Many underutilized tree species are good sources of food, fodder and possible therapeutic agents. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is popularly known as “desert date”, reflecting its edible fruits. This tree grows naturally in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Local inhabitants use fruits, leaves, roots, stem and root bark of the species for the treatment of various ailments. Several research studies demonstrate that extracts and phytochemicals isolated from desert date display antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and molluscicidal activities. Mesocarp of fruits, seeds, leaves, stem and root bark are rich sources of saponins. These tissues are also rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids and polysterols. Some constituents show antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic properties. The objective of this review is to summarize studies on diverse bioactive compounds and the beneficial properties of B. aegyptiaca.
The seed kernel of Balanites roxburghii Planch., an underutilized species, yields a substantial amount of oil and has an impressive fatty acid profile. Both seed cake and seed oil have the potential to be rich nutritive sources. With this view, in the present study, nutritive profiling of seed kernel and seed oil including HPLC quantification of tocopherols and phytosterols has been done. Further, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of seed kernel and oil have also been analyzed. The seed kernel showed good proximate composition with 43.20% of oil and 10.96% of protein with a good amount of macro- and microelements. The seed oil possesses 5.36 mg/kg of carotenoids and 7.29, 1.79, and 0.72 mg/100 g of α, β + γ (together), and δ-tocopherols, respectively. The β-Sitosterol is the major phytosterol in the oil with 126.90 mg/100 g oil followed by stigmasterol and campesterol together (40.78 mg/100 g oil). It is also rich in squalene (17.45 mg/100 g oil). Oleic acid (56.38%), linoleic acid (18.77%), and palmitic acid (17.79%) were found to be the major fatty acids. Seed cake and seed oil possess significant antioxidant activities with 2.72 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 8.90 mg GAE/100 g total phenolic content, respectively. Even though seed kernels contain some amount of anti-nutritional factors, they can be minimized by practicing appropriate food processing techniques. Considering all these facts, such as availability, good quality oil, proteins, and elemental composition, seeds of B. roxburghii could be considered a reliable food source to increase the food base of people and to get a variety of nutrients.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.