Introduction

The Baobab tree is a deciduous and tropical plant that is found in Madagascar, the Savannah drylands of sub- Saharan Africa, and Australia. The tree is charmingly called the arbre a palabre”, which means “the place in the village where the elders meet to resolve problems.” It is cultivated for various uses, providing food, fiber, medicinal properties, and essential oils from seeds, and plays an important role in community nutrition and economic growth. [1]

Physical and Chemical Characteristics

The Baobab tree is recognised for its unusual barrel like trunks, with it’s leaves and branches growing at the apex. The locals describe it as the “upside down tree” as it appears as if its branches have been buried in the earth leaving its roots in the air. The leaves, fruits and seeds are consumed as food, or herbal remedies. Fiber from the bark is used to make rope for hunting and fishing material and the hollow trunks are used as natural water reserves.

Baobab Seed Oil

Health Benefits of Internal Use

The Baobab tree has been used by local communities as a source of nutrients. People often use baobab fruit in its dried form. It’s mixed with water or milk and made into drinks, sauces, and soups. Baobab fruit powder is used as a food thickener and as a replacement for cream in cooking and baking.

The seeds are rich in energy, proteins, and healthy fats. 33% of the seed content is made up of baobab oil, which is rich in fatty acids. It can be used for cooking or eaten raw or roasted.

It is usually heated to temperatures of 200 -250 deg C to breakdown the cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFAs), as part of the process to refine the crude oil.[3]

Baobab oil is rich in essential minerals potassium, and magnesium, which are needed for bone strength and cell regeneration. The leaves are rich in calcium ranging from 307 to 2640 mg/100 g dry weight [4] Several phytochemical ingredients in the seed oil have been known to help with reducing inflammation. It is used as an indigenous method of controlling fever, as well as an antioxidant. It is known for providing stimulation and has a diuretic effect when ingested. It is used to relieve body pain due to sore muscles and helps to boost weakened immune systems. [5] Studies have shown that the baobab fruit pulp is rich in vitamin C, where 40 grams covers 84-100% of recommended daily intake.[6]

Skin and Hair Care Benefits

Research has demonstrated that when baobab oil is applied on the skin, it imparts hydrating, moisturizing and occlusive properties, through which it decreases trans epidermal water loss, with P value = 0.048 when compared to a control group. It provides a protective layer to the epidermis of the skin and strengthens the lipid barrier of individual skin cells to improve their function. The presence of linoleic acid in the oil could contribute to the function of baobab oil in the treatment of acne, by reducing redness, irritation and swelling. The oil is also recognised for it’s antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that help to resolve skin infections. [7] It’s composition of vitamin C, encourages skin healing and preserves collagen , which maintains the elasticity of skin.

Baobab oil softens skin and improves it’s texture and elasticity. It also helps to reduce signs of inflammation while encouraging healing. That is why it is often used as a topical remedy for eczema rashes. Its moisturizing properties have been beneficial in reducing flaking seeing in dandruff and improves the texture of dry and brittle hair. [8]

Conclusion

Baobab oil is a rich source of micro and macronutrients for the skin and hair, but it is also important for it’s contribution to overall health and immunity. It is found in many cosmetic formulations today for its healing and moisturizing properties.

References

1. Muthai KU, Karori MS, Muchugi A, et al. Nutritional variation in baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp and seeds based on Africa geographical regions. Food Sci Nutr. 2017;5(6):1116-1129. Published 2017 Aug 27. doi:10.1002/fsn3.502

2. Razafimamonjison, Gaylor et al. “Fatty Acid Composition of Baobab Seed and Its Relationship with the Genus Adansonia Taxonomy.” Chemistry & biodiversity vol. 14,8 (2017): 10.1002/cbdv.201600441. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201600441

3. Msalilwa UL, Makule EE, Munishi LK, Ndakidemi PA. Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid Composition, and the Effect of Heating on the Reduction of Cyclopropenoid Fatty Acids on Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) Crude Seed Oil. J Lipids. 2020;2020:6691298. Published 2020 Dec 14. doi:10.1155/2020/6691298

4. Osman MA. Chemical and nutrient analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and seed protein solubility. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2004;59(1):29-33. doi:10.1007/s11130-004-0034-1

5. Das G, Shin HS, Ningthoujam SS, et al. Systematics, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Health Promoting Effects of the Plants from the Subfamily Bombacoideae (Family Malvaceae). Plants (Basel). 2021;10(4):651. Published 2021 Mar 29. doi:10.3390/plants10040651

6. Chadare FJ, Linnemann AR, Hounhouigan JD, Nout MJ, Van Boekel MA. Baobab food products: a review on their composition and nutritional value. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009;49(3):254-274. doi:10.1080/10408390701856330

7. Baatile M. Komane, Ilze Vermaak, Guy P.P. Kamatou, Beverley Summers, Alvaro M. Viljoen, Beauty in Baobab: a pilot study of the safety and efficacy of Adansonia digitata seed oil, Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, Volume 27, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 1-8.

8. Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Herranz-López M, Micol V. Nutraceuticals for Skin Care: A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Studies. Nutrients. 2018; 10(4):403. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040403