Sustainable Nipa Palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) Product Utilization in Thailand

Abstract

Nipa palms, a plant species in mangrove forest, are valuable and beneficial for the local community’s economy as well as the conservation in the southern region of Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the use of nipa palms in Khanap Nak and focused on the type of products made from nipa palms and the yield of this plant through focus group discussion and interview with the farmers maintaining nipa palm forest. The results suggested that nipa palms in Khanap Nak can yield for 5–100 years. Apart from the benefits to the community in terms of sustainability, as it prevents erosion, it provides sources for the production of food (molasses, granulated sugar, syrup, and vinegar from sap) and raw materials (roofing material and cigarette paper from leaves and stem), which can generate income to community members. It was found that most of the communities earn 90–130 USD/day from palm sugar production. The quantity of nipa palm products varies in each season, resulting in different prices. In this regard, they can produce high quantity of products made from sap from January to March. However, the production of different types of sugar requires local knowledge and wisdom to ensure good quality. Nipa palm production is the sustainable way to utilize mangrove forest resources, leading to effective conservation and good life quality. Regarding problems and difficulties in farming, it was found that natural disaster is a major threat, such as drought, excessive amount of salt or freshwater in certain periods, and insect pests.

Characterization of probiotic properties and development of banana powder enriched with freeze-dried Lacticaseibacillus paracasei probiotics

“…This study aimed to develop the product as a probiotic powder beverage. The banana and granulated sugar derived from the nipa palm plant are also low-cost and easy to handle throughout the agricultural region of southern Thailand, and richly prebiotic sources for probiotics [ 26 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Antioxidants, inhibits the growth of foodborne pathogens and reduces nitric oxide activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells of nipa palm vinegar

“…However, the other factors can influence nipa palm growing and sap properties, including rainfall, fertility, phosphorous content etc. ( Cheablam & Chanklap, 2020 ).…”

“…However, the other factors can influence nipa palm growing and sap properties, including rainfall, fertility, phosphorous content etc. (Cheablam & Chanklap, 2020). Phenolic acids in nipa palm vinegar can scavenge superoxide anion and free radicals both in vitro and in vivo resulting in a potent antioxidant activity (Beh et al, 2016;Yusoff et al, 2015).…”

Potentials of Palm Wine as Probiotics and Organic Acids Source in Animal Nutrition

“…Common examples include raffia palm (Raphia hookeri ) 53,54 , oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) 55,56 , date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) 57,58 , coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) 59,60 , nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) 61,62 and ron palm 63,64 .…”