Names  

  • English: Sweet prayer leaf; Miracle fruit leaf
  • Ibibio: Mfang Aya
  • Igala: Iwee
  • Igbo: Akwukwo Elele; Akwukwo Uma
  • Yoruba: Ewe eran; Ewe moi-moi
  • Hausa: Tamiwa

Health Benefits

Thaumatococcus daniellii is valued in traditional medicine and has been studied for its pharmacological properties, offering several health benefits:

  • Antioxidant Properties: The seeds and leaves contain potent antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), which help protect against oxidative stress. Studies suggest the seeds may be comparable to vitamin C in reducing liver and kidney damage in rats, potentially aiding in the management of related diseases.
  • Antidiabetic Effects: The plant, particularly its leaf extract, enhances the activity of glibenclamide, a drug used for type 2 diabetes, and helps manage blood sugar levels, hematological disorders, and dyslipidemia in diabetic rats. It also shows nephroprotective effects, protecting kidneys from diabetes-related damage.
  • Antimicrobial Activity: Leaf extracts exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, suggesting potential use in treating infections like typhoid fever and staphylococcus infections.
  • Antihyperglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects: The plant contains compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids that contribute to lowering blood sugar and lipid levels, supporting cardiovascular health.
  • Antidote for Venom: The leaf sap is traditionally used as an antidote for snake venom, bee stings, and other bites, with some scientific backing for its efficacy.
  • Laxative and Emetic Properties: The fruit is used traditionally as a laxative, and the seeds as an emetic, particularly in Ivory Coast and Congo, to treat pulmonary issues and digestive problems.
  • Mental Health and Sedative Effects: Leaf and root sap are used as sedatives and for treating mental disorders in traditional settings, though scientific validation is limited.
  • Hepatoprotective: Some research suggests its extract may help protect the liver from damage caused by toxins.
  • Natural Sweetener: The plant contains thaumatin, a protein that is 2,000–3,000 times sweeter than sugar, making it a natural, low-calorie sweetener useful for diabetics and weight management. 
  • Anti-inflammatory Properties: Extracts from the leaves and seeds are used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation and pain. 
  • Wound Healing: The leaves are applied topically to promote wound healing and reduce infections. 
  • Digestive Health: In some cultures, the leaves are used to treat stomach aches and digestive issues. 

Other Benefits

Beyond health, Thaumatococcus daniellii has diverse applications:

  • Natural Sweetener: The arils contain thaumatin, a protein 2,000–3,000 times sweeter than sucrose, used as a low-calorie, non-diabetic sweetener and flavor enhancer in food and pharmaceutical industries (e.g., in tablets to mask bitterness). It is commercialized under brand names like Talin® and San Sweet T-100®.
  • Economic Value: The plant supports rural economies in West Africa through cultivation for its leaves, fruits, and thaumatin, which is globally traded.
  • Agricultural Uses: The dense foliage suppresses weeds, reducing the need for weeding after initial growth, making it a low-maintenance crop.
  • Substitute for Agar: The seeds produce a jelly that swells to ten times its weight, serving as a natural substitute for agar in food and industrial applications.
  • Culinary Use: The large, broad leaves are commonly used for wrapping foods like moi moi (bean pudding) and ofada rice, imparting a unique aroma and preserving flavor.
  • Environmental Benefits: It grows well in tropical forests, helping in soil conservation and biodiversity. 
  • Ecological Role: The plant is shade-loving and helps prevent erosion in forested areas.

How It Is Used

Thaumatococcus daniellii is utilized in various ways:

  • Culinary Uses:
    • The leaves are widely used in Nigeria to wrap foods like moi-moi, pounded yam, locust beans (iru), ofada rice, and pap, imparting a unique aroma and flavor. They are preferred over banana leaves for their taste-enhancing properties.
    • The fruit’s aril, containing thaumatin, is used traditionally to sweeten bread, palm wine, and sour foods. Commercially, thaumatin is extracted for use as a sweetener and flavor modifier in diet foods, drinks, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Traditional Medicine:
    • The fruit is used as a laxative, the seeds as an emetic for pulmonary issues, and the leaf sap as an antidote for venom and a sedative.
    • Leaves are boiled into teas or pounded into pastes for topical application. 
    • Roots and seeds are used in herbal concoctions to treat gastrointestinal disorders or fever.
    • Leaves and rhizomes are used as potherbs or food supplements for ruminants like goats.
    • The leaves are crushed and applied to wounds or inflammations.
  • Industrial and Household Uses:
    • The sturdy leaf petioles are used for weaving mats, making fish traps, and as building materials for roofing.
    • The plant is cultivated for its economic value, with thaumatin extracted for global markets.
  • Agricultural Practices: The plant is propagated from rhizomes due to low seed germination rates. It thrives in shaded, well-drained soils with high organic content and is harvested for its fruits, which form at or below the ground.
  • As a Sweetener:
    • The fruit’s aril (the red, jelly-like part around the seed) is chewed for its sweet taste.
    • The fruit is processed to extract thaumatin for natural sweeteners.

Side Effects/Caution

While Thaumatococcus daniellii is generally considered safe, some cautions should be noted:

  • Limited Toxicity Data: There are no known toxic effects on humans, dogs, or cats, and the plant does not cause contact dermatitis or other physical dangers. However, long-term human studies on its safety are limited, and caution is advised for prolonged use, especially for medicinal purposes.
  • Allergenic Potential: Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) in the plant are minor allergens in some fruits (e.g., apples, cherries), which may pose a risk for individuals with specific fruit allergies.
  • Pest Susceptibility: The plant may attract greenhouse pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, which can affect its growth but do not directly impact human use.
  • Processing Considerations: Thaumatin is stable at pH 2–10 and under pasteurization but loses sweetness when heated at pH above 7 for extended periods. Care must be taken in processing to maintain its efficacy.
  • Regulatory Approval: Thaumatin is approved by the FDA and EFSA as a safe food additive, but its use in pharmaceuticals or high doses should be monitored due to limited long-term data.
  • Overconsumption: Excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. 
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Limited scientific data; use with caution and under medical supervision.
  • Contamination Risk: Improper handling of leaves used for food can lead to microbial contamination if not washed properly.

References  

  • Adedosu OT, Badmus JA, Adeleke GE, Olalere GO. (2017). Thaumatococcus daniellii Extract Modulates Glibenclamide Activity and Ameliorates Haematological Disorders, Oxidative Stress and Dyslipidemia Associated with Diabetes Mellitus in Rats. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 16(5).
  • Adeleye, I. A., et al. (2011). “Antimicrobial activity of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves.” Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 
  • Akinmoladun, F. O., et al. “Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Thaumatococcus daniellii.” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 9, no. 7, 2010, pp. 1031–1036.
  • Burkill, H. M. (1985). The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 
  • Chinedu SN, Iheagwam FN, Anichebem CJ, Ogunnaike GB, Emiloju OC. (2017). Antioxidant and Biochemical Evaluation of Thaumatococcus daniellii Seeds in Rat. Journal of Biological Sciences.
  • Egharevba, H. O., and Kunle, O. F. “Bioactive Constituents and Uses of Thaumatococcus daniellii.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, vol. 2, no. 2, 2012, pp. 16–20.
  • Fadahunsi O, Adegbola PI, Olorunnisola SO, Akinloye OA. (2021). Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, and pharmacological activities of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth): a review. BioTechnologia (Pozn), 102(1), 101-117. doi: 10.5114/bta.2021.103766.
  • Hamid et al. (2024). Thaumatococcus daniellii Leaves: Its Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy.
  • Hasan M. Agha, Ali H. Jawad. (2022). Overview of Thaumatococcus Daniellii Plant, History, Uses, Benefits, and Characterization. Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 12(2), 80-90.
  • Joseph JA, et al. (2019). Thaumatin: A natural sweetener from Thaumatococcus daniellii. Food Chemistry, 287, 345-353.
  • Ojekale, A. B., et al. (2007). “Phytochemistry and antimicrobial evaluation of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves.” African Journal of Biotechnology.Â