Evaluation of antioxidant properties of Thaumatococcus daniellii seeds

Thaumatococcus daniellii is a large rhizomatous flowering herb with height of about 3-4 m having large papery leaves¹. Flowers of this plant are pale purple and fruits bear soft crimson color that consists of shiny black seeds¹. It is usually referred to as miraculous fruit, miraculous berry, serendipity berry and katamfe as well.

It is actually a non-woody fiber plant and is utilized to supply wood fiber during paper manufacturing process². This plant is generally termed as “ewe eran” in Southwest Nigeria³ and is famous for producing naturally thaumatin; an internationally traded protein sweetener⁴. This low-calorie sweet eneris appropriate for patients, suffering with diabetes as it is about 2000 times sweeter as compared tosucrose and this natural sweetener is not harmful in case of diabetes⁵.

Seeds of this plant are black and hard and impervious and were employed by local communities in medicines to treat pulmonary issues⁶. Moreover, the jelly present on the seed can also be utilized as an alternative for agar⁷.

However, according to some investigations, by grinding and mixing the seed of this herbaceous plant to food, positive impacts on sight as well as total wellness of an individual can be observed. But, there is no scientific proof to confirm these claims at present. Many studies have been performed on seeds of T. daniellii, but little was known on the in vivo impact of the seed^7,8.

Therefore, considering this situation, scientists conducted a new research to study the antioxidant and biochemical impacts of T. daniellii seeds in the liver as well as kidney of male wister rats⁹.

For this purpose, seeds were macerated with ethanol and filtrate was concentrated to obtain ethanolic crude extract. Rats were then subjected to oral dose of vitamin C, with 500, 1000 and 1500 mg kg^–1 of the extracts for fourteen days. Then, scientists analyzed the antioxidant and biochemical parameters as well as Liver histology⁹.

This study exhibited that Thaumatococcus daniellii seed is a natural source of antioxidants. Moreover, it was found that the in vivo antioxidant characteristics are favorable in comparison with vitamin C. Conclusively; these seeds can be employed for antioxidant bioactive components for the improving liver as well as kidney ailments.

References:

1. Adedosu, O.T., J.A. Badmus, G.E. Adeleke and G.O. Olalere, 2017. Thaumatococcus daniellii extract modulates glibenclamide activity and ameliorates heamatological disorders, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia associated with diabetes mellitus in rats. J. Pharm. Res., 16: 1-12.
2. Oluwadare, A.O., 2016. Pulpsheet properties of soda pulp of miraculous berry (Thaumatococcus daniellii) stalk as a global fibrous raw material for papermaking. Egerton J. Sci. Technol., 15: 190-203.
3. Ekpo, I.A., R.B. Agbor, E.C. Okpako, A.N. Osuagwu, B.E. Ekanem and P.A. Otu, 2012. Effect of crude oil and simulated acid rain on the growth and physiology of Thaumatococcus daniellii. Biodivers. Environ. Sci., 2: 21-25.
4. Arowosoge, O.G.E. and L. Popoola, 2006. Economic analysis of Thaumatococcus danielli (Benn.) Benth. (Miraculous berry) in Ekiti State, Nigeria. J. Food Agric. Environ., 41: 264-269.
5. Olabanji, S.O., G.A. Osinkolu, D.A. Pelemo, E.I. Obiajunwa and A.T. Oladele, 2014. PIXE analysis of Thaumatococcus danielli in Osun State of Nigeria. Instruments Methods Phys. Res. Sect. B: Beam Interact. Mater. Atoms, 318: 182-186.
6. Lim, T.K., 2012. Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants, Volume 6 Fruits. Springer, New York, ISBN: 978-94-007-5627-4, pp: 259-264.
7. Abiodun, O.A., R. Akinoso, O.O. Olosunde, J.A. Adegbite and O.A. Omolola, 2014. Nutritional quality and essential oil compositions of Thaumatococcus danielli (Benn.) tissue and seed. Food Chem., 160: 286-291.
8. Chinedu, S.N., A.Y. Oluwadamisi, S.T. Popoola, B.J. David and T. Epelle, 2014. Analyses of the leaf, fruit and seed of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth.): Exploring potential uses. J. Biol. Sci., 17: 849-854.
9. Shalom NwodoChinedu, Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam, Chisom Juliet Anichebem, Gbemisola Beatrice Ogunnaike and Opeyemi Christianah Emiloju, 2017. Antioxidant and Biochemical Evaluation of Thaumatococcus daniellii Seeds in Rat. Biol. Sci., 17: 381-387.