Abstract:
Uapaca kirkiana is an indigenous fruit tree that grows in hot and dry areas
in sub-Saharan Africa. The tree tolerates dry conditions, high temperatures and acts
as a food source for people that live in drier conditions were exotic fruit trees can
hardly survive. The tree produced fruits that are rich in essential minerals and has a
potential to act as a source of vitamin C. Ripe fruits are eaten raw and mostly sold
at local and roadside markets with no processing. Traditionally the fruit can be
processed into various products which include alcoholic and non-alcoholic bev erages and traditional cakes. The fruit has a potential to improve nutritional status,
food security, and livelihoods of rural dwellers especially in arid and semi-arid areas.
However, the contribution of the fruit to human nutrition is often not recognised.
The fruit, like most indigenous fruits, has limited and out-dated data on nutrient
composition. Indigenous knowledge on handling and uses of the fruit needs to be
upgraded. This review attempts to contribute to this effort by evaluating the exist ing evidence on its nutritional potential, functional and bioactive properties,processing, postharvest handling with the aim of identifying possible areas of
research and its utilisation.
