THE HIDDEN FACTS ABOUT MONKEY KOLA ( SCIENTIFIC NAME AND IT'S NUTRITION )

THE HIDDEN FACTS ABOUT MONKEY KOLA

 

Botanical name :  Cola lepidota k. schum (Yellow specie)
Ibibio / Annang/Efik : Ndiyah
Igbo :  Achicha,Ochiricha
English name :  Monkey kola
 
Monkey kola
                       Is a tasty, juicy and healthy fruit that is close to becoming extinct requires attention        through awareness of its nutritional/ health benefits.

Its a perennial tree grown in the West and Central African forest, but it is also found in homes and villages .
In Nigeria, the fruit pulp is eaten by humans and some wild animal (primate especially) example monkeys, baboons and other of its species.
The mature pulp is crisp and sweet with moderate calorie of 65 calories/100gm fruit pulp. This makes its consumption ideal for all age groups though people's demand for this fruit tend to have decreased, compared to other fruits such as garden egg, cucumber,banana etc.
 
Monkey kola exist in three varieties which are:

• viz red, 
• yellow
•  white

 which yellow is the most commonly found in local markets usually between the month June – November.

NUTRITION FOUND IN MONKEY KOLA :

Monkey Kola has substantial amount of amino acids, (essential and non-essential ) vitamins, mineral elements useful for body maintenance.
Essential amino acid(EAA) are protein substances that cannot be made by the body, thus derived from food.

Below are constitute amount of amino acids in a 100g ndiyah fruit pulp and its specific bodily functions.
 
1. Lysine : 2.9g , produces nutrient 'carnitine' responsible for converting fatty acid into energy.
2. Valine : 3.59g, stimulates muscle metabolism ,tissue repair and nitrogen body balance.
3. Threonine/ Methionine: 2.61g/ 0.59g for protein synthesis.
4. Histidine : 1.3g, formation of proteins
5. Isoleucine: 1.8g, assists the body in recovery from strenuous physical activity.
6. Leucine : 3.81g ,regulates blood sugar level, aids in production of growth hormones.
7. Phenylalanine .08g produces brain chemicals (neurotransmitter) including epinephrine, dopamine etc. same function as tyrosine.

Non –essential amino acid (NEAA) are protein substances that can be made from body
 
1. Arginine : 3.6g, changes to nitric acid which helps relax blood vessels improving circulation.
2. Aspartic acid: 5.65g, synthesizes of other amino acid, helps in hormone production(testoster¬one) and plays a role in ovulation and menstrual cycle.
3. Cystenine: 0.97g, detoxifies harmful toxins and protects body from radiation damage.
4. Serine : 3.0g , play functions in RNA,DNA also maintains healthy immune system.
5. Proline : 3.5g for molecular recognition particularly intracellular signaling.
6. Glutamic acid: 6.11g,promotes healthy brain development and functions.
7. Glycine : 2.5g, maintains healthy Central Nervous System
8. Tyrosine : 1.49, produces brain chemicals (neurotransmitter) including epinephrine, dopamine etc.
9. Alanine : 2.6g, maintains glucose-alanine cycle between tissues and the liver.

EAA: 19.68g , NEAA: 29.33g. Total proteins in 100g monkey kola fruit pulp is approximately 49.10g.
EAA and NEAA greater than 0.5g indicates a useful source of dietary protein, thus this reveals that ndiyah is highly rich in protein. Although protein from plant sources tend to have relatively lower concentrations of protein by mass in comparison to animal source, they are complete as they contain at least traceable amount of amino acids essential in human nutrition.
Vitamins are minor but significant organic compounds required in food for metabolism, normal body growth and to fight against specific vitamin deficiency ailment.
 

VITAMINE FOUND IN MONKEY KOLA

Monkey kola has in minute amount of vitamins in 100g pulp
Vitamin A – 0.0002mg ,
Vitamin B1 -0.24mg,
Vitamin B2 - 0.12mg,
Vitamin B3 - 0.93mg,
Vitamin B5 -0.4mg,
Vitamin B6 - 0.23mg,
Vitamin B9 - 0.17mg,
Vitamin C - 6.4mg,
Vitamin E - 5.93mg,
Vitamin K1 -0.0012mg.
Mineral elements includes Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, Iron.
A fruit is not enough to be called good, but it’s nutritional benefits analysis proves it.
Monkey kola, fruit of the season.
Contributions, welcomed