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Baobab Foods, Inc. has been an exclusive importer of baobab from Afriplex in South Africa, marketing a line of Baobest brand products, including fruit cubes, fruit powder and drink mixes, in Canada and the United States. Recently it announced plans to develop nutraceutical products containing the fruit. For this, the company will import depectinised baobab extract, which offers higher concentrations of antioxidants than pure baobab fruit powder. Bioavailability tests prove that nutrients in the extract are highly absorbable.
“It’s a natural that we’d begin to look at the nutraceutical market as a way to expand the availability and delivery systems for baobab,” said Stephan Broburg, general manager. “In addition to exploring development opportunities for Baobest branded products, we’re quite confident forward-thinking organisations in the space will also want to speak to us about incorporating baobab into their products.”
Since 2009, the baobab fruit has been approved for use in food and drink by the US FDA. It comes from the baobab tree, a native to Africa, where it is referred to as the tree of life. Its vitamin and mineral content has earned it a place amongst superfruits. Discovery of its health properties has created a demand in Western countries, helping to grow a business in Africa.
The sustainable harvest of baobab benefits the women of southern Africa and their communities. Rural families can double their income by harvesting natural products such as baobab. This yearly income empowers women to invest in their communities, purchase healthcare services or fund education for children.
Superfruit
-An organic, gluten-free, whole food, baobab delivers exceptional nutrition:
-Antioxidants – more than blueberries, pomegranate, Goji berries and acai; southern Africa’s unique environment boosts the fruit’s antioxidant capacity well beyond that of baobab harvested from other regions
-Fiber – composed of 50% total fiber of which 75% is soluble fiber