Sweet detar

Detarium senegalense is a leguminous tree from the Caesalpiniaceae family that produces globular fruits commonly referred to as ditax, ditakh, and detar. This multi-purpose plant that, along with producing nutritious fruits, is also used for a number of medicinal purposes[3] and for its quality timber.. senegalense has great potential for promoting food security, contributing to sustainable land care and rural development. As its Linnaean name indicates, it is native to Senegal and the surrounding countries of West Africa.

Consumption and Uses
Different parts of the D. senegalense tree are utilized for a variety of purposes. This species is mainly used for its medicinal properties. The bark of the tree is most widely used in medicine for remedies including: the removal of the placenta after birth and treatment of anaemia; wounds, skin problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach ache and digestive disorders; tuberculosis, and in cases of heavy blood loss. Root decoctions are used to treat marasmus, debility, intestinal complaints, and convulsions. Leaf and shoot mixtures have been used in the treatment of dysentery, conjunctivitis, arthritis, fractures, and boils. Seeds have been effective in controlling blood-glucose levels in diabetic individuals, for the treatment of mosquito bites and as an antidote against arrow poison and snake bite. The “ofo” flour made from the seeds is often used as a soup thickener. Aside from being eaten directly, the pulp of the fruit can be made into sherbets, juices, marmalades, or dried like dates. The timber from the trees is referred to as “African mahogany” that is characterized by its dark reddish-brown shade. Though the wood is heavy, it is easy to work with due to its resistance to moisture, weathering, and pests such as termites and borers. It is primarily utilized in the construction of houses, fences, and boats, but also works efficiently as firewood as it lights well. D. senegalense trees are frequently employed in reforestation programs in areas of degraded land as they have the ability to grow on infertile soils.

Though there is limited information on the nutrient composition of the D. senegalense fruit, it appears to be a very healthful product. Per 100 g, sweet detar fruit contains 116 kcal energy, 1.9 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 29.6 g carbohydrates, 2.3 g fibre, 27 mg calcium, 48 mg phosphate, 0.14 mg thiamin and 0.05 mg riboflavin, 2.8 mg iron, 0.6 mg niacin, and, most notably, about 1200 mg vitamin C. In comparison to recommended daily vitamin and mineral requirements for an adult (in Canada), the fruit contains moderate amounts of thiamin and iron, an exceptional amount of vitamin C, and lesser quantities of the other vitamins and minerals measured. The fruit seeds are composed of approximately 12% protein, and are rich in rare amino acids lysine and tryptophan, and thus the “ofo” flour made from the seeds has an excellent amino acid composition. Leaves from the trees have demonstrated antiviral activity against a number of human and animal viruses and the bark has shown antibacterial activity against many pathogenic bacteria, justifying the medicinal properties of the plan.

Practical Information
Fruits such as sweet detar can contribute to successful interventions to improve local livelihoods as they are rich in nutrients, require minimal preparation, and have flavours that appeal to many tastes. Storing sweet detar at temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius will preserve its quality by limiting the loss of vitamin C. As the fruit goes bad, the coating will change to a brown-yellow colour. A sieve is useful for separating debris and the seed from the pulp of the fruit and a mortar and pestle work well for pureeing the pulp. Though some D. senegalense trees produce toxic fruits, these are often identifiable by the presence of fruits remaining under the trees. If left behind, the trees are likely toxic as animals are normally very quick to take the fruits. Propagation time can be decreased by grafting. For the D. senegalense tree, the apical graft is the most effective when employed at the end of the dry season. It is also important to work toward increasing the local dependency and appreciation of wild fruits when creating interventions as there are some traditional negative stigmas and beliefs concerning the consumption of wild fruits. Conflicts around ownership may arise if trees remain undomesticated. A potential solution is the adoption of salvation forestry, where local people produce local products in a manner that guarantees them a share in the yields.