Adesanya S A, Idowu T B and Elujoba A A (1988) Antisickling activity of Adansonia digitata. Planta Medica, 54(4): 374

The drinking of an aqueous extract of the bark of A. digitata is used in Nigerian traditional medicine as a treatment for sickle cell anaemia. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of the bark, as well as their ether fractions, were incubated with 2% sodium metabisulphite sickled washed HbSS blood samples. The results showed that the extracts possess reversal antisickling properties. However, no inhibitory antisickling activity was observed for any of the extracts when they were incubated with the HbSS blood samples for 6 h prior to deoxygenation by sodium metabisulphite. It is concluded that the low level of reversal activity compared to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and the absence of inhibitory activity in vitro do not justify the use of A. digitata for the prevention of sickling crises. Plant extracts from Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides [Z. zanthoxyloides] and Cajanus cajan, which are not used by traditional medical practitioners, have been reported to possess both activities in vitro.

Baum D A (1995) The comparative pollination and floral biology of baobabs (Adansonia-Bombacaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 82(2): 322-348

The baobabs comprise eight species with large, spectacular, nocturnal flowers. The African baobab, Adansonia digitata, has long been known to be bat-pollinated. In this paper I document the floral biology and pollination systems of the remaining seven species. The two species in section Brevitubae, both endemic to Madagascar, are pollinated by nocturnal mammals (fruit bats and lemurs). In contrast, the five species in section Longitubae, four endemic to Madagascar and one to Australia, are pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoths. In all cases, animals besides the legitimate pollinators also exploited nectar and pollen. The two pollination systems occurring in the genus correlate closely with differences in the floral morphology, phenology, and nectar production.

Breitenbach F von (1985) Notes on the growth rate of planted baobab (Adansonia digitata) trees and observations on the lifespan, growth phases and genetic variation of the species. Journal of Dendrology, 5(1-2): 1-21

Data were collected from 40 planted A. digitata trees aged 12-92 yr growing on 11 sites in the Transvaal. By combining these data with the results of previous research on the growth of adult trees, growth curves were constructed, from which a growth model was derived. Four principal growth phases are distinguished: sapling phase (up to 10-15 yr), cone phase (up to 60-70 yr), bottle phase (up to 200-300 yr) and old age phase (up to 500-800 yr). Initially the trees grow extremely fast, especially in the cone phase, but very slowly during the greater part of their life. The model is applicable only to 'normal' trees and not exceptional individuals. The considerable size differences which exist between single trees of identical age and are usually attributed to site differences have also been encountered in 2 planted stands, suggesting that the differences are mainly of genetic origin. The progeny of a tree appears to be equably distributed over the entire range of variability of the species. Variation is mainly based on differences in growth rate, which leads to phase shifts.

Eteshola E and Oraedu A C I (1996) Fatty acid compositions of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L), baobab seeds (Adansonia digitata L), and their mixture. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 73(2): 255-257

Fatty acid profiles and iodine values of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.), decorticated seeds of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.), and their mixture (one part of tigernut to three parts of baobab seeds, w/w) were chromatographically and chemically determined. All three samples contained myristic acid as the main saturated acid and oleic acid as the predominant unsaturated acid. Linoleic acid was present in the samples to the extent of 8.8-27.4%, and no other polyunsaturated acids were found. The vegetable oil mixture had the highest level of linoleate, and its possible significance in relation to the intended use in novel food formulation is discussed.

Fisher J B (1981) Wound healing by exposed secondary xylem in Adansonia (Bombacaceae). IAWA Bulletin, 2(4): 193-199.

After large branches of Adansonia digitata were transversely cut, the entire surface of secondary xylem and pith responded by producing wound tissue. Eight days after cutting, the surface 1-3 cm of xylem cells died and xylem parenchyma cells beneath expanded, divided, and deposited tannin-like compounds. After 56 days, xylem and pith parenchyma, especially the wide zones of terminal parenchyma, proliferated further as did the exposed cambial zone. Transversely cut roots showed more proliferation than stems. A new cambium regenerated across the xylem surface of the proliferation of root xylem (i.e. a callus). Large branches (approx. 16-21 yr old at the time of cutting) continued to produce an uninterrupted surface zone of wound parenchyma, similar in structure to normal bark, derived from pith, ray and axial parenchyma. A thin surface periderm covered the wound tissue, and a wound cambium was not formed 15 yr after wounding. The proliferation of aged parenchyma cells in response to wounding is related to normal wood structure in the Bombacaceae. However, a similar response to branch cutting was not observed in two other species of this family. From author's summary.

Heel W A van (1974) On dichotomy, with special reference to the funicles of the ovules of Adansonia. Proceedings, Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, 77: 321-337.

Analyses the morphology of the gynoeceum of A. digitata with special reference to the funicles of the ovules, which exhibit repeated dichotomous branching, and discusses various characters dinstinguishing the genus Adansonia from the genus Bombax, suggesting the erection of a subfamily Adansonieae.

Rashford J (1994) Africa's Baobab tree: Why monkey names? Journal of Ethnobiology, 14(2): 173-183

Monkey bread and monkey tamarind are two of the common names that appear in published accounts of Africa's well-known baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.). These monkey names are generally assumed to be derived from the simple fact that monkeys eat the baobab's fruit. Although this literal interpretation seems obvious, it is neither the only one, nor is it necessarily the correct one. In the Caribbean, the use of monkey in the compound common names for the baobab and other plants implies imitation. The name monkey tamarind, for example, indicates that the baobab is like the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica L.). It mimics the tamarind just as a monkey does a human. This is consistent with what we find in other parts of the world where the baobab is also identified as a kind of tamarind, though without the name monkey.

Yazzie D, VanderJagt D J, Pastuszyn A, Okolo A and Glew R H (1994) The amino acid and mineral content of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) leaves. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 7(3): 189-193

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaf contained 10.6% (dry weight) protein and an amino acid composition which compared favourably to that of an "ideal" protein: valine (5.9%), phenylalanine + tyrosine (9.6%), isoleucine (6.3%), lysine (5.7%), arginine (8.5%), threonine (3.9%), cysteine + methionine (4.8%) and tryptophan (1.5%). In terms of mineral content, baobab leaf was an excellent source of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus and zinc. The data indicate that quantitatively and qualitatively baobab leaf can serve as a significant protein and mineral source for populations such as the Hausa group and other ethnic populations in Africa for whom it is a staple food.