A review of the chemistry and biochemistry of seed shoot flour and fruit pulp of the palmyrah palm (borassus flabellifer L)

Abstract

This review with 74 references, focuses on the chemistry and biochemistry of palmyrah seed shoot and palmyrah fruit pulp. While palmyrah fruit pulp is highly underutilized due to its bitterness, there is so far no evidence of its toxicity. On the other hand, palmyrah flour, which has been consumed for centuries, has many reported toxic effects, viz., neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, clastogenic and mutagenic effects. This review discusses the above in relation to studies directed at utilization of palmyrah fruit pulp based on its sugar, pectin and carotenoid content and the effect a group of steroidal saponins termed flabelliferins will have on utilization. The structural studies and bioactivities of these flabelliferins are discussed. Also discussed is the reported toxicity of odiyal flour.