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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Chemical and nutritional composition of Daleib (Borassus aethiopium) and its hypocotyl "halook" utilized in Western Sudan as a famine food.

Omar Moh. Salih Abdelmuti¹

Abstract

The proximate chemical composition of Daleib (Borassus aethiopum) pulp and "Halook" was determined. Comparison of the two food materials showed that, Halook is of a higher starch content lower sugar content and is poorer in essential amino acids than Daleib Its iron content is far less than that of Daleib fruit pulp, which contains almost twice the level usually found in food plants.
Due to the fact that Daleib plant is indigenous to the Western part of Sudan, and its fruit is known for its large size and nice characteristic flavour, it should be reserved in Sudan as a national plant. Nutritionally, there is no justification for the consumption of "Halook" by means of the destruction of Daleib seeds except in emergency times. The results suggest that major steps should be taken against the destruction of Daleib seeds which might lead to desertification and the extinction of Daleib plant in the Sudan.


 

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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (2006) PP. 53-60