers, hornbills, parrots and kestrels. Eagles, vultures and storks frequently build their nests in the outer branches. Holes in trunks of baobabs near to villages are used for water storage

2. WHY GROW BAOBAB TREES?
,jr See Technical Note 1 in Part II.
The baobab is a multipurpose tree. It is a source of food, timber, firewood, medicinal extracts, fibres and other components. It can also provide a potential economic return to rural people. The different uses of the baobab are summarised in Appendix 1 and described below.
2.1 Nutritional value
In Africa, baobab plays an important role in human nutrition.

• Dried leaves

o Rich in ß carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, important in the fight against cancer and heart disease.
o Vitamin A is necessary for good eyesight. Insufficient levels in the diet can lead to blindness.
o An excellent source of several trace elements, which can combat micronutrient deficiency.

• Young tender leaves

o Rich in vitamin A and calcium.
o Used as a vegetable and in sauce preparation.

• Fruit pulp

o Exceptionally high vitamin C content.
o Vitamin C is necessary for healthy teeth and gums, bones, skin and muscle. o Can fight infections and heal wounds.

• Fruit powder

o 23 g of baobab fruit powder provide the daily recommended amount of vitamin C for an average adult.
o Contains vitamins and other valuable nutrients, essential for normal human growth.

• Seed kernels

o Contain edible oils and more protein than groundnuts.
o Rich in the amino acid lysine, vitamin B1 (thiamine), calcium and iron.
2.2 Socio-economic value

• Baobab trees have potential for providing additional income to farmers. Fresh and especially dried leaves provide revenue to rural women and gardeners in the dry season when other field crop production is low.
• The processing and sale of baobab products, especially in urban areas, offer a secondary
  means of income. Baobab provides an income especially in times of drought and famine.
• Market prices vary widely according to the country of production and the season. In Senegal prices for baobab products have almost doubled to FCFC 60 – 80, (Euro 0.09 – 0.12 per kilo of fruit (Spore No 116 April 2005)
• Typical prices for products in the sahelian region are:

o Fresh leaves, sold during the rainy season: US$ 0.06–0.18 per kg.
o Dried leaves, sold in the local market: US$ 0.09–0.18 per kg, and for export: US$ 2.73 per kg.
o Powder from dried leaves sold in the local markets of Mali: US$ 0.23–0.27 per kg.
o Whole fruits, sold locally: US$ 0.18–0.46 per kg, but sold for export: US$ 6.4 per kg. o Powder from fruits sold in the local markets: US$ 0.73–0.91 per kg.
The baobab Fruit Company in Verona, Italy was established in 2001 to purchase and process
2
baobab fruit pulp from Senegal. The company imported 70 tons of raw material in 2003 and 140 tons in 2004. This is equivalent to 44 tons of fruit pulp with a value of Euro 83,000. (Gruenwald, J. and Galizia, M. 2005 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, BioTrade Initiative / BioTrade Facilitation Programme).

2.3 Medicinal
Baobab is used in traditional medicine throughout Africa and also in India.
All parts of the tree are reputed to have medicinal properties and have been used to treat various ailments.

• Leaves: Used to overcome fever, diarrhoea and urinary tract diseases.
• Fruit pulp
• Used in the treatment of measles and smallpox.
• Oil and pulp products have been produced and marketed internationally as ‘Natural African’ remedies.
• Bark
• A decoction is used to treat toothache.
• Used for fever and dysentery.
• Seeds (crushed): Applied to diseased teeth as a paste, to treat swollen gums.

2.4 Timber

• The wood of the baobab does not have value as timber.
• It is light and spongy, unsuitable for fuel, and easily attacked by fungus.
• However, it is used to make canoes and fishing floats.
• Wood pulp is suitable for processing into writing paper, for local use.

2.5 Cultural
This extraordinary tree is surrounded by myths and legends. Many virtues have been attributed to the baobab tree.

• Its presence is believed to be a good omen.
• Some ethnic groups in several West African countries think the baobab tree can guarantee the everlasting continuation of descendants.
• It acts as a ceremonial focus for hunters and others.

2.6 Environmental impact
Baobab trees have a positive environmental impact.

• They can reduce soil erosion. (Agribusiness – Corporate Farming in Senegal, New International List 108 February 1992. www.newint.org/issue108/nipped.htm)
• The canopy provides cover.
• The ability to withstand extreme stress from drought allows the tree to be grown on degraded or marginal lands where other species would not survive.

The large white baobab flowers, which open at night, are pollinated by bats and other small
mammals. The protection of these pollinators is important for the production of fruits.

3. WHERE TO GROW BAOBAB TREES
,jr See Technical Note 2 in Part II.
3.1 Climatic requirements for cultivation

• The tree generally bears its leaves for 7–10 months of the year; the remaining time is the vegetative rest period.
• This rest period is often shorter in previously forested areas and some irrigated lands.
• The tree has an outstanding ability to withstand severe drought and fire.

Table 1. Climatic requirements for cultivation of baobab trees

3.2 Site requirements
For success in propagating baobab trees and to produce fruits, leaves, bark and other products, the farmer must attend to the following requirements:

• Land: the quality and size of the land available for tree planting will influence the economic returns from the tree(s).
• Water: although baobab is a hardy tree and can withstand high levels of drought, the tree will produce higher returns from intensive leaf production if irrigated regularly.
• Planting materials: seeds, scions or seedlings.
• Nursery: if the farmer wishes to grow baobab from seed, or to propagate his own trees through vegetative means, he will need a nursery (see Technical Note 3) and the equipment necessary for establishment.
• Protection (fence): baobab needs to be protected against animals, especially during its juvenile state.

3.3 Land use systems

• Baobab trees can be grown in home gardens, orchards and grasslands, or on field boundaries.

Baobab is suitable for marginal land with poor soils where other crops do not grow well.

4. WHAT TO GROW
4.1 Morphological variability in baobab
There are no commercial varieties of baobab; however great morphological variability can be seen. One method of characterisation is to classify the trees by colour of the bark and the leaf characteristics. For example in Mali, the following morphotypes are identified.
Table 2. Morphological variability in baobab in Mali

• The three morphotypes in the table above are grown in similar areas and have been selected based on their characteristics and the needs of the local people.
• Baobab is known by the following local names in the main sahelian languages: gouye (wolof), sito (mandingue), kiidé (sarakole), sira (bambara) and toayga (moré).
• Baobab also grows extensively in east and southern Africa savannah areas and make up part of the miombo woodlands.

4.2 Propagule type
There are two methods presently available for propagating baobab trees: seed propagation and vegetative propagation.
4.2.1 Seed propagation
This involves collecting seed, its preparation and direct planting into soil/compost.
The advantages of this method are:

• It is simple and easy to reproduce the tree.
• The trees are generally deep rooted, providing firm anchorage, able to absorb water and nutrients from a wide area for greater resistance to drought.

The disadvantages of this method are:

• The quality of the new offspring cannot be guaranteed (not true to type).
• The time taken for the tree to reach fruit-bearing age is usually longer than for trees propagated vegetatively.
• The trees tend to grow taller than those propagated by vegetative methods, which may affect tree management and harvesting.

4.2.2 Vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation involves the growth of the new tree from a shoot, bud or cutting from a ‘good quality’ mature tree.
The advantages of this method are:

• The quality of the new tree is assured.
• The time taken for the tree to reach bearing age is usually less than for seed-propagated trees.
• The trees remain relatively short in stature, aiding management and harvesting.

The disadvantage of this method is:

• The trees are often relatively shallow-rooted.

The best time to begin propagation depends on:

• The local climate.
• Water availability.
• Method of propagation.
• Seed propagation is limited by the fruiting time of the mature, healthy trees from which seed is to be collected.
• Vegetative propagation should be carried out in the wet season, at the end of the dormant rest period, which lasts 2–5 months.
• This method may also be dependent on the availability of suitable seeds for rootstocks.
• Regardless of which propagation method is used, it is good practice to select a good quality tree from which to collect either seeds or bud wood material.

5. HOW TO GROW BAOBAB TREES
,jr See Technical Note 2 in Part II.

5.1 Selection of planting materials

• Planting materials (both seeds and cuttings) should be selected from a high quality, full­bearing tree.
• The tree should have a good crown and strong trunk.
• It should be disease-free with no signs of pest attack.
• It should be known to provide a good harvest of leaves or fruits (depending on the required harvest product).

Once a quality tree has been selected, it is necessary to prepare a nursery area for propagation. A nursery will:

• Provide protection to the plants when very small.
• Offer a greater chance of successful establishment later.

5.2 Nursery establishment 5.2.1 The nursery
A plant nursery is an area where young plants are raised from seed or vegetatively propagated material, and then grown on.

• The size of a nursery is dependent on the number of trees required.
• It is unlikely that seeds will have 100% viability (in baobab most healthy seeds give 70–85% germination).
• Therefore it is usual to plant 30% more seed to allow for failure to germinate.
• Similarly, for vegetatively propagated trees, it is better to prepare a slightly larger area than for the exact number of trees required.

Considerations to be taken into account when selecting a site for the nursery are that the land should ideally:

• Be level, with good drainage.
• Be close to a good water supply.
• Be in a relatively sheltered area, with protection from strong winds.
• Be safe from potential flooding.
• Have no previous history of pest outbreaks.
• Be protected from stray or domestic animals.

The nursery may be placed under the partial shade of trees, or an overhead low-cost shade structure can be built to reduce sunlight intensity, and to prevent leaf scorch and rapid moisture loss.
When building an overhead shade:

• Care must be taken to ensure t the height of the structure is sufficient to allow easy access.
• If palm leaves or grasses are used, avoid using older materials as they can harbour fungi, such as mildew, which can be transmitted to the young plants below.
• The shade should allow about 30% sunlight to reach the top of the young plants and 60% to reach the sides.

Prior to building the nursery structure:

• Clear the ground of all weeds and pests.
• A plastic ground cover can be used to prevent weed re-growth.
• Lightly hoe the ground and top dress with clean sand and gravel or small stones.

5.2.2 Nursery containers and potting mixture
,jr See Technical Note 3 in Part II.
Potting mixture:

• The best medium for seed germination is standard nursery potting mixture containing three
  parts of topsoil, one part of sand and one part of compost, as this allows good drainage.
• Collect top soil from beneath trees or old ant hills and pass it through a sieve before mixing it.
• River sand can be used; however, if sand is obtained from beach sources it can be left out in the wet season on a well drained area to leach out the salt.
• Seeds may be germinated in nursery beds, pots or polythene bags.

Planting pots:

• Pots can be purchased or home-made from any available material, such as bags, clay, tin cans (punctured) or natural vegetation, e.g. banana leaves or woven baskets.
• Polythene bags, however, are highly suitable as they are less costly and less bulky than tin cans or clay pots.
• They should measure approximately 13–15 cm in diameter and 20–25 cm in depth, and be perforated to provide drainage.
• The bags/pots should be filled almost to the brim with potting mixture.
• When watering the seedlings, ensure that the upper rim of the plastic bag is not folded towards the stem, preventing water entering the soil.

5.3 Seed propagation
5.3.1 Seed collection and handling
Collection:

• The most suitable method of collecting seeds is to harvest fruits from high quality trees.
• Avoid collecting dropped fruits from the ground, because immature fruits may have fallen, and the fruits may also have remained on the ground for some time, leading to a loss in viability of the seeds or to infection from various pathogens.
• Other fruit sources include orchards and fruit stores.
• Fruits should appear healthy, showing no damage or disease.

Handling:

• Open the fruit pods to extract the pulp and seeds from the shell.
• Wash, air-dry and store the seeds in clean, dry, sealed and labelled containers in a cool dry place, to protect them from moisture, insects, fungal infection and attack by rodents.
• Avoid drying in full sunlight.
• Seeds should be examined for abnormalities.
• Light seeds that float on water generally germinate poorly and produce low quality or abnormal seedlings.
• Seeds can remain viable in storage for a number of years, provided they are kept cool and dry. Note that without sophisticated storage equipment and packaging, the longer the seeds are stored, the fewer are likely to germinate.

5.3.2 Seed pre-treatment
Baobab does not regenerate well in natural conditions. The seeds are known to remain dormant in the soil for several months before germination. Pre-treatment of the seeds is necessary in order to obtain fast and even germination. This involves breaking down the seed coat prior to sowing to enhance the entry of water and oxygen into the seed.
This can be done in a number of ways:

• Cutting (scarifying) the seed coat. This produces up to 60% germination. It is recommended for use with small seed lots.
• Cutting the seed coat and then soaking in cold water for 72 hours increases germination to 85–90%.
• Boiling the seeds in water for 5 to 7 minutes will also increase germination.

5.3.3 Sowing and germination
Seedlings can be raised directly in the field; however, they develop to be much stronger plants when germinated and cared for in the nursery.
Nursery sowing
Sowing:

• Plant one or two seeds in each pot to a depth of 1–2 cm.
• If planting in a nursery bed, the seeds should be 10–12 cm apart and then transplanted into pots at the 2 leaf stage.
• Keep the newly sown seeds in the shade for the first few days to protect them from dehydration by the sun.

Germination:

• Germination should begin 4–6 days after sowing and be complete within 18 days.
• Once germination is completed (the first two leaves have opened), increase light to the seedlings gradually over 4–7 days.
• After this period, the seedlings can be exposed to full light.

Aftercare:

• Water seedlings twice a day (morning and evening) during germination and the establishment period, which can last from 15 days to 3 weeks.
• To prevent the seedlings’ roots growing through the bags, move the seedlings within the nursery 3 weeks after sowing, and then every 15 days until the plants are ready for transplanting.
• The seedlings are ready to be transplanted into the field after 3 months, or when they are 40–50 cm in height, or have 2–3 pairs of leaves.

Field sowing

• Make small holes in the soil and place 2 seeds at a depth of about 2 cm (the strongest seedling can be chosen later on).
• Sow seeds at a spacing of 5 x 5 m.
• The strongest seedlings can be selected 5–15 days after emergence (seed requirement is in general 800 to 1000 seeds or approx. 0.5 kg per hectare).
• Final spacing should be about 13 x 13 m if the space is available or if an orchard is planned.
• For intensive production of leaves in mixed cropping systems, usually in association with vegetables, the spacing of the trees should be 0.5 m x 0.2 m.

5.4 Vegetative propagation
,jr See Technical Note 4 in Part II.

• Vegetative propagation can be done throughout the year, but is less successful in the hot season.
• Baobab is usually propagated by stem cuttings or veneer grafting.
• Other methods, such as bud grafting and air layering can also be used.
• With all methods, it is important to choose shoots and branches that are free from pests, diseases and damage.

5.4.1 Stem cuttings
The easiest and cheapest vegetative method of propagating baobab is by stem cuttings; however, the success rate can be low.

• Collect all cuttings in the morning.
• On removal from the tree, wrap cuttings in moist cloth to prevent drying.
• Take cuttings from terminal branches, where possible, as success rate is higher than from other parts of the tree.
• Cuttings should be 5–10 cm in length.
• Remove all but the 2 most terminal leaves from the cutting. Trim the nodes from which leaves were removed with a smooth, clean, downwards cut.
• Cut the two remaining leaves in half to reduce the surface area available for transpiration and loss of water.
• Make a clean, fresh cut across the base of the cutting at a 45-degree angle.
• Dip the end of the cuttings evenly into rooting hormone (see below).
• Push cuttings straight into the soil to a depth of about 2.5 cm.
• Pinch out the shoot tip to encourage quicker root development rather than growth of shoots.

It is highly desirable to use rooting hormone, such as IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), diluted in alcohol at 10%, 25% or 50% (depending on availability – 50% gives the best results), for a rooting success of 20%, with 15% survival after transplanting. The rooting success of cuttings without hormones is less than 2%.
Soil bed:

• A soil bed prepared prior to propagation will provide shade and protection for the cuttings.
• The soil bed should have upright poles and a roof, which can be made from grasses or palm fronds (see Nursery Establishment).
• Care must be taken to keep animals away from the rooting area.
• Water the cuttings regularly, but not excessively.
• Once established, they can be transplanted into the field.

5.4.2 Grafting
See Technical Note 4 in Part II.
The purpose:

• To join high quality, desirable plant material (the scion) to a rootstock.
• Grafting allows the selection of a root system that is:

o Adapted to a specific climate and soil.
o Shows resistance to local pests and diseases.

• To combine the rootstock with a high quality scion.

Equipment required for grafting:

• A clean, sharp knife.
• Plastic bags.
• Plastic tape (1.5–2 cm wide and 30–40 cm long). This can be cut from ordinary plastic bags if grafting tape is not available.

Veneer grafting is the most appropriate method for propagating baobab. Scion collection and preparation
The scions should be:

• Mature
• 5–15 cm long
• 1 cm in diameter (slightly larger than a pencil)
• 6–9 months old
• With 1 or more buds

To reduce the juvenile period in grafted plants:

• Collect scions (cut with secateurs) from trees that are bearing fruit.
• Remove the leaves with a sharp knife.
• To transport, wrap scions in a moist cloth or newspaper and place in a plastic bag to keep them fresh.
• Scions can be kept for up to 8 days with approximately 46% success.
• The best rate of success (92%) is obtained with 1 to 2 day old scions.

Veneer (inlay) grafting
The rootstock:

• A rootstock is raised from seed.
• It is ready for grafting at about 3 months or when approximately 1 cm in diameter.
• Clear the stem of the rootstock of any soil or debris.
• Make a long, shallow cut in the rootstock at the point of active growth or where the bark separates easily from the wood, slanting inward to about a quarter of the total diameter of the stem.
• Make a short, second downward cut at the base of the first, removing a piece of bark and wood, and retaining 2 or more leaves below the grafting cut.

The scion:

• Select a scion with a similar diameter to the rootstock.
• Make a long, shallow cut at the base of the scion, to match that on the rootstock, with a short, slanting cut on the opposite side.
• When cutting the scion and the rootstock, use one stroke of the knife. This provides a smooth exposed surface, which aids the grafting union.
• The scion should fit tightly into the notch on the rootstock.
• It is important that once the cuts have been made, the surfaces are tightly matched together and quickly bound with tape.
• Tie the graft with the plastic tape, ensuring that the wound is entirely covered.
• Cut away the top of the scion to encourage the union, and cover and seal it with a plastic bag to prevent transpiration and loss of moisture.

• Remove the plastic bag after 2–3 weeks.

• Drying out of the exposed surfaces of the scion, rootstock or both may result in failure of the union.
• Once the union has healed and fresh growth occurs on the newly attached portion, the graft is successful. This should take approximately 2–3 months. The tape can now be removed to allow further growth of the grafted plant.

5.5 Field establishment
,jr See Technical Note 5 in Part II.
Mature baobab trees are well adapted to full sun and open areas.
When planting out they should not be placed:

• In boggy areas. The land should be freely draining.
• In heavy shade.
• Near refuse areas.
• Near animal enclosures where they are likely to get damaged.
• In highly saline soil or in areas of contamination with heavy metals, e.g. petrol spills.
• In areas subject to flooding.

Baobab can be planted along roadsides , around homesteads or home gardens, on agricultural land, in orchards, on high-density leaf production plots, or as scattered trees in open grasslands.
5.5.1 Land preparation
Land preparation:

• Carry out in the summer or at the onset of the rainy season to preserve the soil structure.
• Clear the area of scrub and big stones.
• Plough or lightly turn the soil 3–4 weeks prior to transplanting , then again after 15 days, and then again just before planting the seedlings.
• This practice controls the weeds, breaks up hard soil, and allows aeration especially when close planting for use as a vegetable or leaf production.

5.5.2 Transplanting
When transplanting seedlings or grafted trees, pay attention to the following concerns:

• Plant baobab seedlings from the nursery (seed or vegetatively propagated) in the field at 3 months of age or when 40 cm or more in height.
• When transferring the seedlings, take care not to damage the taproot if it has grown through the bottom of the plastic container into the nursery bed. (Note: Moving the seedlings regularly within the nursery will prevent the roots from growing into the nursery bed.)
• Cut away the bottom of the plastic container, taking care not to damage the roots, and make a slit in the side to allow expansion of the seedling roots. (Note: Dispose of old plastic bags and pots with care to avoid pollution with non-biodegradable materials.)
• Support field planted seedlings with sticks; within a year they can support themselves.
• In addition to transplanting young saplings, older trees can be transplanted from one place to another, if handled with care, in order to satisfy the need of the local communities. Spacing:
• Plants produced for use as a vegetable should be spaced at 0.5 x 0.2 m.

• Those grown for their leaves and fruit should be spaced at 4 x 4 m or 5 x 5 m in home gardens.

• In a small orchard, 13 x 13 m is recommended.

Aftercare:

• Shade young seedlings from strong sunlight.
• Protect against wind and predators (mice and others).

Use wire netting with a small mesh (1 cm) for vertical protection.

• Rats can be controlled by using traps or poisonous bait.
• If a number of trees are to be planted in an area of grassland grazed by animals, it will be necessary to consider fencing structures.

5.5.3 Pit planting
Pit planting is one of the commonest methods for planting fruit trees. It is time consuming, especially in rocky soils, but tree establishment has a good rate of success.

• Dig the pit 50 cm deep and 50 cm wide and loosen the soil on the pit walls and base. This will help the roots to grow and develop later.
• The tree should be positioned straight in the centre of the pit, with the root collar, the thickened part of the stem, between the roots and shoot, at ground level.
• Remove the plastic container.
• Fill the pit and the roots to ground level with the removed soil mixed with 10 kg compost or farm yard manure (all stones should be taken out before replacing around the tree).
• If there is insufficient soil after digging the pit, use topsoil to fill the pit.
• It is important to flatten the soil around the base of the tree up to ground level.
• Construct a small basin around the tree and apply 5-10 litres water.
• If frequency between rainfall events is low, then apply 4-5 litres water twice a week and especially during the first dry season.

5.5.4 Time of planting

• The best time for field planting or transplanting seedlings is at the beginning of the rainy season, particularly in seasonally dry regions.
• If water is constantly available, planting may be done throughout the year.
• The best time of day is late afternoon to early evening.

5.6 Field management
,jr See Technical Note 5 in Part II.
5.6.1 Weeding
Weeds compete with young trees for nutrients and water.

• Remove weeds from around the tree during the early stages of growth. This is known as ring weeding and is recommended for small orchards or individual trees wherever planted.

5.6.2 Irrigation
The amount of water required varies with the size of the tree and is dependent on local climate.

• In general, apply about 1–2 litres of water twice a week to the base of each young tree, preferably in late afternoon or early evening.
• Mature baobab trees require no irrigation.

• However, trees with regular irrigation have better growth and their period of vegetative rest is shorter.
5.6.3 Fertilisers
Organic and mineral fertilisers help to restore plant nutrients that are used by the tree for growth of twigs, leaves and branches, and fruit. Indicators for use of fertilisers include, poor growth, (may also be due to shortage of rain) yellowing leaves and light sandy soils which may be short of nutrients.
Mineral fertilisers can be costly or not locally available, and it is recommended to use farm yard manure, compost or green legume manures, especially at time of planting and for intensive leaf production. Mineral fertilisers may only be cost effective for intensive leaf production.
However if available, the following is recommended for planting new trees and intensive leaf production.

• Each field-planted tree should be top-dressed with 20 kg of manure before planting, and later a top dressing of 10–15 kg applied by spreading at the beginning of each wet season for the first five years.
• Home gardens with intensive leaf production in the dry season require 5 wheelbarrows-full (500 kg) of manure per 8 m2, in a large orchard.
• Mineral fertilisers can be used, such as rock phosphate at 150 g PNT1 / tree as a top dressing on saplings, or urea in low applications: 33 g / tree at the beginning of the rainy season, and 100 g / tree at the end of the rainy season.

Mature baobab trees grow and produce good crops without fertiliser, due to their extensive root system.
5.6.4 Pruning
Baobab requires little management.

• Regular pruning by shortening branches at the end of the rainy season allows better access to the leaves for harvesting and prevents the development of fruits in order to improve the food quality of leaves.
• Mature trees require very little pruning, except for removal of weak, dead and diseased branches to prevent the spread of disease and infection.

5.6.5 Intercropping
Intercropping can be practised with baobab trees.

• Suitable intercrops include pearl millet, other cereals groundnuts and vegetable crops.
• This practice can help control weeds and improve soil aeration.
• It provides an income or food before the baobabs start producing.
• If the baobab trees are grown primarily for leaf harvesting, pollard the trees to facilitate re­sprouting. Maintaining the trees in this way reduces competition with the intercrop.
• There can be competition for water and nutrients between the intercrop and the baobab tree. This can be alleviated by not planting the intercrop too closely to the baobab or if available, by increasing the amount of fertiliser and water given to the intercrop.

5.6.6 Windbreaks
1 PNT is the natural phosphate extracted in Tilemsi (Mali).
Baobab trees can be used as a windbreak, and they also aid in soil conservation through protection from water erosion.
A suitable spacing of windbreak trees is 3–4 m between trees. 5.6.7 Protection from pests and diseases
Baobab does not have any serious pests or diseases. Fungal and viral diseases have been recorded on baobab, and several insects are known to attack the wood, fruit and young shoots. These include:

• The cotton bollworms Helicoverpa (syn. Heliothis) armigera, Diparopsis castanea and Earias biplaga.
• Cotton-stainer bugs such as Dysdercus fasciatus, D. intermeius, D. nigrofasciatus, D. superstitiosus, Odontopus exsanguinis, O. sexpunctatus.
• Oxycarenus albipennis as well as flea beetles, Padagrica spp.

See Appendix 2 for damage incurred and measures to control pests and diseases.
Control:

• Decis can be used to control insects that perforate leaves.
• Its use is dependent on the availability of the chemical.
• A decoction of the kernel of Azadirachta indica (neem) can also be used for insect control of baobab.

See Appendix 3 for information on chemicals, environmental impact and precautions for use.
Other minor disorders:

• 1. Climate requirements
  1. Site requirements
  1. Land-use systems
  1. Seed treatment
  1. Potting mixture
  1. Advantages of vegetative propagation
  1. Stem cuttings
  1. Success rate – usually not high le’ Rooting success about 20%. (Only about 2% without rooting hormone.)
  1. Grafting equipment
  1. Scion collection and preparation
  1. Plant spacing
  1. Planting out
  1. Weeding Pollarded tree
  1. Use of fertilizers
  1. Intercropping
  1. Windbreaks
  1. Tools used for harvesting
  1. Leaves
  1. Whole fruits
  1. Fruit pulp
  1. Seeds
  1. Leaves
  1. Fruit pulp
  1. Seeds
  1. Bark
  • A condition known as sooty baobab occurs periodically in sub-Saharan Africa and is related to lengthy periods of below average rainfall. It can be aggravated by intensive land use in arid areas. The “sooty” appearance is caused by the growth of a sooty mould (possibly Antennulariella sp. – Capnodiales); this is purely secondary. Archive records show that affected trees have later recovered.
  • The fungus Ceratocystis causes rotting. Attack by this fungus is usually associated with
    invasion by bark beetles. The fungus can cause extensive rotting and will stain wood blue.
  • Wilt fungi, e.g. Fusarium solani and Graphium ambrizensis, can affect the tree, usually after it has been damaged.
  • Allow the tree to become well established for 6 months to 1 year before collecting leaves.
  • In home garden conditions where water and nutrition are satisfactory, young leaves can be collected within the first year of planting, and used as a green vegetable.
  • Leaves can be harvested all year round except during the vegetative rest period, which lasts 2 to 5 months, depending on the morphotype.
  • A tree propagated by grafting will come into bearing in 3–4 years.
  • A tree propagated by seed may take 10–23 years, but if well tended in an open area may bear fruit in about 9 years.
  • Management and local conditions also affect the time for trees to bear.
  • Fruits should not be harvested before they are fully ripe.
  • Mature fruits should have a brown shell, while immature pods have a green-yellow colour.
  • At maturity, the fruits are filled with a white, powdery pulp and the seeds become hard.
  • Tools used during the harvesting of leaves are the sickle and machete or dolé (a tool similar to a machete, used in Mali).
  • The machete or dolé is used when the petiole of the leaf (leaf stalk) is fresh and easy to cut.
  • The sickle is used towards the end of the harvesting season when the petiole is lignified.
  • Leaves are traditionally harvested by women in many parts of Africa for domestic uses.
  • Harvest fruit by hand picking, clipping with a hook mounted on a stick, or tools such as the machete.
  • A sheet can be placed beneath the tree to collect the fallen fruits.
  • When harvesting by hand it is necessary to climb the tree, which can be dangerous, and care should be taken to avoid accidents.
  • Bark is stripped from the outer surface of the lower trunk using an axe-like tool
  • If done properly, the bark can be harvested again in 2–5 years.
  • However, it takes 6–10 years for the bark to return to the pre-harvest condition and regenerate completely.
  • Enhancing the preservation of the produce.
  • Reducing the size of the products, which are easier to handle, transport and use. The marketing pathways for baobab are not yet firmly developed and the majority of the produce is currently sold only when available.
  • Remove the harvested leaves from woody branches and leaf stalks.
  • Cut into small pieces and sun dry for 2-5 days.
  • Dry the leaves in the shade as this reduces the loss of β carotene.
  • Grind the dried leaves and sieve to make powder for later use.
  • Leave the whole fruit to dry on the tree.
  • Harvest the dried fruits.
  • Crush the fruit shells and separate the seeds from the pulp.
  • Grind the pulp and sieve to produce a powder.
  • Keep the powder obtained in containers such as tins or jars.
  • Fruit powder mixed with seed powder of baobab and millet porridge is used as a weaning mixture for young children.
  • The shells can be used as small cups or bowls, or sold as various art objects.
  • Drinks can be prepared by adding fruit pulp powder to previously boiled water, left to cool.
  • Note that adding the fruit powder to boiling water will result in the loss of vitamin C.
  • Separate the seeds from the pulp.
  • Wash the seeds in water.
  • Dry in the sun.
  • Pound the seeds in a mortar.
  • Sieve to make powder.
  • Use in rice as a traditional food .
  • The seeds can also be pressed to extract the oil, useful in cooking and cosmetics. A simple oil press can improve both the quantity and the quality of the oil.
  • The oil can be extracted by pounding the seeds, but this method produces low quality oil.
  • Oil is not usually extracted locally, but is left to small and medium industries.
  • The remaining cake can be used for cattle feed.
  • Sun dry the bark.
  • Hammer the bark to extract fibres.
  • Soak the fibres so they become elastic for the twining process for the production of rope and other products.
  • Harvest, process and store leaves during periods of drought.
  • Cans, jars and plastic bags provide sufficient protection as long as they are sealed to prevent moisture entering the leaves or leaf powder.
  • Store container in cool, dry conditions.
  • The leaves can be kept throughout the year until the next harvesting season without any noticeable loss in quality.
  • To retain higher levels of vitamins, it is better to store dried whole leaves, rather than powder.
  • Entire fruits are commonly stored on the roofs of sheds.
  • The fruit pods will dry in the sun and the pulp and seeds will pull away from the inside of the shell, which can ease processing later.
  • Once processed, the pulp powder can be stored under similar conditions as the leaves, until the next harvesting season.
  • Dried and ground seeds can be stored under the same conditions as leaf and pulp powder.
  • Seed oil is resistant to oxidization and can therefore be kept for up to a year.
  • Products sold in local markets are usually in the form of fresh fruits, pulp, leaves, craft products and bark (fibre).
  • The marketing of baobab products usually involves a number of intermediary traders, with collection of products in rural areas and transport to urban centres.
  • The market value of baobab products varies among regions, and is usually much higher in urban centres.
  • The leaves and fruits of the baobab tree are staple foods in many parts of Africa, and for this reason leaves and fruits are sold in most African markets.
  • Products in international markets include pre-processed pulp and fibre, and seed oil.
  • Countries exporting baobab include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Malawi, Senegal and Zimbabwe.
  • Overseas companies have taken an interest in baobab products particularly for use in cosmetics, and in herbal and health food remedies.
  • The society Bui Sarl, Baobab Fruit Company, for example, buys fruits from producers for 125 FCFA (Franc Communauté Financière Africaine) (599 FCFA to US$ 1) per kg.
  • Products marketed include baobab oil and fruit juice from Zimbabwe and Malawi.
  • Users should avoid breathing the spray mist and avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
  • Accidental exposure to the concentrated product at high levels has been occasionally reported as causing skin irritation, numbness or tingling; however, no long-term effects have been reported.
  • The insecticide should not be used near direct heat or open flames.
  • The insecticide should be stored away from direct heat and from food and water to avoid contamination.
  • Extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.
  • It should be used with care when applying in areas adjacent to any body of water.
  • It should not be applied directly to water, to areas with surface water, or to inter-tidal areas.
  • It should not be applied when the weather conditions favour drift from the treated area, as drift or runoff from treated fields may kill fish and other aquatic organisms.
  • Care must be taken when cleaning equipment to ensure that water is not contaminated by disposal of waste water.
  • The insecticide is also highly toxic to bees following direct exposure.
  • The insecticide should not be applied to, or allow drift to, areas where bees are actively foraging.
  • Users should wear protective clothing and avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
  • The chemical may irritate the eyes, nose throat and skin.
  • It should be stored in an airtight container and kept away from water or fire.
  • Low toxicity to man and other animals.
  • Nutritional value
  • Socio-economic

Mistletoe, Loranthus mechouvii, has been found growing on the baobab. Other parasitic plants may also occur. These should be removed from the tree by hand before they become a problem, as heavy infestation of parasitic plants deprives the tree of nutrients and water. Heavily infested branches sometimes break off under the weight of parasitic plants, allowing entry of rot fungi.

6. HARVESTING
,jr See Technical Note 6 in Part II.
6.1 Harvesting time 6.1.1 Leaves
The leaves can be harvested from the tree at any age.

6.1.2 Fruits
The time for a baobab tree to reach its first harvest of fruits varies depending on the method of propagation.

6.1.3 Bark
Bark can be harvested at any time. At the end of the rainy season (October in West Africa), farmers have time available, and baobab begins its vegetative rest period.
6.2 Fruit ripeness and yield
Pod skin colour does not change rapidly with maturity and individual fruits mature at different times, so harvesting should be carried out selectively.

No specific data on the yield of the baobab tree have been collated because it is not a highly commercial species. Yield is likely to vary considerably from country to country, and is dependent on genetic and environmental factors.
6.3 Harvesting techniques 6.3.1 Leaves
Mass leaf harvesting is usually carried out from September to November in West Africa.

• Men may climb the trees at the end of the dry season to harvest all the leaves by hand to stock up for the dry season, but this is practiced less as it can be dangerous.
6.3.2 Fruits

6.3.3 Bark

7. PROCESSING AND STORAGE
,jr See Technical Note 7 in Part II.
7.1 Processing
The processing of baobab products can add value to the raw materials collected from the tree, by:

7.1.1 Leaves
Leaf powder is the main processed product.

7.1.2 Fruit pulp
The pulp is the most commonly used part of the fruit.

Uses of fruit pulp:

7.1.3 Seeds
Seed powder:

Uses for seed powder:

Seed oil:

7.1.4 Bark

7.2 Storage 7.2.1 Leaves

7.2.2 Fruit pulp

18
• Fruits can be kept in this state, unopened, for several months (up to 1 year) and processed only when needed.

7.2.3 Seeds

7.3 Marketing
,jr See Technical Note 7 in Part II.
7.3.1 Local marketing

7.3.2 International marketing

Phytotrade is a non-government organisation that helps African rural producers to develop and market their natural products for export

 

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APPENDIX 1. MULTIPLE USES OF BAOBAB

Leaves	• • • • •	Young, fresh leaves are cut into small pieces and cooked in sauces. Leaves are also dried and powdered for use in soups or sauces. Can be used as forage. Used medicinally for the treatment of many ailments including overcoming fever, diarrhoea and diseases of the urinary tract. Leaves (also fruit pulp and seeds) can be used as an antidote to the poison from Strophanthus (a tropical liana) species.
Fruit and pulp	•	Commonly used as a substitute for milk in some rural areas.
	•	Used as a flavouring in cooking in fresh and powdered forms.
	•	Mixed with water to produce beverages.
	•	Used as a substitute for cream of tartar.
	•	Dried pulp is processed industrially and marketed as powder to take with liquid for enhancing nutrition.
	•	The outer shells of the fruit can be used as pots for food and drink and can also be decorated and sold as art objects.
	•	Fruit shells can also be used as fuel.
	•	Pulp is used directly in making beverages.
	•	Fruit pulp is used medicinally to overcome fever and treat dysentery.
Seed	•	Used as a flavouring in cooking.
	•	Used as a thickening agent in soups.
	•	Can be eaten fresh, dried and roasted.
	•	Used as a substitute for coffee.
	•	Oil extracted from the seed can be used for cooking and for cosmetics.
	•	The oil is also used to treat inflamed gums and diseased teeth
		(medicinal).
	•	Used as a substitute for Parkia biglobosa seeds in soumbala, a traditional African dish widely traded in urban markets.
	•	Seed cake is a good high-protein livestock feed.
Bark	•	Fibre from the inner bark is widely used for making rope, cordage, harness straps, strings for musical instruments, baskets, nets, snares, fishing lines and cloth.
	•	Green bark can be used to produce dye.
	•	Bark is used widely for the treatment of ailments such as fever and dysentery (medicinal).
Wood	•	Used in the construction of canoes and fishing floats.
	•	Wood pulp can be processed into pulp for paper-making.
	•	The hollow tree trunk is commonly used for water storage and in some areas of Africa as a tomb.
Root	•	Root bark is used in traditional African and Indian medicine for the treatment of fever.
	•	Fibre from the root bark can be used to make rope.
	•	Used to produce a soluble red dye.
Gum	•	Used as a painkiller and disinfectant for injuries.

APPENDIX 2. PESTS, DISEASES AND FUNGI OF BAOBAB

 

Common name	Scientific name	Nature of attack	Bio-control	Other controls
Cotton bollworms	Heliothis armigera,Diparopsis castaneaand Earias biplaga	Leaf feeding by newly emerged larvae. Fruit boring.	Heliothis N PV, a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus used as a biopesticide against larvae of Heliothisand Helicoverpaspp. in some countries. NPV must be ingested to be effective, and kills the larvae within 2– 10 days. Trade names include: H-NPV® and Elcar®.	Remove affected parts. Weeding.
Cotton stainerbugs	Dysdercus fasciatus,D. intermeius, D. superstitiosus, (syn. D. nigro-fasciatus),Odontopusexsanguinis, O. sexpunctatus, Oxycarenus albipennis	Suck the sap of the leaves. Immature fruits fall.	No known bio- controls.	Remove affected parts.
Flea beetles	Padagrica spp.	Feed on plant foliage.	No known bio- controls.	Remove affected parts.
Cocoa capsid	Distantiella theobroma	Suck the sap of young foliage.	The antDolichoderusthoracicus has been tried with some success in Indonesia and Malaysia against cocoa capsids. This ant is not aggressive towards plantation workers.	Remove affected parts.

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Long hornbeetle	Aneleptes trifasciata	Attack and kill young trees by girdling.	No known bio- controls.	Remove affected parts.
Mealy bugs	Rastrococcusiceryoides	Suck the sap of the leaflets, mature and tender shoots, and leaf petiole bases. Leaves become chlorotic and defoliate. Immature fruits fall.	Ladybirds.	Remove affected parts.
Caterpillar	Gonimbrasia berlina	Feed on the leaves.	Micro- hymenoptera.	Remove by hand and crush.
Nematode	Rotylenchulus reniformis; Meloidogyne spp.	Feed on the roots.	No known bio- controls.	Flooding.
Macrofungi	Daldinia concentrica;Trametes socotrana	Wood decay fungi, usually enter through wounds in trunk or branches.	No known bio- controls.	Prune out dying and dead branches to limit spread of rot.
Powdery mildew	Leveillula taurica	Chlorotic spots on the upper surface of the leaf and a white powdery mass below; affected parts dry out, turn brown and break easily.	No known bio- controls.	Standard fungicides can be used e.g. Benlate and Sijolan.
Leafspot	Phyllosticta spp.	Irregularly round spots appear on the leaves.	No known bio- controls.	Standard fungicides can be used as above.
Mistletoe	Loranthus mechouvii	Parasitic plant growing on trunk and branches.	No known bio- controls.	Remove by hand before flowers set seed so birds and animals that will eat the seeds cannot pass them on.

APPENDIX 3. HEALTH AND SAFETY WHEN USING CHEMICALS
The following chemicals are examples of those that can be used for control of pests and diseases on baobab, together with the relevant health and safety advice for each.
DECIS
Active ingredients: Deltamethrin (chemical family pyrethroids)
Handling and storage:

Environmental impact:

B EN LATE
Active ingredients: Benomyl
Handling and storage:

Environmental impact: Toxic to fish. SIJOLAN
Active ingredients: Thiram + Heptachlore
Handling and storage: Users should be careful not to ingest the chemical and always wash their hands thoroughly after use. The chemical is made in Mali especially for the protection of cereals and legumes against seedling diseases; however, it is also used for baobab and other fruit trees. It is packed in small plastic bags of 10 g. It should be mixed with the seeds at the time of sowing. It is also possible to use this chemical to protect scions during the rainy season against fungal diseases.
Environmental impact:

GLOSSARY
Abscise                                When a leaf, flower or fruit falls off the plant naturally.
Air layering                   A method of propagation where a cut is made in a woody stem and
surrounded by damp soil or peat moss and held in place with a wrap (plastic). When roots from the plant can be seen the stem can be cut and the plant transplanted.
Bole                                        The trunk of a tree below the first major branch.
Bud                                                                                                                                                                                  A rudimentary structure consisting of meristematic tissue and a potential to
develop into a vegetative, reproductive or a mixture of structures.
Bud sticks                                               Current season’s shoots containing vegetative or leaf buds.
Dormancy                       Temporary stopping of growth.
Frond                                       Leaf of a plant with many divisions, e.g. a palm leaf.
Grafting                       Method of propagation, by inserting a section of one plant, usually a
shoot, into another, so that they grow together into a single plant.
Hormone                                     A biochemical product of a cell or tissue that can cause a change of activity
in a cell or tissue elsewhere in the plant (organism). Rooting hormone is an artificial chemical which causes rooting in the tissue it is applied to.
Loam                                 A generally fertile and well-drained soil, containing clay, sand and a
significant amount of decomposed organic matter.
Mother plant               The ‘superior’ or good quality plant from which cuttings, scion materials
or seeds can be collected.
Node                                         Point on a stem from where leaves, shoots or flowers grow.
Nursery                                       An area or structure set aside for growth and protection of young plants.
Pinched                                      The terminal leaves may be removed using a finger nail or sharp knife; this
may encourage growth in the roots.
Pollarding                                  A process whereby tree tops are severely cut back each year to the same
spots on the branches, forming the growth of large, knobbly stubs, from which young shoots can grow.
Propagation                  Production of a new plant, either by vegetative means involving the
rooting or grafting of pieces of plant, or by sowing seeds.
Rootstock                     The root system and lower portion of a woody plant to which a graft of a
more desirable plant is attached.
Scarify                                     To scar, nick or cut the seed coat, to enhance germination.
Scion                           A cutting from the upper portion of a plant, which is then grafted onto
the rootstock of another plant.
Seed propagation           Production of a new plant by sowing seeds.
Soil bed                                  An area where soil is laid down for seeding.
Unpinched                    Opposite to pinched, terminal leaves are not removed.
Vegetative                    Production of a new plant by vegetative means involving the rooting or
propagation                         grafting of pieces of plant.
Why Grow Baobab Trees?

le’ Leaves: Used as a green vegetable in cooking.
le’ Fruit: Powdered pulp used to make drink, flavouring and as cream of tartar.
le’ Seed: Soup thickening agent, roasted as a snack and oil extracted by pounding seeds.

Fruit: Large (24 x 12 cm)
oblong, green grey Leaf Seeds: Bean shaped with floury pulp

le’ Leaves: Dried leaves sold in market.
le’ Fruit: Dried fruit powder is sold in markets, hard fruit shells are made into pots for food and drink. Also made into cream of tartar.
le’ Seed: Seed oil sold for cosmetics.
le’ Bark: Inner fibres for rope, string, nets and fishing line. le’ Wood: Used to make canoes and paper.
le’ Root: Used to make Soluble red dye and rope.                                        Bark

Wood


 


Roots
3. Environmental
le’ Tree canopy and roots reduce soil erosion and maintain soil structure. Baobabs may be grown in dry and de­graded areas. See part 1
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
. Medicinal values
le’ Leaves: Contain vitamin A, which improves eyesight and treats dysentery, insect bites and fatigue.
le’ Fruit: Pulp contains vitamin C, which helps to prevent colds. Pulp also treats dys­entery, measles and smallpox.
le’ Seed: Contains vitamin B1, calcium, iron, edible oils and proteins. Also used to treat inflamed gums and teeth disorders.
le’ Bark: Substitutes for quinine in cases of fever/malaria. le’ Gum: Used as pain killer and disinfectant.
5. Cultural
le’ Acts as a ceremonial focus for hunters and others.

6. Other
le’ Leaves: Animal feed le’ Trunk: Storing water

Leaf Bark
Seeds: Bean shaped with floury pulp
1b
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
Where To Grow Baobab Trees

Baobabs grow mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, but will also grow in northern Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Middle East and the West Indies.

Baobab grows in tropical areas with dry winter and hot wet summers (Africa, India, Malaysia and Indonesia).
le’ Rainfall
le’ Best average: 500–800 mm per year.
le’ Can survive from 300–1400 mm per year.
le’ Not below 300 mm.
~ Temperature
~ Best average from 20–40°C.
~ Ability to survive low temperature but not frost.

le’ Soils: Will grow on many soils including sandy loams and laterite.

le’ Can be planted in orchards, home gardens, grass lands and field boundaries. le’ Suitable for marginal land.
le’ Intercropping – other crops can be grown between baobab trees to make use of land. See Technical Note 5b

Intercropping system

© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
What To Grow

1. Characteristics le’ Deciduous: Sheds its leaves each year. le’ Bark: Smooth, silver-grey, pink or dark grey. le’ Lifespan: Hundreds of years. le’ Height: Up to 25 m. le’ Trunk diameter: 6–10 m. le’ Leaves: Palmate (like a hand).
	Good characteristics

2. Selection of planting materials
le’ Seeds: Collect seeds when fruit is mature from strongly growing trees.
le’ Cuttings: Select cuttings from mature full grown trees showing desired characteris­tics.
s. Morphotypes
There are no commercial varieties of baobab. Morphotypes have been identified locally for different products e.g. leaves, bark, fruit. In Mali, the following are known:
le’ Sirafing: Mild flavoured leaves.
le’ Bark – dark grey in colour
le’ Trunk – black
le’ Sirable: Produces the highest quality, most delicious fruit. le’ Bark – pinkish purple in colour
le’ Trunk – red
le’ Siradie: Recognised for its high quality fibre. le’ Bark – silver/grey in colour
le’ Trunk – grey
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
How to Grow the Baobab Tree
- Growing Seedlings and Young Trees -
1. Nursery establishment

Nursery may be under a tree or under shade

Temporary nursery using grass or leaves for shade
2. Selecting the nursery site
It should be:
le’ On level ground with good drainage. le’ Use raised beds to assist drainage.
le’ Close to regular water supply.
le’ Sheltered from wind.
le’ Not liable to flooding.
le’ Protected from stray or domestic animals.

YOUNGTREES

© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
How to Grow the Baobab Tree
- Propagation by Seed -
1. Stages in seed propagation

Stages in seed propagation

Cutting seed coat              Boil seeds

Potting mixture

le’ To ensure better germination, seed coat
must be cut to allow water to enter.
le’ Cut seed coat with knife and soak in water for 3 days, or boil seeds in water for 5–7 minutes.

le’ Mix three parts of top soil with one part sand and one part compost.

Sowing seed ‘e’ Sow 1–2 seeds in plastic bags, clay pots or tins.
	Clay pot                         Plastic bag

New seedling le’ Water seeds every 2–3 days. le’ Seedlings ready for planting out when 2–3 pairs of leaves have grown.

A young seedling

SEED PROPOGATION

© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
How to Grow the Baobab Tree V
- Vegetative Propagation – E

le’ Ensures the characteristics of the new tree are the same as those of the mother tree.
le’ Trees come into bearing sooner.
le’ Vegetative propagation may be carried out throughout the year, but not during the hot season.

le’ Take 5–10 cm cutting from terminal shoot of mature mother tree in the morning.

A
B
3. Preparing the cutting
le’ A. Cutting with 2 leaves remaining. Cut leaves in half.
le’ B. Cut surface dipped in hormone at 45° angle to ensure an even covering. Root­ing hormone IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid). Dilute with 50% alcohol.
le’ C and D. Cutting placed vertically in soil to a depth of 2.5 cm.
C
Soil level
2.5cm
D
5-10 cm
45°
Rooting hormone

le’ Survival success in the field about 15%.
le’ Remove shoot tip to encourage root development. le’ Keep soil moist all the time.

Plastic bags or pots                      Plastic tape
Secateurs
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK

Clean, sharp knife

GETATIVE PROPAGATION
Rootstock selection and preparation
le’ Collect seed and sow as described in Seed Propagation. Seedling ready for grafting at three months old or when stem is just thicker than a pencil.
le’ Make downward slanting cut into stem.
le’ Make second cut below first to remove a piece of bark and wood.

le’ Cut scion from mature fruit bearing mother tree.
le’ Choose 6–9 months old scion with one or more buds. le’ Cut a 5–10 cm scion that is 1 cm in diameter.
le’ Cut off the top of the scion. At least one bud should remain.
le’ Place the blade of the knife almost parallel to the twig to make a level surface of about 4–5 cm length with one gentle cut.

Root‑
stock

Scion
8. The graft union
le’ Match the cut surfaces of scion and rootstock to one another.
le’ Bind the rootstock and scion to­gether with plastic tape.
Preparation of
scion
Rootstock and scion
ready to be bound
9. Graft development
le’ A. Scion attached to rootstock. Cover scion with small plastic bag to prevent moisture loss.
le’ B. After 2–3 weeks.
le’ C. After 1 month. Graft is successful if new leaves appear on scion.
le’ D. After 2–3 months. Remove top of rootstock when 3–4 leaves have grown.
le’ Water pots regularly.
le’ Remove bag after 3 to 4 weeks.
le’ Remove the tape after 4 to 6 months, when the union has healed.

First leaves begin
to develop
Scion covered
with plastic bag

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK

How to Grow the Baobab Tree
- Field Establishment -

le’ For leaf production only, plant 0.2 by 0.5 metres.
le’ For leaves and fruit, 4 by 4 metres.
le’ For small orchards, 13 by 13 metres.
le’ Also plant on farm boundaries and along roadways 15 metres apart.

Spacing for leaf production                                          Spacing for leaves and fruit

le’ Remove bottom and slit side of plastic container.
3. Pit planting
le’ A. Dig the pit 50 x 50 cm. Mix 15–20 kg manure into planting pit.
le’ B. Place tree in centre of the hole and fill with soil to the root collar.
60 cm
A                                 B
60 cm
4. Irrigation
le’ 1–2 litres of water twice a week during establishment.
FIELD

ESTABLISHMENT
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
How to Grow the Baobab Tree
- Field Management -

Pruning le’ Little pruning is required. Pluck leaves for eating or market sales. Pollarding le’ As tree gets older, for leaf production.

le’ Dig a basin around newly planted tree and keep basin free of weeds.

le’ Mature trees produce well without fertilizers.
le’ Fertilizers may be applied at the time of planting or for intensive leaf production.
le’ Fertilizer may be useful on sandy soils, if the tree grows poorly or has yellow leaves.
le’ Farm yard manure: 10–15 kg/tree/year. Apply before rains .
le’ Rock phosphate (if available) may be used for intensive leaf production: 150 gm/tree/year before rains.

Young tree with
basin free of weeds

Cow manure is dried in the sun and added to the planting holes.

le’ For first few years intercrop with pearl millet, beans or vegetables, groundnuts, cassava, maize or sorghum.

le’ Baobabs can be planted for windbreaks and soil conservation at 3–4 m spacing between trees.
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
FIELD MANAGEMENT

Harvesting

Dolé         Stick
Sickle

Shears

~ Machete or Dolé: used when leaf stalk is fresh and easy to cut or to cut down fruit.
le’ Stick: Sometimes used to knock down fruits.
le’ Sickle: Used when leaf stalk is hard to cut at end of sea­son. Also used for cutting down fruit.
le’ Daba: A short hoe used for cultivating and weeding. le’ You may use shears if available.


Harvesting of young baobab leaves
le’ Harvest from well-established trees between March and October.
3. Bark

le’ Harvest at same time as leaves – March to October.
le’ Can harvest bark again in 4–5 years.
4. Fruits
le’ Grafted trees come into bearing in 3–4 years.
le’ Seedling trees come into bearing in 9–20 years.
le’ Harvest fruit when shell is brown,
Immature fruit –
between December and April.
green/grey
Mature fruit – brown
Harvesting of fruits by hand
(beware of accidents)
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
Use daba to remove bark.
Use fibres to make rope.

Daba


HARVESTING
Post-harvest Handling
and Storage

le’ Whole fruits can be stored on shed roofs or raised platforms. le’ Unopened and un-cracked fruit can last up to one year.

Platform                                                      Rooftop

le’ Grind pulp to a powder and store in sealed cans, jars or plastic bags.

Keep sealed containers in cool, dry conditions.

le’ Dry seeds and pound into powder. Store in cans or jars.
POST

RVESTHANDLIN HAG

© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK

Processing









PROCESSING

© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK
Marketing and Economics
1. Local marketing
le’ Baobab products usually sold as fresh or dried fruits, pulp, leaves, bark (fibres) and craft products.

Marketing chain
1. International market
le’ Products usually sold as pre-processed pulp and fibres.
3. Income potential
le’ Yields vary greatly depending on location, soils and tree management.
le’ For example fruit pulp prices in December 2004 in Burkina Faso were:
Retail: Approximately 50€ per 250 g.
Wholesale: Approximately 35€ per kg.
Supplier: Approximately US $ 3 to US $ 20 per kg (FOB*).
Prices depending upon the quantity, quality and other trade terms.
Organic and Fair Trade certified fruits, with certification costs, may increase the price fetched by US $ 5 per kg FOB.
(*free on board)
Gruenwald, J. and Galizia, M. 2005 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, BioTrade Initiative / BioTrade Facilitation Programme.
© 2006 Southampton Centre for Underutilised Crops, UK

Baobab

Baomix “Polvere di Baobab”, proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab

Le proprietà antiossidanti naturali di BAOMIX giocano un ruolo essenziale nel combattere i radicali liberi, la proliferazione dei quali contribuisce al prematuro invecchiamento delle cellule. Questi antiossidanti sono parte integrante di svariati processi metabolici, quali la produzione di collagene, la sintesi di ormoni (steroidi) e la produzione di tessuti connettivi e neurotrasmettitori.
L’acido ascorbico, trovato anch’esso nel BAOMIX, migliora la capacità corporea di assimilare e distribuire calcio e ferro.

BAOMIX è in special modo raccomandato per coloro che desiderano ri-costruire o mantenere in buono stato la propria salute: adulti, bambini nella fase di crescita, studenti ed atleti. BAOMIX è un integratore dietetico e non deve essere usato come sostituto di una dieta varia e bilanciata.

Al 100% biologico e senza glutine, BAOMIX è ottenuto separando naturalmente la buccia disidratata dalla polpa interna del frutto.

Istruzioni: Sciogliere 2 cucchiai in un bicchiere d’acqua, succo di frutta, te freddo, latte o yogurt una o due volte al giorno. Da provare anche come tonico a colazione aggiungendo due cucchiai in una tazza di cioccolata calda al mattino. Ulteriori ricette si trovano sul sito:  baomix.com

Ingredienti: polpa di baobab 100% biologica (Adansonia digita

Baomix "Polvere di Baobab", proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab

ta). Dal sapore dolce ed intenso, la polpa contiene tiamina (vitamina B1) e riboflavonoidi (vitamina B2), entrambi essenziali nella rigenerazione delle cellule staminali della pelle, e niacina (vitamina B3), che ricopre un ruolo importante in diverse funzioni metaboliche. La polpa di babobab è naturalmente ricca di minerali – calcio, ferro, potassio, magnesio, manganese, fosforo e zinco – ed in molteplici aminoacidi essenziali.

2 cucchiai di BAOMIX contengono il 44% della razione giornaliera raccomandata di fibre, delle quali il 22,4% solubile e il 22,6% non solubile. La fibra solubile bilancia e rafforza la flora intestinale aiutando una digestione facile e salutare.

Eccellente integratore di una dieta attiva, 100 grammi di BAOMIX contengono un quantitativo di vitamina C (300 mg) sette volte maggiore di quello dell’equivalente quantità di arancia ed un quantitativo di calcio (295 mg) tre volte maggiore di quello del latte.

Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto.

Composizione per 100 g di baobab: 75,6% carboidrati, 2,3% proteine, 0,27% grassi e 300 mg di vitamina C.

Origine: Senegal, distribuito da AGOJI France

Baomix Polvere di Baobab, proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab

Sito : www.abaobab.com

Tags: antiossidanti, Polpa di baobab

4 years Bonsai Baobab tree indoor plants

Baobab: The Tree of Life

The Baobab is called the Tree of Life with good reason. It is capable of providing shelter, food and water for the animal and human inhabitants of the African savannah regions.

The cork-like bark is fire resistant and is used for cloth and rope. The leaves are used for condiments and medicines. The fruit, called “monkey bread”, is rich in vitamin C and is eaten. The tree is capable of storing hundreds of litres of water, which is tapped in dry periods.

Mature trees are frequently hollow, providing living space for numerous animals and humans alike. Trees are even used as bars, barns and more. The Baobab also features as the Tree of Life in Disney’s “Lion King”, and is the centrepiece in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Radio-carbon dating has measured that age of some Baobab trees at over 2,000 years old.

Baobab bonsai are one of the world’s most fascinating bonsai. Baobab trees grow in Africa, and are one of the world’s most unusual looking trees.

There are many legends revolving around the Baobab tree, among one of the most common being that the tree was cast down from heaven and grew upside down, as the canopy branches of the tree often look like roots.

As the tree loses its leaves in the winter season, this characteristic is predominate during this time.

If you are intending on keeping a Baobab bonsai, there are several things that you will need to remember. First, these trees are extremely sensitive to temperature. They will not thrive in places that get cold. Many growers have witnessed a tree die within several days due to quick exposure to cold temperatures.

If you live somewhere cold, it is vital that you store the Baobab bonsai somewhere the plant can remain warm throughout the winter season. In addition, the Baobab bonsai should receive no water at all during the winter, as watering them in winter will cause root rot and your plant will die.

The most challenging aspect of caring for a Baobab bonsai, aside from taking care to water properly, is to acknowledge that these trees take a very long time to grow. You will not get instant results from this type of bonsai tree. You will need to take your time and carefully plan your bonsai design, and realize that these trees may take well over ten years before you will see results. However, once designed, they make an excellent part of any bonsai collection. As they are fairly easy to care for as long as you pay attention to the plant’s dormancy period, growers of any level can enjoy this tree.

If you are interested in growing Baobab bonsai, there are several things that you can do to acquire one. First, you can attempt to grow your own from a seed. Seeds can be purchased online or from specialty vendors. Seedlings and already designed bonsai can also be purchased, although shipping this type of plant can be dangerous if you are shipping during the dormancy period or to a place that has lower temperatures.

Baobab Bonsai tree indoor plants, Growing a baobab, Houseplants

Website : www.abaobab.com

Tags: Baobab bonsai, Growing a baobab

How to Plant Baobab Seeds, Growing a baobab tree

Tags: Baobab seeds, Botanic of the Baobab tree, Growing a baobab

The Baobab tree possibly older than the Giza Pyramids
Carbon dating has been used to estimate the Big Baobab’s age at ± 6000 years. To put this in perspective the tree is possibly older than the Giza Pyramids and was certainly here thousands of years before the birth of Jesus Christ. When the first leaves sprouted the Sahara Desert was still lush and green and our Iron Age ancestors were roaming the land.

Sunland’s Baobab is 22 meters high, and is some 47 meters in circumference. It is still (and is likely to remain so) “the record holder for the species”, according to the SA Dendrological Society.

The Baobab tree possibly older than the Giza Pyramids

In 1993 the van Heerdens cleared out the hollow centre of the tree, removing masses of compost build up, to uncover the floor about a meter below ground level. In the process they found evidence of both Bushmen and Voortrekkers, attesting to the historical importance of the tree.

They squared off a natural vent in the trunk to make a door and installed a railway sleeper pub inside the trunk, complete with draft beer, seats and a music system. One party had 60 people inside the tree bar!. A wine cellar was installed in a second hollow, with a constant temperature of 22° C, ventilated by natural vents.

The tree blooms gloriously in spring. It is home to many bird species, including two pairs of owls.

There are eight species of Baobab, the African variety, six in Madagascar and one in Australia. The African variety, Adonsonia Digitata, is the largest and is found in 20 sub Saharan countries. It thrives in dry climes which have low to moderate seasonal rainfall.

In some parts of Africa entire forests of moderate sized Baobabs sprout from arid plains, but giants like the van Heerden’s tend to be solitary. This is because their peers have long since perished through flood (Baobabs cannot bear being waterlogged), drought, lightning strike or marauding elephants. All four, plus a disease called black fungus, ensure that only the hardiest survive to a ripe old age. As Hugh Glen, a government botanist, once said “the problem with the Baobab is that it doesn’t get handsome until it’s about 800 years old”.

The Bushmen believed that the Baobab had offended God and, in revenge, God planted the tree upside down. Certainly, when winter comes, the Baobab resembles a mass of roots pointing towards the sky instead of being underground. The Baobab has been associated with many myths, mysteries and folklore. Even the flowers bloom at night. Bushmen believed that any person who plucks the flowers will be torn apart by lions, because there are spirits in the flowers. When water is drunk, in which the Baobab’s pips have been soaked, this serves as protection from crocodiles and the drinker will be mighty.

The Baobab has a special role in Africa. Elephants, monkeys and baboons depend on its fruit (the vitamin C content of one fruit is the equivalent of 4 oranges); bats pollinate them by crashing into the flowers while chasing insects; bush babies also spread the pollen; the pollen can be used as glue; the seeds are rich in protein, calcium, oil and phosphates – they can also be roasted and ground like coffee beans; young leaves have a high calcium content and can be used as spinach; the trunk is fibrous and can be woven into rope mats and paper; beer and tea can be made from the bark, but you need a strong constitution to drink either.

It was at one time believed that Baobabs were in danger of becoming extinct. This was before botanists realised that the small trees do not resemble the mature trees at all. Fortunately the Baobab is not threatened. But the large trees are not immune to man’s intrusion. A famous tree, the Nomsiang Baobab, named after the farm in which it stood, was close to the highway and thousands of visitors trampled the ground so hard that it became impervious to rainwater and the magnificent tree died. We can rest easier when custodians like the van Heerdens’ guard our trees.

design © FullHouse 2010

Tags: Baobab health benefits

Polpa di baobab, energia ed equilibrio per l’organismo

Conosciuto ed utilizzato sin dai tempi degli Egizi per le sue caratteristiche curative e nutrizionali, da sempre parte della Farmacopea Africana, il Baobab è stato solo recentemente studiato dai centri ricerca di università e aziende. Per le sue proprietà risulta essere un integratore alimentare molto efficacie per aiutare l’organismo nei periodi più impegnativi e di stress, in particolare durante le diete ipocaloriche.

Recenti studi clinici ne comprovano la validità come ricostituente, regolarizzatore del tratto intestinale e antiossidante.

La polpa del frutto dell’albero di Baobab ha un contenuto di vitamina C di 8-10 volte maggiore di quello dell’arancia, è quindi un ottimo antiossidante, utile per la prevenzione dell’invecchiamento.
Ha un buon contenuto di calcio, di magnesio e fosforo, minerali molto utili per combattere l’osteoporosi tipica della donna in menopausa e per favorire il consolidamento delle fratture ossee.
E’ ricco di fibre, alcune di esse (le fibre solubili) hanno anche la funzione di prebiotici che lo rendono un naturale regolatore dell’intestino.

E’ energizzante e saziante. Aiuta l’organismo nei periodi più impegnativi e di stress e in particolar modo in corso di regimi alimentari ipocalorici (diete). Grazie all’elevato contenuto di fibre alimentari contribuisce al raggiungimento del senso di sazietà e riequilibra la funzione intestinale.

Azione prebiotica del Baobab

Alcune fibre solubili hanno anche la funzione di prebiotici, cioè di sostanze che a livello dell’intestino crasso stimolano selettivamente la crescita e l’attività metabolica di un numero limitato di gruppi microbici, in particolare bifidobatteri, importanti per il mantenimento di diverse funzioni dell’intestino e dell’intero organismo.

Alcuni studi hanno valutato l’azione della polvere di frutto di Baobab sulla flora batterica intestinale. Si è visto che essa provocava un significativo incremento della popolazione di Bifidobacterium (batteri molto utili) e un evidente calo delle popolazioni di Bacteroides, Clostridia, Fusobacteria e Cocchi gram + (batteri poco utili).

Questi dati indicano che l’aggiunta di polvere di frutto di Baobab alla dieta aumenta significativamente la popolazione di Bifidobacterium nell’intestino umano.

Polpa di baobab, energia ed equilibrio per l'organismo

Azione antidiarroica del Baobab

Peraltro un’alimentazione con un alto contenuto di fibre aggrava le situazioni in cui vi è un transito intestinale accelerato.

La particolarità della polpa del frutto del Baobab, ad alto contenuto di fibra (56 g. su 100 gr. di prodotto tal quale), è invece quella di essere un potente antidiarroico, riconosciuto ormai a livello mondiale come unica cura naturale per la lotta a questo disturbo, presente in maniera rilevante nei paesi africani.

L’attività antispasmodica e l’effetto inibitore sul transito intestinale sono due fattori contribuenti a rinforzare l’azione antidiarroica della polpa, completata anche dalle azioni antiinfiammatoria e antimicrobica che le sono attribuite.

Azione antiossidante del Baobab

Uno studio ha fatto una valutazione della capacità antiossidante dell’estratto della polpa dei frutti di Baobab, in confronto con quella di altri vegetali ritenuti ricche fonti di antiossidanti (arancia, kiwi, mela, fragola).

I risultati sono stati calcolati come grammi di prodotto fresco (FW) utilizzando il Trolox®, un test capace di rivelare la quantità di radicali liberi, come standard di riferimento.

La polpa del frutto di Baobab è risultata quella con la migliore azione antiossidante/antiradicalica, seguita dalla polpa del frutto di fragola, da quella del frutto di kiwi, dalla polpa del frutto di arancia e infine dalla mela polpa e buccia. Q
uesti dati evidenziano le interessanti proprietà antiossidanti di questo frutto; in particolare il valore antiossidante della polpa di frutto del Baobab è risultato essere circa 10 volte più alto di quello della polpa di arancia.

Eticità, come e dove viene raccolto il Baobab

Il Baobab viene raccolto e lavorato in Africa in collaborazione con le più importanti ONG, al fine di migliorare la qualità della vita dei villaggi dove avviene la raccolta e divulgare un prodotto da loro conosciuto e utilizzato da millenni.

Lotta alla povertà:
Controllano che i proventi della raccolta vengano distribuiti equamente e che non ci sia lo sfruttamento da parte di commercianti disonesti.
Risultati: Incremento 158% dei redditi per i villaggi di raccolta.
Controllo principi etici: non sfruttamento bambini?

Sviluppo sostenibile:
Riconoscimento dei benefici intrinseci del prodotto e della potenzialità di sviluppo del mercato Baobab nei paesi industrializzati.

Divulgazione ai villaggi africani della potenzialità di uno sviluppo nel lungo periodo dell’industria della raccolta e trasformazione del Baobab.
Divulgazione dell’opportunità che questo potrà significare per lo sviluppo sostenibile dell’Africa.

Scheda Baobab

Famiglia: Bombacaceae
Habitat: Quasi tutta l’Africa subsahariana. E’ presente anche in alcune zons dell’India.
Parte usata: la polpa dei frutti essiccata e ridotta in polvere.
Composizione chimica: è una pianta molto ricca di fibre, vitamine e sali minerali. Il contenuto di aminoacidi è buono, con particolare abbondanza per acido aspartico, acido glutammico, arginina, prolina, alanina, fenilalanina e lisina.
Associazioni consigliate: Con Alga marina, The verde, Guaranà, Ortosifon e Pilosella per combattere sovrappeso e obesità.
Possibili effetti indesiderati: Non sono noti effetti collaterali o particolari controindicazioni legati all’assunzione di polpa di baobab. Questa polvere può essere assunta anche in gravidanza, durante l’allattamento e in età pediatrica.
Possibili interazioni con farmaci: Può rallentare l’assorbimento dei farmaci; eventuali altre terapie vanno quindi somministrate almeno 1 ora prima e non meno di 3 ore dopo la sua assunzione.
Utilizzi principali: Per aiutare l’organismo nei periodi più impegnativi e di stress e in particolar modo in corso di regimi alimentari ipocalorici (diete dimagranti)

www.abaobab.com

Tags: antiossidanti, Polpa di baobab

Proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab Adansonia digitata POLPA DI BAOBABDenominazione botanica: Adansonia digitata L. - Famiglia: Bombacacee Tempo balsamico: a maturazione Parti utilizzate: polpa del frutto privata dei semi Habitat: savana africana

Proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab Adansonia digitata POLPA DI BAOBAB

Il Baobab è un imponente albero, raggiunge i 25 metri di altezza e, nella stagione delle pioggie, arriva ad immagazzinare fino a 30 tonnellate di acqua superando così i periodi di siccità. In queste condizioni il diametro dell’albero può raggiungere i 40 metri di diametro. La polpa di Baobab contiene mediamente 75,6% di carboidrati totali, il 2,3% di proteine (come aminoacidi) e un bassissimo contenuto di lipidi totali (0,27%). Molto elevato è il contenuto di vitamina C, oltre 6 volte quello di un’arancia. La vitamina C è utile per favorire l’assorbimento del calcio e rendere maggiormente biodisponibile il ferro (4)
1) AZIONE ENERGETICA-STIMOLANTE: grazie all’alto contenuto di carboidrati e vitamina C, il Baobab rappresenta un’importante fonte energetica, indicata soprattutto per gli sportivi in quanto, possedendo pure una buona azione antiossidante e antinfiammatoria, favorisce un rapido recupero dopo lo sforzo.
2) AZIONE ANTIOSSIDANTE: è legata fondamentalmente all’ elevata concentrazione di vitamina C, capace di contrastare la formazione di radicali liberi, di consentire una maggior vitalità e sostenere nei casi di affaticamento.
3) AZIONE ANTIINFIAMMATORIA-ANALGESICA-ANTIPIRETICA: già nota alla medicina tradizionale africana, è stata oggetto in tempi recenti di indagini scientifiche che hanno dimostrato la reale efficienza del Baobab. Tali azioni sono dovute alla presenza di fitosteroli, saponine e triterpeni (5).
4) AZIONE PREBIOTICA: l’elevatissimo contenuto di fibra, di cui il 22% solubile, è capace di stimolare selettivamente la crescita dei batteri simbionti della microflora intestinale, cioè di alcuni specifici batteri secretori di vitamine, acidi organici e altre sostanze importanti per il buon funzionamento dell’organismo (6).
5) AZIONE ANTIDIARROICA: è dovuta alla presenza di tannini, mucillagini, cellulosa ed acidi organici.
Note e avvertenze: Non sono note controindicazioni o particolari avvertenze circa l’utilizzo degli integratori a base di polvere di polpa di baobab.

Proprietà antiossidanti naturali di Baobab Adansonia digitata POLPA DI BAOBAB

sito: www.abaobab.com

Tags: antiossidanti, Polpa di baobab

Afrikanischer Affenbrotbaum
Der Afrikanische Affenbrotbaum (Adansonia digitata), auch Afrikanischer Baobab (von arabisch bu-hubub) genannt, zählt zur Unterfamilie der Bombacoideae in der Familie der Malvengewächse (Malvaceae). Er gehört zu den bekanntesten und charakteristischsten Bäumen des tropischen Afrika.

Afrikanischer Affenbrotbaum, Adansonia digitata

Der wissenschaftliche Gattungsname ehrt den europäischen Entdecker des Baums, den französischen Naturforscher Michel Adanson, der im 18. Jahrhundert in Saint-Louis den ersten Botanischen Garten Senegals anlegte. Das Artepithet digitata spielt auf die Form der Blätter an, die sich aus fünf bis neun Einzelblättchen zusammensetzen, welche entfernt an die Finger einer menschlichen Hand erinnern.

Der Affenbrotbaum zeichnet sich durch einen relativ kurzen, extrem dicken Stamm aus. So steht in Südafrika im Letaba-Distrikt ein Affenbrotbaum, der bei einer Höhe von 19 Metern einen Stammdurchmesser von 10,64 Metern aufweist. Bemerkenswerterweise werden diese Ausmaße allein durch primäres Dickenwachstum erreicht. In Ostafrika treten sehr häufig flaschenförmige Stammformen auf, bei denen sich der Stamm abrupt in wenigen Metern Höhe stark verjüngt.

Die Baumkrone besteht aus kräftigen, oft unförmig erscheinenden Ästen, die eine weit ausladende Krone bilden. Im unbelaubten Zustand erinnert die Astkrone an ein Wurzelsystem, was zu der Legende beigetragen hat, der Affenbrotbaum sei ein vom Teufel verkehrt herum gepflanzter Baum.

Der Stamm ist häufig tief gefurcht oder weist kehlige Vertiefungen auf. Die graubraune bis graue Rinde ist zwischen fünf und zehn Zentimeter dick. Deshalb kann der Baum kleinere Buschbrände relativ unversehrt überstehen. Sie ist außen hart und innen faserig. Junge Bäume haben zuerst eine Pfahlwurzel. Mit zunehmendem Alter des Baumes entwickelt sich ein Lateralwurzelsystem, das bis in 1,8 Meter Tiefe reicht. In horizontaler Richtung erstreckt sich das Wurzelsystem weiter als die Baumhöhe.

Baobab in SenegalBei Baobabs werden entsprechend der Stammform vier Entwicklungsphasen unterschieden : schmale Schösslinge, Kegelförmige, Flaschenförmige, und Alte. Schösslinge (bis 10–15 Jahre) wachsen zunächst ohne ausgeprägtes Dickenwachstum zu einer Höhe von vier bis sechs Metern heran, die Äste ragen spitzwinklig nach oben. Auf geeigneten Standorten wachsen sie anfangs jährlich zwischen 80 und 100 Zentimetern. Dann schwillt der Stamm zu einer Kegelform an (bis 60 bis 70 Jahre), wird 5 bis 15 Meter hoch und bis zu 7 Metern dick, und der Baum blüht erstmalig. In einem Alter von 30 bis 40 Jahren beginnen die Äste rechtwinklig vom Stamm weg zu wachsen und nehmen ab dann in ihrem Längenwachstum deutlich zu. Danach ist der Baum mit 10 bis 20 Metern in der Höhe ausgewachsen, der Stamm nimmt in der Dicke nur langsam zu und entwickelt eine Flaschenform (200-300 Jahre). Ein Baum kann im Alter von einhundert Jahren bereits einen Stammdurchmesser von vier bis fünf Metern erreicht haben. Schließlich entwickelt der Baum eine ausladende Krone und wächst nur noch sehr langsam in die Breite, hohle und mehrfache Stämme sind häufig zu finden (bis 800 Jahre).

Blätter
Der Affenbrotbaum ist ein periodisch laubabwerfender Baum. Die Laubblätter erscheinen im Frühsommer kurz vor dem Beginn der Regenzeit und entwickeln sich vollständig innerhalb von vier Wochen. Bleibt der Regen aus oder ist die Regenmenge sehr gering, verzögert sich die Blattentwicklung.

Affenbrotbäume treiben zuerst Blätter von einfacher elliptischer Form aus, die jedoch sehr frühzeitig wieder abgeworfen werden. Ihnen folgen glänzend grüne Laubblätter, die fünf- bis neunteilig sind. Sie haben einen Durchmesser von etwa 20 Zentimetern und sind an den Zweigen wechselständig angeordnet.

Blüten
Das Alter, in dem der Baum das erste Mal Blüten ansetzt, ist abhängig von seinem Verbreitungsgebiet. In Westafrika blüht der Affenbrotbaum das erste Mal im Alter von acht bis zehn Jahren, in Ost- und Südafrika erst, wenn der Baum mindestens 16 Jahre alt geworden ist.

Der Blütenansatz erfolgt vier Wochen nach der Blattentwicklung. Die Hauptblütezeit beträgt vier Wochen, die einzelne Blüte blüht dagegen nur 24 Stunden. In dieser Zeit ist sie für etwa 16 bis 20 Stunden bestäubungsfähig.
Früchte und Samen
Nach der Bestäubung entwickeln sich an den langen Stielen innerhalb von acht Monaten Kapseln, die je nach Verbreitungsgebiet unterschiedlich geformt sind. Bei in Angola verbreiteten Affenbrotbäumen ist die Frucht von länglicher Form. In den anderen natürlichen Verbreitungsgebieten ist die Frucht eher ei- bis kugelförmig. Die an Stielen herunterhängenden Früchte erreichen eine Länge zwischen 25 und 40 Zentimetern. Sie verfärben sich während des Reifungsprozesses von grün über gelb in ein Graubraun.

Das auch für den Menschen essbare Fruchtfleisch ist weiß, schmeckt aufgrund des Vitamin C-Gehalts säuerlich und ist von einer Konsistenz, die in etwa an feste, brüchige Watte erinnert, aus denen die Samen herausgebrochen werden können. Im Fruchtfleisch eingebettet sind die Samen der Früchte, die gleichfalls essbar sind. Sie sind haselnussgroß, nierenförmig und sehr fettreich. Verzehrt werden die Früchte vor allem von Elefanten und Pavianen, aber auch Antilopen und Kleinsäuger fressen sie. Dabei werden auch die Samen aufgenommen, passieren aber den Verdauungstrakt der Konsumenten unaufgeschlossen und werden von Vögeln aus dem ausgeschiedenen Kot herausgepickt.

Die Samen bleiben mehrere Jahre keimfähig und weisen eine ausgeprägte Keimruhe auf. Diese wird in der Natur vermutlich durch Buschfeuer, langanhaltende Regenfälle oder die Verdauung durch Elefanten (siehe auch endochore Pflanzen) durchbrochen.

Ohne Behandlung beträgt die Keimfähigkeit der Samen unter 20 %. Künstlich werden sie keimfähig gemacht, indem sie mit kochend heißem Wasser übergossen und etwa einen Tag in der Flüssigkeit stehen gelassen werden. Je nach Witterungsbedingungen können solcherart vorbehandelte Samen später nach drei Wochen bis zu sechs Monaten zur Keimung kommen. Auch Säurebehandlung und Anschleifen der dicken Samenschale können die Keimfähigkeit steigern.

Verbreitung und Systematik

In seinem Verbreitungsgebiet weist er deutliche morphologische Unterschiede auf. Bis jetzt fehlt jedoch eine systematische Untersuchung, ob die Unterschiede in der Stammform sowie in Form und Größe der Blüten und Früchte auf die Zugehörigkeit der Einzelbäume zu unterschiedlichen Unterarten zurückzuführen sind.

Der Affenbrotbaum ist die charakteristische Baumart der trockenen Baumsavanne des afrikanischen Tieflands südlich der Sahara. Er fehlt dagegen in den zentralafrikanischen Regenwäldern. Sein natürliches Verbreitungsgebiet reicht von der Sahelzone bis in den Transvaal. Da der Baum frostempfindlich ist, ist die südliche Verbreitungslinie durch die Frostgrenze entlang des 15. Breitengrades bedingt. Häufige Begleitbäume in seinem Lebensraum sind Akazien, Schirmakazien und Tamarinden.
An den semiariden Lebensraum in einer Höhenlage von 450 bis 600 Metern mit jährlichen Niederschlagshöhen zwischen 300 und 500 Millimetern ist der sonnenliebende Baum durch seine besondere Fähigkeit zur Wasserspeicherung angepasst. Er ist deshalb in diesen Gebieten am häufigsten zu finden.

Während der Regenzeit, die in seinem Verbreitungsgebiet zwischen sechs Wochen und fünf Monaten andauert, saugt ein Baum, der ein Volumen von bis zu 200 Kubikmetern einnehmen kann, mit seinen schwammigen Fasern bis zu 140.000 Liter Wasser auf, die er für die Trockenzeit speichert. Der Stamm kann sich aufgrund der Wasserspeicherung während der Regenzeit um mehrere Zentimeter verdicken.

Affenbrotbäume sind darüber hinaus sowohl in Küstennähe als auch in Höhenlagen bis zu 1.500 Meter über NN zu finden. Das Vorkommen in den Küstenwäldern ist vermutlich auf Anpflanzungen zurückzuführen. Diese Verbreitungsgebiete zeichnen sich durch deutlich andere Niederschlagshöhen aus. Die Art kann über längere Zeit bei jährlichen Niederschlägen unter 100 Millimetern überdauern, Verhältnisse, wie sie zum Beispiel in Mauretanien herrschen. Andererseits kommt der Affenbrotbaum auch mit vergleichsweise hohen jährlichen Niederschlägen von 1400 Millimetern und mehr zurecht, insbesondere, wenn er auf gut wasserdurchlässigem Grund steht. Staunasse, schwere Lehmböden sowie temporäre Überschwemmungen toleriert der Baobab nicht. Beste Wachstumsvoraussetzungen findet er auf kalkhaltigen und tiefgründigen Böden.

Durch den Menschen wurde der Baobab in anderen Regionen eingeführt (sogenannte Hemerochorie). So ist sein Vorkommen in Arabien und in Indien vermutlich auf arabische Händler zurückzuführen, die den Baum in der Volksmedizin nutzten und ihn in Indien und Arabien bereits im 13. Jahrhundert einführten. Der Baum ist außerdem auf den Kapverdischen Inseln, auf Madagaskar und in Sri Lanka zu finden. Als Ziergehölz wird er gelegentlich in Florida, auf Haiti, den Philippinen und Java angepflanzt
Tiere seines Lebensraumes
Elefanten nutzen die Fähigkeit des Affenbrotbaumes zur Wasserspeicherung. Mit den Stoßzähnen brechen sie die Rinde des Affenbrotbaums auf, entfernen mit dem Rüssel die feuchten Fasern im Bauminnern und kauen diese, um so Feuchtigkeit zu gewinnen. Dabei entstehen große Hohlräume in den Bäumen, die dazu führen können, dass die Bäume kollabieren. Es sollen schon vereinzelt Elefanten von plötzlich zusammenstürzenden Affenbrotbäumen erschlagen worden sein
Große Elefantenpopulationsdichten in verschiedenen Nationalparks führten und führen zu einer Gefährdung der Bestände des Baobab, da dessen natürliche Sukzession nicht ausreicht, die Bestandsdichte zu erhalten. Insbesondere in den Nationalparks Simbabwes ist der Bestand an Elefanten mittlerweile so hoch, dass sie das langfristige Überleben der Affenbrotbaumbestände gefährden. In anderen Regionen, in denen auf Grund des Bevölkerungsdrucks die landwirtschaftliche Nutzung intensiviert wurde, fehlen dagegen Wildtiere, die die Samen der Affenbrotbäume verbreiten. Auch wenn man die Pflanzen, die nur sehr schwer zu roden sind, in der Regel stehen lässt, wenn Land einer landwirtschaftlichen Nutzung zugeführt wird, ist damit die natürliche Verjüngung der Bestände unterbunden.

Der Affenbrotbaum ist Wirtspflanze für eine Reihe von Insekten, die als landwirtschaftliche Schädlinge betrachtet werden, und Nebenwirt einiger, besonders für Kakao- und Baumwollpflanzungen problematischer Schadinsekten. Rodungen von Affenbrotbäumen haben jedoch gezeigt, dass diese Schädlinge auf andere Wirtspflanzen ausweichen, wenn Affenbrotbäume fehlen.
Große Elefantenpopulationsdichten in verschiedenen Nationalparks führten und führen zu einer Gefährdung der Bestände des Baobab, da dessen natürliche Sukzession nicht ausreicht, die Bestandsdichte zu erhalten. Insbesondere in den Nationalparks Simbabwes ist der Bestand an Elefanten mittlerweile so hoch, dass sie das langfristige Überleben der Affenbrotbaumbestände gefährden. In anderen Regionen, in denen auf Grund des Bevölkerungsdrucks die landwirtschaftliche Nutzung intensiviert wurde, fehlen dagegen Wildtiere, die die Samen der Affenbrotbäume verbreiten. Auch wenn man die Pflanzen, die nur sehr schwer zu roden sind, in der Regel stehen lässt, wenn Land einer landwirtschaftlichen Nutzung zugeführt wird, ist damit die natürliche Verjüngung der Bestände unterbunden.

Der Affenbrotbaum ist Wirtspflanze für eine Reihe von Insekten, die als landwirtschaftliche Schädlinge betrachtet werden, und Nebenwirt einiger, besonders für Kakao- und Baumwollpflanzungen problematischer Schadinsekten. Rodungen von Affenbrotbäumen haben jedoch gezeigt, dass diese Schädlinge auf andere Wirtspflanzen ausweichen, wenn Affenbrotbäume fehlen.
Der Affenbrotbaum bietet außerdem zahlreichen weiteren Tierarten Schutz und Nahrung. So nisten in der Krone der Affenbrotbäume beispielsweise Webervögel, Sperlingspapageien und Turmschwalben; Buschbabys suchen dort Schutz. Höhlen im Stamm und in den Ästen werden von Blauracken, Eisvögeln, Schleiereulen, Nashornvögeln und einer Reihe von Arten der Langflügelpapageien und Unzertrennlichen zum Brüten genutzt. In einzelnen Regionen brütete der Graukopfpapagei ausschließlich in Höhlen des Affenbrotbaums. Die Früchte des Baums werden neben Vögeln von Elefanten und Pavianen sowie Antilopen und einer Reihe von Kleinsäugern gefressen.
Verwendung
Die San, Bewohner der Kalahari-Wüste, zapfen direkt den Wasservorrat der Bäume an, um ihren Flüssigkeitsbedarf zu decken. Auch Fruchtfleisch, Samen, Rinde, Blätter und Sprösslinge des Affenbrotbaums sind vielseitig einsetzbar; die Höhlungen des Baumes werden außerdem als Speicher für Getreide und Wasser verwendet.

Ähnlich der Rolle, die früher Linden und Eichen im mitteleuropäischen Dorfleben inne hatten, spielt der Affenbrotbaum außerdem im afrikanischen Leben eine große Rolle. An zentral gelegenen Bäumen finden in vielen Dörfern Märkte, Verhandlungen und sonstige soziale Ereignisse statt.

Afrikanische Volksmedizin
In der afrikanischen Volksmedizin findet nahezu jeder Teil des Affenbrotbaums Verwendung. So werden die Früchte beispielsweise gegen Infektionen und Krankheiten wie Pocken und Masern eingesetzt. Die Blätter werden bei Erkrankungen wie Ruhr, Diarrhöe, Koliken und Magen-Darm-Entzündungen eingenommen. Die Samen finden Verwendung als Herzmittel, bei Zahnschmerzen, Leberinfektionen und Malaria-Erkrankungen
Nahrungsmittel
Das Fruchtfleisch ist reich an Vitamin C, B und Kalzium. Getrocknet wird es nach Entfernung der Samen und Fasern entweder unverarbeitet gegessen oder in Milch oder Breie gemischt. Es kann außerdem zu Bier vergoren werden. Aus den fettreichen Samen gewinnt man durch Pressen ein Öl, welches reich an Palmitinsäure ist und eine hohe oxidative Stabilität aufweist; in Pulverform dienen sie zum Andicken von Suppen. Die Samen werden auch geröstet gegessen oder fermentiert als Gewürz verwendet.

Die Blätter des Affenbrotbaums werden außerdem als Gemüse genutzt, indem sie wie Spinat zubereitet entweder frisch gegessen oder getrocknet und pulverisiert werden. 100 Gramm haben einen Energiewert von durchschnittlich 289 kJ (69 kcal) und enthalten unter anderem 3,8 Gramm Eiweiß sowie 50 Milligramm Ascorbinsäure. In Nigeria werden die Blätter als kuka bezeichnet. Kuka-Suppe ist eine für dieses Land typische Spezialität.

Weitere Verwendungsformen
Der Baum liefert darüber hinaus Material für Kleidung, zum Dachdecken, Halsschmuck, Schnüre und Seile, Netze, Matten, Hüte, Tabletts, Kisten, Körbe und Papier. Verwendet werden dafür die Fasern des inneren Bastes, die sehr dauerhaft und kräftig sind. Sie werden gewonnen, indem die Rinde der Bäume abgeschält wird. Ähnlich wie bei Korkeichen regeneriert sich die Rinde wieder, so dass die Bäume wiederholt als Bastlieferant genutzt werden können. Aus den Wurzeln wird ein roter Farbstoff gewonnen; der Pollen ergibt vermischt mit Wasser einen Klebstoff. Aufgrund des hohen Pottascheanteils wird aus der Asche verschiedener Baumteile außerdem Seife hergestellt.

Affenbrotbäume, die einen hohlen Stamm haben, sollen gelegentlich als Gefängnis oder Toilette verwendet werden; aus Westafrika wird berichtet, dass hohle Affenbrotbäume auch als Begräbnisstätte fungieren.

Forstwirtschaftlich wird der Affenbrotbaum dagegen nicht genutzt. Aufgrund seiner Elastizität ist das Holz nur schwer mit der Axt zu bearbeiten und verrottet sehr schnell.

Mythologie und Literatur
Aufgrund seines Aussehens ranken sich mehrere Legenden um den Affenbrotbaum.

Nach einer in Afrika weit verbreiteten Vorstellung riss der Teufel den Baum aus und steckte ihn anschließend mit den Zweigen zuerst in den Boden, so dass die Wurzeln nun in die Luft ragen. Einer anderen Erzählung zufolge wollte der Baum bei seiner Entstehung schöner als alle anderen Bäume werden. Als ihm dies jedoch nicht gelang, steckte er seinen Kopf in die Erde und das Wurzelwerk ragte gegen den Himmel. Aus dem Reich der Schöpfungsmythologie erschließt sich uns eine weitere Erklärung: Als am Anbeginn der Welt die Hyäne beim ersten Blick ins spiegelnde Wasser ihre eigene Hässlichkeit erkannte, war sie darüber sehr erzürnt. Sie riss einen Baobab aus und schleuderte ihn gen Himmel, um ihren Schöpfer zu treffen, der ihr dies angetan hatte. Der Baum jedoch verfehlte sein Ziel, stürzte zurück zur Erde, blieb dort umgekehrt im Boden stecken und wächst seither mit den Wurzeln nach oben.

Als Sitz von Göttern und Geistern spielt er außerdem in einer Reihe weiterer afrikanischer Legenden und Sagen eine Rolle.

In der modernen westafrikanischen Literatur steht der Baobab häufig als ein Symbol des traditionellen afrikanischen Lebens und der unberührten, ewigen Natur. Orte mit “heiligen” Baobabs werden oftmals als Sinnbild des Garten Eden verwendet.

Auch in die europäische Kinderliteratur hat der Baum Eingang gefunden. In Antoine de Saint-Exupérys Geschichte Der Kleine Prinz sorgt sich dieser, dass Baobabs seinen kleinen Asteroiden überwuchern und mit ihrem Wurzelwerk sprengen könnten: „Die Affenbrotbäume beginnen damit klein zu sein, bevor sie groß werden.“

Auch in der modernen deutschsprachigen Lyrik ist der Affenbrotbaum gelegentlich als Sujet anzutreffen (so z. B. bei Paul Celan). Hans Magnus Enzensberger benutzt den Affenbrotbaum als Bild für das Neuronale Netz.

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikanischer_Affenbrotbaum

abaobab.com the baobab website

Tags: Afrikanischer Affenbrotbaum, Biobaobabfruchtfleisch

Baobab-Africa

BAOBAB: Si queremos descubrir uno de los árboles más curiosos del planeta, no podemos dejar de echar un vistazo al baobab o adansonia. Procedente de África, no destaca por la belleza de su follaje ni por la vistosidad y aroma de sus flores y frutos; más bien, carece de todo esto, y ahí radica su encanto. Con un aspecto casi prehistórico, aunque no alcanza las dimensiones de una secuoya gigante, lo cierto es que a su lado, cualquiera se siente pequeño.

Baobab Africa árboles más curiosos del planeta

El baobab es una especie muy útil para los pueblos africanos. Da un fruto llamado pan de mono, del tamaño de un pequeño melón (Dcha.) que contiene gran cantidad de vitamina C, se emplea para preparar varias bebidas refrescantes. De la corteza del baobab se extrae una fibra con la que se fabrican cuerdas y cestos. Las hojas hervidas sirven como alimento, e incluso el polen mojado se emplea como pegamento.
A parte de todos estos usos que tiene este árbol, el baobab tiene una especial magia que sentimos cuando lo vemos. Creo que esa magia, es la energía de todas las personas que han estado al lado de él, y que se han contagiado de su majestuosidad.

fruit-baobab-pulp-organic-pulpa-fruto-fruktkjøtt-열매는-과육의-мякоть-плодов-баобаба-fruta-baobab-pulpa-giay-bao-bap-polpa-バオバブの-frutto-baobab-Fruchtfleisch-fruktkjøtt-的猴面包果肉-لب فاكهة من الباوباب

Tags: árbol Baobab

Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the south eastern coast of Africa. The main island also called Madagascar which is the fourth largest island in the world and is home to five percent of the worlds plant and animal species. Most notable are the lemur of primates, the carnivorous fosse, three endemic bird families and six endemic baobab species.

Despite its location close to the African continent, the first human settlers of Madagascar appear to have come from Asia, rather than Africa. The culture shows the influence of both Africa and Asia.

The Malagasy language is of Malaya Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. English, although still rare, is becoming more widely spoken. Indians in Madagascar descend mostly from traders who arrived in the newly independent nation looking for better opportunities. The majority of them came from the west coast of India known as Muslim and Hindu. The majority speak Hindi or Gujarati, and though some other Indian dialects also exist a large number of the Indians in Madagascar have a high level of education, particularly the younger generation, which attempts to contribute their knowledge to the development of Madagascar.

Madagascar has got several microclimates due to the variation of the altitudes and its regional ecosystems. The seasons are mainly divided into two main periods. The rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. The length of each period varies from one region to another one.

A holiday in Madagascar is unique, with its rich flora and fauna of such amazing variety and diversity that can be found nowhere else on earth. The warm and friendly people of Madagascar are African and Asian, proud to be from such a racially diverse, culturally rich country.

Madagascar gives rise to its astonishing biological diversity and remarkable scenery. Its of coastline is made up of mangrove reserves, stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, uninhabited land and coral reef. Madagascar has indeed been geographically blessed.

Madagascar is often referred to as the eighth continent, made up of endemic flora, fauna and wildlife species. It is most famous for its 50 species of lemurs these bright eyed mammals are often seen along with geckoes and chameleons.

Whale watching season is from July to September when humpback whales come into the St Marie channel to mate and give birth. Take part in the observation and preservation of humpback whales in the Indian Ocean.

It is incredibly unspoilt and offers adventure, beautiful beaches and deserts.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Tags: Baobab pulp Fruit Powder, Fruit pulp, Madagascar, organic

The Baobab Tree of Penang is believed to be the oldest planted tree in Malaysia, and one of the most unusual-looking trees in Penang. There are plenty of heritage trees in Penang, but the Baobab is a grand dame in a class of its own. It stands on the traffic island between Jalan Residensi and Jalan Macalister, in its own picket-fence compound. Although it appears very elderly and frail, and even require crutches to stay up, all effort is taken to keep it standing.

There is a Penang belief that the baobab tree brings luck to the island, and must be kept standing by all means, or else calamity will fall on Penang. A more colourful twist to the belief states that Penang is actually floating in the sea and the Baobab tree, with its upside-down looking trunk, actually acts as a stopper. If it is somehow uprooted, water will gush out of the hole and the whole island will sink.

A native of the semi-arid part of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) was planted in 1871 (making it older than the Rubber Tree of Kuala Kangsar) by Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy (better known simply as Captain Speedy), the English explorer who was hired by Perak Mentri Ngah Ibrahim to quell the restive situation in Larut.

The baobab produces green buds in spring. The buds looking like hanging tennis balls. These buds open into fragrant white flower. The oblong fruits are not pretty. They are dark brown and wizened, looking somewhat like dead rats.

It is recently (18 July 2007) reported that the Lions Club of Penang has put aside RM15,000 to beautify the traffic island where the Baobab tree stands, to turn it into a green garden. They are getting assistance from the Lion Clubs in Taiwan, Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand and Singapore for this project, and when completed, the Penang Municipal Council will take over the maintenance.

Tags: Malaysia

Baomix, die Kraft des Baobas, Bio baobab fruchtfleisch.

Die natürlichen antioxydantischen Eigenschaften des Baomix spielen eine wesentliche Rolle im Kampf gegen die freien Radikalen, die für die vorzeitige Alterung der Zellen verantwortlich sind: eine Waffe, um gegen Stress und vorübergehende Müdigkeit anzukämpfen.

Die im Baomix Bio enthaltenten Antioxydanten sind die wirksamstenden in der hydrophylen Klasse.

Baomix, die Kraft des Baobas, Bio baobab fruchtfleisch.

Sie wirken bei mehreren wesentlichen Stoffwechselprozessen mit:

- Kollagenproduktion

-Hormon-(Steroïden), Bindegewebe- und Nervenbindungenbiosynthese.

Die in Baomix Bio natürlich enthaldende Zitronensäure erhöht die Aufnahme und die Bioverfügbarkeit des Calciums und Eisens.

Baomix Bio wird besonders allen Personen empfohlen, die eine gute Vitalität wieder finden  und/oder erhalten wollen: Senioren, Kinder in der Wachstumsphase, Studenten, Sportler…

Gut ausgewogene Zusatznahrung, die nicht als Ersatz einer ausgeglichenen Ernährung zu verwenden ist.

Das süsse und säuerliche Fruchtfleich des Baobabs enthält Vitamin B1, und B2 unabkömmlich für eine  gute Regeneration der Hautstammzellen sowie Vitamin Pp und B3 wirksam bei der Steuerung der zahlreichen Funktionen des Stoffwechsels.

Ausserdem enthält Baomix Bio zahlreiche Mineralien wie Calcium, Eisen, Magnesium, Mangan, Phosphor, Zink sowie essentielle Fettsäuren.

2 Teelöffel Baomix Bio enthalten 44% Balaststoffe davon 22% löslich und 22% unlöslich.

Die natürlichen, löslichen Balaststoffe wirken ausgleichend und stärkend auf die Darmflora und ermöglichen eine regelmässige Verdauung.

Ausgezeichnetes Nahrungsergänzungsmittel für Sportler:

100g Baomix Bio enthalten 7 mal mehr Vitamin C als Orangen (300mg) und 3 mal mehr Calcium als Milch (295mg).

Einnahmempfehlung:

2 Teelöffel des Fruchtpulvers in einem Glass Wasser, Saft, Milch oder Joghurt, ein bis zweimal pro Tag auflösen.

Entdecken Sie ein tonisches Frühstück indem Sie Ihrem KaKao /(32%Kakao min.) 2 Teelöffel beifügen.

Zusammensetzung:

100% biologisches Fruchtfkeisch des Andasonia Digitat (Baobab)

Völlig natürlich, Glutenfrei.

Kühl und trocken aufbewahren

Zusammensetzung: – 75,6% Kohlenhydrat

- 2,3%  Eiweiss

- 0,27% Fett

- 300mg Vitamin C

Ursprungsort Senegal: produziert von BFCS

Verteil durch: AGOJI company

www.baomix.com

Tags: Antioxidanten, Biobaobabfruchtfleisch

Desde la antigüedad se utiliza el Baobab para usos cosméticos. Las proteínas, las vitaminas y minerales que se encuentran en la pulpa, en las hojas y en la semilla constituyen un óptimo nutrimento para la epidermis, el cabello y las uñas.

En la pulpa encontramos:

Vitamina A, de efecto alisador y ablandante, útil para el mantenimiento de la integridad celular.

Vitamina B1/B2, que favorecen la síntesis de la melanina.

Vitamina B6 (piridoxina),  regulariza las secreciones del sebo de la piel.

Vitamina B4, de efecto termoactivo sobre la piel y sobre el cuero cabelludo, debido a la estimulación de la circulación sanguínea.

Vitamina C, que desarrolla desde el lado biológico una ayuda en la síntesis del colágeno.

Vitamina E, que combate la formación de los radicales libres.

Vitamina F (Ácidos grasos polinsaturados), que asegura una óptima hidratación y protección de los tejidos.

Gracias a sus componentes vitamínicos y sus ácidos orgánicos (Ramnoso, Málico y Tartárico) completamente naturales, la pulpa puede retardan el envejecimiento cutáneo manteniendo la piel elástica y brillante. Puede ser aplicada como mascarilla facial o bien en cremas.

Las hojas del baobab

Naturalmente emolientes, ricas en minerales, permiten a la piel de alimentarse y regenerarse rápidamente; además actúan como antibacteriano natural, limpian en profundidad dejando una sensación de frescura, retrasando el envejecimiento de la piel. En los antiguos pueblos africanos, los niños y los adultos eran sumergidos en una infusión de hoja de baobab para aliviar las picaduras de insectos, llagas y otras inflamaciones cutáneas.

La semilla

Representa una parte importante en la composición del fruto (cerca del 40%). Está formado por un sutil epicarpio (externo) con un endocarpio (interno) blanco y aceitoso. La semilla contiene: Alfa y Beta Caroteno, Ácidos Grasos (Palmítico, esteárico y oleico), Aminoácidos, Taninos, Tiamina y Riboflavina.

Este aceite (extracto lipolico) obtenido MOLIENDO EL NÚCLEO DE LA SEMILLA en el interior de un soporte aceitoso (Helianthus annuus) se acerca al método utilizado hace siglos en los pueblos africanos. El cataplasma que ellos obtienen exprimiendo la semilla es aplicado sobre quemaduras, abrasiones o hematomas (para aliviar el dolor), en casos de descamación de la piel  y mejora la cicatrización de la piel. Su utilización como cosmético es una valiosa ayuda para devolver a la epidermis de la cara y cuerpo su elasticidad y esplendor.

El extracto lipolico de la semilla, rico en saponinas, representa un extraordinario nutrimento a la epidermis. Su uso diario ayuda a contrastar el paso del tiempo y a descubrir una piel tónica e hidratada. Además la novedosa técnica de extracción a Ultrasonidos a bajas temperaturas por medio del aceite de girasol, permite la extracción de TODOS LOS PRINCIPIOS ACTIVOS contenidos en el INTERIOR DE LA SEMILLA DE BAOBAB. Es ideal para el tratamiento de la piel seca, predispuesta a la formación de arrugas, dejando sobre la epidermis solamente un ligero velo, no untuoso, y una discreta luminosidad.

Tags: árbol Baobab, Fruto del Baobab

El Baobab es un árbol gigantesco de flores efímeras y frutos carnosos, de forma variable, con una cáscara peluda. « Los baobabs son distintos de cualquier otro árbol y parecen plantados al revés». Más allá de las curiosidades, los Baobabs están en el origen de numerosos mitos y leyendas, arraigadas en la memoria de África. Uno de ellos señala que en los primeros días del mundo los dioses repartieron semillas entre todos los animales para que las plantaran; las del baobab se la dieron a la hiena, ésta un poco torpe, y enojada por haberlas recibido en último lugar, decidió plantarlas al revés, lo que explicaría la extraña impresión que producen los Baobabs, como si sus raíces estuvieran en el aire.
El Baobab, llamado también “árbol botella” o “árbol farmacia”, pertenece a la familia de las Bombacaceae, familia que consta de 150 especies, casi todas arbóreas y propias de las regiones tropicales, con frutos generalmente muy grandes, como el Durión, Durio zibethinus o el Zapote, Matisia cordata. El Baobab crece en África Central y es especie nativa de las regiones semiáridas del África Sub-Sahariana. Su altura algunas veces sobrepasa los 30 metros, pero su tronco puede superar los 20 de diámetro, y pueden vivir normalmente más tres mil años, hasta un máximo de seis. El Baobab puede almacenar desde 6.000 hasta 100.000 litros de agua, ya que la corteza es esponjosa y tiene muchas cavidades huecas. Desde la antigüedad este árbol era utilizado para el consumo de la población local y sus frutos y hojas eran conocidos por sus propiedades.

Existen ocho especies de Baobabs, seis de las cuales se encuentran en Madagascar:

ADANSONIA DIGITATA
Localización: Es la especie más numerosa y conocida de los Baobabs, y se encuentra en casi todos los países del África subsahariana. Puede alcanzar los 30 metros de altura y hasta 20 de diámetro en la parte más ancha del tronco. Su corteza es gris y lisa.

Tronco y hojas: El árbol adulto tiene un tronco muy fuerte y agazapado, muchas veces hueco (se han hecho hasta pequeñas casas en su interior). Las hojas se desarrollan en la temporada de las lluvias (de mayo a noviembre).

Flores: Las flores del baobab son grandes, blancas, con cinco pétalos. Es una flor de una noche, que se abre en el crepúsculo y marchita en el transcurso del día. La polinización está garantizada generalmente por los murciélagos e insectos alimentándose del abundante néctar azucarado.

Período de floración: de Mayo hasta Agosto.

Frutos: Los frutos tienen formas variables según las especies de Baobabs, entre esféricas ovoides, y alargadas elipsoidales.

ADANSONIA GRANDIDIERI
Localización: Es la especie típica del Madagascar. Se encuentra en Morondava y Morombe, en el oeste de la isla, y por muchos considerado el más bonito de la especie.  Tiene una corteza de color gris rojizo.

Puede alcanzar los 25 metros de altura y el tronco (cilíndrico) unos cuatro de diámetro.
Flores: Son blancas y con el tiempo se vuelven amarillas. Sus frutos son redondos y rojizos.

ADANSONIA GIBBOSA O GREGORII.
Localización: Especie nativa del norte y noroeste de Australia. De todas las especies de Baobab es la más pequeña, no suele sobrepasar los 10 metros de altura.
De su base crecen varios troncos de distinto grosor con  una corteza gris y lisa.
Flores: Sus flores son blancas o de color crema. Los frutos tienen forma de bola.
ADANSONIA  ZA
Localización: Se encuentra en el noroeste, oeste y sur de Madagascar. Es una de las especies más comunes. Su altura va de los 5 a 30 metros con una corteza de color gris.
Flores: Sus flores son amarillas y sus frutos son de forma ovoidal, con un color oscuro casi negro.

ADANSONIA  SUAREZENSIS.

Localización: Su diminuta población se encuentra en Antsiranana (norte de Madagascar). Su altura alcanza los 25 metros con un tronco de dos metros de diámetro. Flores: Sus flores son blancas. Tiene una copa plana, donde sus ramas crecen horizontalmente casi de forma paralela con el suelo. Sus frutos son muy irregulares  (largos) y sus semillas son las más grandes de las demás especies (hay unas 450 semillas por Kg de pulpa en lugar que 1000).

ADANSONIA  RUBROSTIPA.
Localización: Es una de las especies más pequeñas de Madagascar con una altura media de 5 metros, pero algunos ejemplares alcanzan los 20 metros.

Su tronco se asimila a una botella y su corteza con la edad es de color marrón rojiza y en los ejemplares jóvenes es gris.
Flores: Sus flores son anaranjadas. Sus frutos son redondos y de color rojo denso.

ADANSONIA  PERRIERI.
Localización: La encontramos solamente en la región de Antsiranana, al norte de Madagascar. Es la especie más extraña y en peligro de extinción. Puede alcanzar una altura de 30 metros, tiene un tronco irregular con unas delgadas ramas que crecen formando ángulos de 45º.

Flores: Sus flores son de color amarillo pálido y sus frutos son grandes midiendo hasta 30 cm.

ADANSONIA  MADAGASCARENSIS.
Localización: Crece en la región de Mahajanga, noroeste de Madagascar. Su altura varía entre los 5 y 20 metros. Tiene un tronco con forma de cilindro o en forma de botella, su corteza es lisa, de color gris claro y una copa muy irregular.
Flores: Sus flores son de color rojo oscuro y sus frutos pequeños (más o menos redondos) de color marrón.

Los Baobabs crecen sobretodo en suelos arenosos y calcareos, prefieren un clima muy cálido, son muy resistentes a la sequía y también a los fuertes vientos. Podemos encontrar Baobabs en Senegal, en Gabon, en la Republica Central Africana, en Zaire, en Nigeria, en Mali, Ghana, Togo, Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenia, Tanzania, Mozambico, Angola y Madagascar.

La presencia de Baobabs fuera del Continente Africano es debido a los navegantes y viajeros árabes, franceses o portugeses que exportaban los frutos, es por esto que hoy podemos encontrar estos árboles en Arabia, Australia, Centro America (Cuba y Haiti), Florida, Nueva Zelanda, Filipinas, Antillas y, también Europa (Alicante, España).

EL FRUTO
El fruto del Baobab mide desde 10 cm hasta 45 cm. Tiene forma irregular, aovada, y está constituido por una parte externa leñosa, muy resistente, cubierta de una pelusa amarillo-verde; en el interior se encuentra una pulpa deshidratada, con aspecto polvoriento, de color blanquecino y de sabor ligeramente ácido. La pulpa se divide en pequeñas aglomeraciones harinosas que encierran múltiples semillas.

En Africa la población obtiene mezclando este polvo con agua, un zumo, llamado también leche de Baobab, gubdi o buoy, que tiene más  proteínas, calcio y  hierro que la leche humana, y por esto es utilizado como alimento infantil. Es muy rico también en vitamina C y provitamina A.

LA HOJA
Las hojas del Baobab pueden ser simples o digitadas, es decir, como los dedos de una mano, y miden unos 10-15 cm. Se encuentran al final de las ramas o también a nivel del tronco. Las hojas representan una fuente nutricional muy importante, sobre todo en aquellos ambientes áridos y pobres en vegetación. Las hojas de baobab en la tradición alimenticia africana se consumen crudas o hervidas, también si la forma más común de aprovecharlas es disecándolas y moliéndolas hasta obtener un polvo (en Senegal se llama Lalo).

Las hojas del Baobab son ricas en vitaminas, minerales y aminoácidos, también si los valores son muy variables según las zonas y las condiciones climáticas. En las hojas encontramos una alta concentración de calcio (260-402 mg/100 gr) y de fósforo (57,5-67 mg/100gr). Es rica en vitamina C, pero también encontramos otras vitaminas, como las del grupo B, especialmente la B3 (niacina).

Del punto de vista nutricional, la hoja puede ser considerada una fuente rica en proteínas, sobretodo en aquellos lugares en que hay escacez de recursos nutricionales. Se considera un suplemento nutritivo en la dieta rico en cereales, como el mijo, tanto para las poblaciones indígenas como para los animales.

En cuanto al contenido de minerales en la hoja encontramos calcio, hierro, potasio, magnesio, manganeso, molibdeno, fósforo y zinc. Esto indica en términos de calidad y cantidad un buen aporte de elementos inorgánicos. En Africa se emplean, una vez secadas y molidas, para ligar el cous-cous de mijo.

LA SEMILLA
La semilla representa una parte muy importante del fruto, ya que costituye alrededor del 40% de su peso. Mide unos 4-5 mm y se compone de una sutil piel externa de color café, el endocarpio, y un núcleo, blanco y rico en acidos grasos y proteínas (alrededor de 35 g. por 100 gramos de producto).

Es rica sobretodo en Lisina, Cisteina, Arginina, Tiamina, Riboflavina, Niacina, y en minerales como Calcio, Hierro y Potasio.

En Africa, desde siglos, se extrae un aceite para uso alimenticio y cosmético, como cicatrizante y para hidratar la piel, mientras que tostadas reemplazarían al café.

sources : www.elfrutodelbaobab.com

Tags: árbol Baobab, Baobab health benefits, Fruto del Baobab

El fruto del Baobab tiene forma aovada, es muy irregular en su forma, puede medir  de 10 cm hasta 45 cm. Es constituido por una parte  leñosa externa, muy resistente, cubierta de una pelusa amarillo-verde, y de una parte interna, que constituye  la pulpa. Una vez que el fruto está maduro, cae del árbol y al abrirlo encontramos la  pulpa deshidratada, con un aspecto polvoriento, de color blanquecino y de sabor ligeramente ácido.

Un fruto de tamaño medio (17 cm de largo por 8 cm de ancho) pesa alrededor de 165 gramos, de los cuales un 40% es representado por semilla y solo un 10-12% de pulpa. Ésta se divide en pequeñas aglomeraciones harinosas que encierran múltiples semillas (ver imagen a la derecha).
El sabor característico de la pulpa, un poco ácido, es debido a la presencia de ácidos orgánicos, tales como: ácido cítrico, tartárico, málico y succínico. Desde siglos se utiliza en muchos países africanos para preparar una bebida (zumo de bouy o gouy) refrescante y energética, rica en fibra, vitaminas, aminoácidos y sales minerales. También se utiliza para preparar helados, batidos o como alimento infantil. En 100 gr. de pulpa están presentes el 75,6% de los glúcidos totales, el 2,3% de proteínas y un bajísimo contenido de lípidos igual al 0,27%. El fruto recién abierto, es consumido también como un caramelo.
Fibra alimenticia de la pulpa del fruto de Baobab
La pulpa del fruto de Baobab provee una cantidad de fibras solubles (22.54%) e insolubles (22.04%), que pueden llegar hasta cerca de
45 gramos por 100g. de producto. El nivel de consumo de fibra alimenticia no se ha definido todavía, pero es  comúnmente aceptado que la fibra debe estar presente en una dieta sana y equilibrada, porque tiene la capacidad de influenciar múltiples aspectos de la fisiología digestiva. El consumo frecuente de fibra alimenticia, asociado a una dieta rica en vegetales, cereales y fruta, está relacionado con la reducción del riesgo de sobrepeso, diabetes y la manifestación de neoplasias del aparato digestivo, como estreñimiento.

Las fibras insolubles no son asimiladas por el intestino y aceleran el tránsito intestinal gracias a la capacidad de aumentar la masa fecal y estimular la perístole; son empleadas principalmente para combatir el estreñimiento e inducir a una sensación de saciedad, que se puede disfrutar en un régimen de dieta hipocalórica.

Además el equilibrio entre fibra soluble e insoluble, parece estimular el crecimiento de  algunas culturas bacterianas pertenecientes a la microflora intestinal (efecto prebiótico). Se sabe que la actividad prebiótica determina:

·        Mejoramiento del equilibrio de la microflora intestinal;

·        Mejoramiento de la digestión de la lactosa;

·        Prevención de la diarrea ;

·        Actividad inmunoestimulante.
El fruto de Baobab tiene además un elevado contenido de ácido ascórbico (vit. C). Se ha determinado que la pulpa puede proveer hasta 300 mg de vitamina C cada 100 gr., cantidad que equivale a casi seis veces más el contenido de la naranja. El ácido ascórbico desarrolla un rol extremadamente importante tanto del punto de vista nutricional como terapéutico. Conocido desde tiempos antiguos por su capacidad de prevenir el escorbuto, la vitamina C encuentra un uso siempre más relevante por su capacidad antioxidante, y por la capacidad de proteger el organismo por daños causados por los radicales libres.

El fruto contiene una cantidad apreciable de aminoácidos esenciales en correcta secuencia, muy útiles para los deportistas o para las personas que quieren sentirse bién, ya unidos naturalmente, tales como:

·        tiamina (B1)

·        riboflavina (B2)

·        niacina (B3)

Además, el fruto contribuye al aporte de algunos minerales y ácidos grasos esenciales. En efecto, en 100gr de pulpa están contenidos de media 293 mg de calcio (3 veces más que la leche), 2.31 mg de potasio, 96-118 mg de fósforo, 7 mg de hierro (3 veces más que el huevo) y ácido alfa-linoleico (27 mg de ácido por cada gramo de producto seco).

Valores y propiedades nutricionales del fruto del Baobab por 100 g. de pulpa:

Energía 131 Kcal   555 KJ

Proteínas 5,3 g

Hidrato de Carbono 30 g.

De los cuales:

Glucosa 8.47mg

Fructosa 17.93mg

Sacarosa 10.71mg

Maltosa N.D.

Polisacáridos 10.21mg

Almidón 48.10mg

Grasas 0,15 g.

Fibra Alimentaria 44 g.

Sodio 0,002 g.

Betacarotenos 200 mcg

Vit. C 300 mg.

Vit. B1 0,48 mg.

Vit. B2 0,28 mg.

Vit. B3 3 mg.

Vit. B6 2 mg

Calcio 293-300mg

Fósforo 96-210mg.

Hierro 7mg

Potasio 2.31mg

Sodio 1.86mg

Magnesio 0.10mg

Zinc 0.064mg

Manganeso 2.07mg

Valores medios de los aminoácidos por100g de proteínas

Prolina 2.35g

Histidina 2.71g

Leucina 8.41mg

Lisina 14.62g

Arginina 6.04g

Izo leucina 10.73g

Metionina 4.92g

Cisteina 11.23g

Ácido glutámico 4.02g

Valina 1.62g

Tiroxina 4.21g

Triptofano 1.49g

Treonina 2.96g
sources : www.elfrutodelbaobab.com

Tags: árbol Baobab, Baobab health benefits, Fruto del Baobab

BAOBAB FRUIT PULP PERFECT FOR HEALTHY SNACKS

We are constantly subjected to media reports detailing the detrimental effects of obesity, poor nutrition, and disease on people across the globe. Can something as simple as changing your diet help to provide a solution?

Eating the right foods has been recommended for years as a course of action to correct many health problems. The pulp of the baobab fruit, sometimes referred to as a superfruit, contains many nutritious properties that are helpful to the human body. Combined with a sweet and tangy taste, the result is an ingredient that can add some zing to your food and some energy to your body.
Baobab nutritional information

According to PhytoTrade Africa, baobab fruit pulp has the following characteristics:

-High natural Vitamin C content (at least 150mg/100g).
-Strong antioxidant properties: Integral Antioxidant Capacity (IAC) – 11.1 mmol/g. This value is significantly higher than that of an orange pulp (IAC = 0.103 mmol/g), and grape seed Oligomers (IAC = 10.25 mmol/g).
-A natural source of minerals including Calcium (293 mg/100g), Phosphorus (96-118 mg/100g), Iron (7-8.6 mg/100g) and Potassium (2.31 mg/100g).
-Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and Vitamin B3 (niacin).
-High levels of pectin (23%), making it a useful binding and thickening agent.
-Gelling and viscosity modification.
-Soluble and insoluble dietary fibres with prebiotic effects.
-The acidulous taste is attributed to the presence of organic acids, such as citric acid, malic acid and succinic acid.

Uses for baobab fruit pulp

PhytoTrade Africa has done quite a bit of work to develop and lobby for the baobab fruit industry. Some recommendations from them for using baobab fruit pulp include its use in product formulation to provide nutritional fortification, flavor enhancement, viscosity and texture modification, and as a source of dietary fiber and nutrients.

Additional potential lies in using baobab fruit pulp in the following applications:

-Soft drinks and beverages
-Snack bars, breakfast cereals, biscuits and snacks
-Natural fruit smoothies
-Health supplements; botanical extracts including antioxidants
-Fruit fillings, jams, sauces, puddings and desserts
-Baking products
-Various active cosmetic uses, including antioxidants for anti-aging, skin tightening, moisturizers, and hair and nail strengthening products

Tags: Cooking Baobab's fruit

Check out this video which provides a how-to on mixing a refreshing baobab drink.

Learn to mix a baobab drink!

Tags: Video's Baobab

Baobab (Adansonia, L. 1758) sono un genere di piante appartenente alla famiglia delle Bombacaceae (o Malvaceae secondo la classificazione APG) e comprendente otto specie: una diffusa in Africa, una in Australia, e sei endemiche del Madagascar.

Il nome “baobab” verrebbe, secondo alcune fonti, dal senegalese “albero di mille anni” (riferito alla leggendaria longevità della piante); secondo altri, sarebbe di derivazione araba, e significherebbe “frutto dai molti grani”. Il nome scientifico è un omaggio a Michel Adanson, il naturalista ed esploratore francese che descrisse il baobab africano (Adansonia digitata).

Baobab africano senegales Madagascar, Baomix Polpa del frutto

Specie

Le otto specie del genere Adansonia vengono comunemente suddivise, in base alle differenze morfologiche del fiore (morfologia del germoglio florale, orientamento del fiore e lunghezza del tubulo staminale), in tre sezioni:

* Sezione Adansonia
o Adansonia digitata – baobab africano
* Sezione Brevitubae
o Adansonia grandidieri – baobab di Grandidier
o Adansonia suarezensis
* Sezione Longitubae
o Adansonia gregorii (sin. A. gibbosa) – baobab australiano
o Adansonia madagascariensis – baobab del Madagascar
o Adansonia perrieri – baobab di Perrier
o Adansonia rubrostipa (sin. A. fony)
o Adansonia za

Morfologia

Sono alberi caducifogli con grandi tronchi, che raggiungono altezze tra i 5 e i 25 m (eccezionalmente 30 m); il diametro del tronco può raggiungere i 7 m (eccezionalmente 11 m). Sono famosi per la loro capacità d’immagazzinamento d’acqua all’interno del tronco rigonfio, che riesce a contenere fino 120.000 litri d’acqua per resistere alle dure condizioni di siccità di alcune regioni. I rami, disposti a raggiera alla sommità dei tronchi, sono del tutto spogli durante la stagione secca. La chioma si riempie, per pochi mesi all’anno, di foglie composte palmate. Nell’epoca, temporalmente molto limitata, della fioritura esibiscono grandi fiori molto odorosi, che si schiudono la notte. Producono frutti ovoidali con un pericarpo commestibile e un grosso seme reniforme.

Impollinazione

Le specie del genere Adansonia hanno una impollinazione zoocora, cioè legata alla azione di diverse specie animali.
La impollinazione di A. digitata è mediata da alcune specie di pipistrelli, analogamente alle due specie della sezione Brevitubae, alla cui impollinazione contribuiscono anche alcune specie di lemuri notturni. Le cinque specie della sezione Longitubae invece sono usualmente impollinate da farfalle notturne della famiglia Sphingidae.

Diffusione e habitat

Sei delle otto specie note (A. grandidieri, A. madagascariensis, A. suarezensis, A. perrieri, A. rubrostipa e A. za) sono endemiche del Madagascar.

A. digitata è ampiamente diffusa in Africa continentale mentre l’unica specie non africana è A. gregorii, endemica dell’Australia nord-occidentale.

Analisi cladistiche hanno mostrato che la differenziazione tra le specie africane e quella australiana è avvenuta molto tempo dopo la frammentazione del supercontinente Gondwana e pertanto deve essere intervenuto un meccanismo di dispersione ad opera delle correnti marine.

Usi

* Le foglie sono usate come vegetale commestibile in tutte le aree di distribuzione del continente africano, compresi il Malawi, lo Zimbabwe e il Sahel. Sono mangiate sia fresche che sotto forma di polvere secca. In Nigeria, le foglie sono localmente note come kuka, e sono usate per produrre la zuppa di kuka.

* La polpa secca del frutto, dopo la separazione tra i semi e le fibre, viene direttamente mangiata o mescolata nel porridge o nel latte.

* I semi sono usati principalmente come addensante per le zuppe, ma possono anche essere fermentati in condimenti, arrostiti per un consumo diretto, o tritati per estrarre olio vegetale. L’albero è anche una fonte di fibre, tinture e carburante.

* Il boab (ovvero la specie australiana Adansonia gregorii) era usato dagli australiani aborigeni come fonte di acqua e cibo, mentre le foglie erano utilizzate per scopi medici. I frutti venivano scolpiti e dipinti, per poi essere usati come ornamenti. Un boab molto grande e vuoto a sud di Derby, nell’Australia Occidentale, fu usato negli anni ’90 come camera di sicurezza per i prigionieri aborigeni diretti a Derby per la loro sentenza; questo “albero-prigione” esiste ancora ed è una meta turistica.

Curiosità

* Il baobab è l’albero nazionale del Madagascar.
* Ne Il Piccolo Principe di Antoine de Saint-Exupéry il protagonista è preoccupato dal fatto che i baobab crescendo possano occupare tutto lo spazio del suo asteroide.
* Rafiki, personaggio del film di animazione Il re leone, ha la sua casa dentro un albero di baobab.
* Baobab è il titolo di una serie dell’autore di fumetti Igort.

Tags: Baobab health benefits, Video's Baobab

Baobob Tree

Tags: Video's Baobab