1/22/2024 0 Comments Cashew plant![]() The cashew fruit is edible and used for therapeutic purposes making it both a food and medicinal plant (Oliveira et al., 2020). The cashew fruit comes in two parts: the nut, which is the true organic fruit, and the apple, which is called the false fruit. The secondary metabolites present in Anacardium plants which display great antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Producers are interested in its cultivation because of its fruits, but also and especially its bark, leaves, and roots used in folk medicine. Burkina Faso, ranking 6th in Africa and 10th in the world, is one of the largest cashew producers in the world (FAOSTAT, 2021). Currently, cashew cultivation is expanding with the increase of orchards. The main cashew nut-producing regions in Burkina Faso are the Cascades, the Centre-West, the Hauts-Bassins, and the South-West, which have an average rainfall between 650 and 1 200 mm/year (Fontès & Guinko, 1995). Cashew nut exports were estimated at 117 billion XOF in 2018 for 135 000 tons and represented the third largest agricultural export product after cotton and sesame. The nuts of its fruits, in particular, constitute a real export commodity. ![]() In Burkina Faso, the cashew tree initially used to regenerate the plant cover has now become an important source of income for rural populations thanks to the technological, nutritional, and medicinal potential of its fruits. Despite being the hub of global cashew production, just about40% of raw cashews are processed in West Africa, while 90% of production is processed in India and Vietnam. In recent years, cashew has become the second largest export crop in West Africa by economic value, after cocoa. The cashew sector provides income to an estimated 10 million people in Africa. West Africa is the largest cashew-producing region worldwide, with 1 795000 tons of raw cashew nuts harvested in 2018, or 49% of the world supply. Cashew nut production in Africa represents about 65% of the world's production, amounting to 4 666 351 tons (FAOSTAT, 2021). World cashew nut production is estimated at 7 101 967 tons (FAOSTAT, 2021). Anacardium plants are adapted to the humid tropical climate. It is a plant that can reach more than 10 m of height depending on the climate and the nature of the soil. It is cultivated in several countries of Africa (West and East), South America, and Asia (India, Vietnam, etc.). The cashew tree, Anacardium occidentale L., is a perennial crop that contributes to the socioeconomic development of several countries in the world. These results obtained provide a scientific basis for their food and economical valorization of cashew fruits. All of these data are important clues for cashew by-product processing. Apples can be used as natural antioxidants and produce juices. In summary, almonds may be suitable as a source of lipids and related products. Apples, on the other hand, are rich in lipids, ascorbic acid (387.45 ± 17.4 mg/100 g), soluble sugars (387.45 ± 17.4 mg/100 g,), and pigments (lycopene, anthocyanin, β-carotene, and chlorophyll). Protein, carbohydrates, lipids, dietary fibers, ascorbic acid, tannins, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, lycopene, and β-carotene contents were assessed. The nutritional potential of cashew nuts and apples produced was evaluated to enhance their food processing. For this purpose, 60 samples of apples and kernels were collected from the three main cashew cultivation areas. The present study was conducted to perform a comparison of proximate and phytonutrient compositions of cashew ( Anacardium occidentale L.) nuts and apples from different geographical areas of Burkina Faso. The cashew plant is an allogamous plant that produces two types of fruits: the nut and the cashew apple.
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