Attaining Food Security and Combatting Global Warming: Scientists Eye Africa’s Baobab and Marula

Report: Mohammed A. Abu

Amidst food security concerns and the disastrous global warming that constitutes an existential threat to humanity today, scientific researchers posit that two iconic trees, the African baobab (Adansonia digitata) and Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) might be more important for food security and preventing disastrous global warming than any other species growing on our home planet.

Baobab and marula, they say could be grown sparsely on vast areas without changing the existing land-use patterns.

Their Unique Selling Points

They can become large trees in arid conditions, where nothing else grows well. They cannot burn in a forest fire. They produce large amounts of popular and nutritious food, that is already being used in numerous health-benefitting products.

Dried marula stones have higher heat value than coal. In the articles of Baobab & Marula some of the world’s leading baobab and marula researchers outline what new science has revealed about the nutritional and health impacts of products based on these two trees.

They provide an outlook on the vast cultural significance of the two species an assess their global economic potential. They highlight what should urgently be done to conserve their genetic diversity

These are contained in a book  co-authored by a number of  Scientists namely, Adefila, Arinola, Cheikhyoussef Ahmed, Sarto, Annika, Egbadzor, Kenneth Fafa and Isomaki, Risto. Titled,” Baobab & Marula – New Solutions to Global Warming and Food Security”, the article also argues for domestication of the two species.

African continent, the book published by the Buckinghamshire New University,notes in an Abstract, is immensely rich in biodiversity, but even the most promising African plants have often been neglected by plant breeders. The best-known exception is the African oil palm which is already producing almost 40 per cent of the world’s food oil, using nine times less land than competing oil crops.

Domestication of baobab and marula might achieve equally impressive results. Baobab & Marula has been compiled by the Baorula Network, a coalition of scientists and activists promoting neglected African tree species as an important partial solution to the world’s most pressing problems.

Indeed, one of the co-authors, Prof Egbadzor, Kenneth Fafa, a Plant Breading Expert and Head of the Research Team,of the Domestication of the African Baobab Project at Ghana’s Ho Technical University, has already since set in motion, a promising Baobab revolution starting with   the Volta and Upper West Regions of the country.

Leveraging scientific  research driven technological solutions,the fourteen(14) years maturity period of the wild growing African baobab tree has been drastically reduced to two(2) years-flowering in the first year and bearing fruits the  second  and its integration into mainstream agriculture is today  a reality in Ghana.

Baobab Powder, a super Immune System Booster

Aduna SuperFoods, European manufacturers of baobab food products contends, the human body cannot make or store its own vitamin C (unlike other animals) so we need to make sure we get good supply from the foods we eat every day. A single serving of baobab powder (10gm or 2-3 teaspoonfuls) provides 33 percent of daily human Vitamin C requirement(NRV).

Baobab and Pregnancy Care

Baobab powder scientific researchers say offers exceptionally higher Vitamin contents than most other fruits on the planet. Sales marketing content found on Aduna Superfoods’ website say it is generally advised that pregnant women should consume 85 mg of Vitamin C per day (a 10g serving of Aduna Baobab Powder contains 26mg) as it helps the body to produce collagen.

Collagen is a structural protein that is needed for a baby’s normal growth during pregnancy. It plays a vital role in structuring a baby’s body and supporting their development.

(Ref:https://aduna.com/blogs/learn/baobab-benefits? srsltid=AfmBOoqWBc_qlcEX6eoGpjwDhbAlkJ0IUNPmVdJwWrDoyDIG7uNNC5Z0)

Vitamin C, Aduna Superfoods say, also known as ascorbic acid, helps the human  body to fight infections and protects cells from damage-helping to keep one healthy. Another key role that Vitamin C plays during pregnancy is, its ability to increase adsorption of iron-a vitamin that most pregnant women are deficient in. Iron is needed to help human bodies produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body and to the baby.

Baobab is also a good source of fiber. Nutritional Therapist, Eve Kalinik explains how this helps to support bowel movements and a great addition for new mums to help fight fatigue that comes with having a new born.

Baobab’s cocktail of nutritional and health goodies include, immune system health, digestive health, prebiotic, gut health, radiant skin, blood sugar level control, slow energy release among others.

Marula

Baobab’s twin sister,Marula found mostly in the Southern African region,on its part, also offers various health benefits, particularly in skincare and hair care, thanks to its rich composition of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

It can be used to improve skin hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and potentially lighten dark spots. 

In hair care, marula oil can help moisturize the scalp, reduce dandruff, and prevent split ends. Additionally, the marula fruit is a good source of Vitamin C, which supports overall health and immunity.