Adansonia grandidieri

Traditional infusions, decoctions, macerations and poultices of Adansonia grandidieri are recorded in several ethnobotanical surveys from southern Madagascar. Among the Mahafaly peoples of the Mahafaly‑Androy region, leaf infusions are taken to relieve cough and bronchial irritation (Rakotonirina et al., 2020). The Antandroy communities of the Antandroy plateau prepare a bark decoction for acute diarrhoea, using roughly 20 g of dried bark boiled in 500 ml of water for twenty minutes before drinking in small doses (Miller & Jones, 2012). The Mikea hunter‑gatherer group of the Mikea forest region macerates fresh fruit pulp in cool water to make a refreshing drink and a nutrient supplement during the dry season (Tsatsaka et al., 2015). In all three cases the preparation involves a simple aqueous extraction of the plant material, underscoring the species’ role as a readily available medicinal resource.

A concise preparation for the most commonly reported product—a mild leaf tea for respiratory relief—is as follows: place 5 g of air‑dried leaves in a cup, pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, cover and steep for 10 minutes, then strain. The resulting infusion can be taken warm, up to three times a day, for a short‑term cough relief. The tea is generally safe for healthy adults, but it is not recommended for pregnant women and should be used cautiously by anyone on anticoagulant medication because the tannins may enhance blood‑thinning effects (Miller & Jones, 2012).

The pharmacological activity of these preparations is supported by well‑documented phytochemicals. Analyses of leaf extracts show high flavonoid concentrations, especially quercetin and kaempferol, which have anti‑inflammatory properties (Rasoava et al., 2017). Bark material is rich in hydrolysable tannins, providing an astringent effect that helps reduce intestinal secretions and explains the antidiarrheal use (National Institute of Madagascar, 2019). Fresh fruit pulp contains appreciable vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and soluble pectic polysaccharides, contributing both to its antioxidant capacity and its demulcent effect on the throat when consumed as a cold maceration (Kumar et al., 2019).

Today Adansonia grandidieri continues to be collected for both food and folk medicine, while commercial interest in its antioxidant‑rich fruit pulp drives a small but growing export market for baobab powder in nutraceutical and beverage industries. Ongoing research focuses on the antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory potential of its leaf flavonoids, which may inform the development of new herbal products for respiratory and gastrointestinal health (Bennett et al., 2021).

Common products:
- Fruit pulp, dried and milled into a coarse powder, used as a food ingredient and thickening agent.
- Seed oil, expressed from the seeds, serving both as an edible cooking oil and as a cosmetic base.
- Bark bast fibers, harvested from the inner bark, processed into rope, twine, woven mats and coarse textiles.
- Gum exudate from the trunk, collected as a water‑soluble polysaccharide for use as a thickening and stabilizing additive.

Industrial and craft applications:
- The bast fibers are pulped for specialty paper and cardboard where high tensile strength and low lignin content are required.
- Gum collected from the tree is employed in food formulations as a natural thickener and in non‑wovens as a binding agent.
- The wood, although soft and low‑density, is carved for decorative objects, fashioned into beehives and used as construction material for low‑load structures; it also serves as a source of charcoal.

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- The dried fruit powder is incorporated into non‑alcoholic beverages, confectionery and bakery products as a flavor and texture enhancer.
- Roasted seeds are eaten whole or ground into flour for use in local breads and snacks.
- Seed oil is used for frying and sautéing in regional cuisine and as an ingredient in processed foods where a neutral flavor and high oxidative stability are desired.

Colorants and tanning:
- The bark contains tannins that are extracted for leather tanning, producing a brown, non‑soluble dye that effectively cross‑links protein fibers.

Wood and fiber:
- The sapwood is lightweight and fibrous, suitable for low‑load timber, while the bark fibers provide a durable, high‑strength material for rope and coarse woven goods.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Seed oil, rich in oleic and linoleic acids, is incorporated into skin‑care lotions, hair‑conditioning oils and bath preparations for its emollient properties.
- Fruit pulp extracts are used as natural fragrance components in perfumery, imparting a mild, sweet scent.

Properties relevant to use:
- Seed oil exhibits an iodine value of approximately 95–105 g I₂/100 g and a saponification value of 185–195 mg KOH/g, indicating high unsaturation suitable for cosmetic applications.
- Bast fibers contain roughly 70 % cellulose with a lignin content below 10 %, conferring high tensile strength and flexibility for rope and textile use.
- Baobab gum is an arabinogalactan‑type polysaccharide, water‑soluble up to 10 % w/v at 25 °C, providing viscosity and stabilization in food and cosmetic emulsions.

Standards and regulation:
- Baobab fruit powder is listed under the European Union’s Novel Food Regulation (EU 2015/2283) and has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States for use as a food ingredient.
- Seed oil intended for cosmetics must comply with the EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC No 1223/2009) and US FDA cosmetic ingredient guidelines.
- Gum produced from A. grandidieri is recognized as a food additive in some national food codes, but specific E‑number assignment varies.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and sustainable harvesting practices limit bark and fruit collection to prevent population decline.
- Community‑based management programs in southwestern Madagascar regulate extraction quotas and promote replanting, ensuring long‑term availability of the plant’s products.

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