Blighia sapida (Aki) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Hassall CH et al, Hypoglycin A & B, two bio- logically active polypeptides from Blighia sapida. Biochem J 60: 334-9.1995-

Bowen-Forbes CS et al, Tracking hypoglycins A & B over different maturity stages: Implications for de- toxification of ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. koenig) fruits. J Agric Food Chem 59: 3869-75. 2011-

Olufade II et al, Lethality investigation of toxicity of extracts from natural plants: A case study of Blighia Sapida leaves. Int Conf Sci Eng Env Technol 2018;3:190-3.

GORDON A et al, The life cycle of Ackee (Blighia sapida): Environmental and other influences on toxicity. In: Gordon A (Ed). Food safety & quality systems in developing countries: Vol One: Export challenges & implementation strategies. 1st ed., Jamaica: A Gordon; 33-46.2015-

Aderinola OA et al, Nutritional potential of Blighia sapida K Konig (Ackee ackee) leaves as a dry season feed resource for West African dwarf goats in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria. Livestock Res for Rural Development, 19: 2007—Abstract : A feeding trial to evaluate the potential of Blighia sapida K Konig leaves as a dry season feed resource for West African Dwarf goat in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria was carried out. Twenty WAD bucks of comparable age & weight were randomly assigned to five treatment groups of Blighia sapida K Konig: Cynodon dactylon diet in ratio 100:0; 75: 25…

Khan A et al, Pesticidal bioactivity of ackee (Blighia sapida Koenig) against three stored-product insect pests. Trop Agric, 2002, 79: 217-23-Abstract : Three experiments were conducted at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad, between 1999 & 2001 to investigate the bioactivity of the dried seed powder & aril extract of ackee (Blighia sapida Koenig) on three stored-product insect pests, viz., Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), Callosobruchus maculatus (L.), & Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. In Experiment 1, BS seeds were finely ground & mixed with pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)…

Esuoso KO et al, Proximate chemical composition & possible industrial utilisation of Blighia sapida seeds & seed oils. Riv Italiana delle Sostanze Grasse 1995, 72: 311-313.Abstract: The seeds of Bliphia sapida has been analysed for its chemical composition. Results of proximate composition indicated a low moisture & ash contents (7.46±0.25%; 2.14±0.05% respectively); while a high concentration of crude protein, & carbohydrates were recorded in the seed (23.67±0.48%; 21.02±0.16; 45.62±0.35% respectively). Energy per gram in the seed was 1152.74 KJ. The physico chemical analysis of the seed o…

Akintayo E et al, Chemical composition, physicochemical & functional properties of akee (Bilphia sapida) pulp & seed flours, Food Chem, 77(3) :333-6, 2002-Abstract: Proximate & mineral compositions, together with functional properties, of Bilphia sapida pulp & seed were studied. Also, physicochemical characteristics of the seed's oil were determined. The pulp contained higher percentages of crude fat, crude protein, total ash & moisture than the seed. The most abundant mineral was potassium, in both. The reddish-coloured oil obtained from BS  had an acid value of 14.2 mgKOH/g, specific grav…

Natalini B et al, Isolation of pure (2S, 1' S, 2' S)-2-(2 '-carboxycyclopropyl) glycine from Blighia sapida (Akee). J of Chromatography A 2000, 873: 283-6-Abstract : The isolation of (2S,1′S,2′S)-2-(2′-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (CCG I, 2) from Blighia sapida (Akee) was achieved through column chromatography on deactivated silica gel followed by ion-exchange chromatography. A HPLC method has also been devised in order to assess the purity of the isolated product.

Djenontin ST et al, Characterisation of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) seed oil & defatted cake from Benin. Nat Prod Letters ,2009, 23: 549-60-Abstract : A sample of Blighia sapida seeds collected in Benin has been analysed & the results are compared to the scarcely available literature data. The chemical analysis of seed oil shows a saponification value of 145 & an iodine value of 66, consistent with the high mono-unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) content (63.8 wt%). The most interesting feature is the prominent concentration of eicosenoic acid (48.4 wt%). Arachidic acid being the main component…

Omobuwajo TO et al, Physical properties of ackee apple (Blighia sapida) seeds. J of Food Engine, 2000, 45: 43-8-Abstract : Physical properties often required for the designing of hopper, dehuller & sundry grain processing machineries were determined for ackee apple seeds at a moisture content of 9.88% (wet basis). The average seed length, width & thickness were 24.30, 19.70 & 12.90 mm, respectively, while sphericity, roundness & aspect ratio were 75.50%, 74.44% & 81.15%, respectively. True density, bulk density & porosity were 888.73 kg m−3, 556.91 kg m−3 and 37.07%, respectively. On three …

Dossou VM, Physicochemical & functional properties of different ackee (Blighia sapida) aril flours. Dept of Food Sci & Technol, K Nkrumah Univ of Sci & Technol, Kumasi, Ashanti, MSc Dissertation. 2014-

Feng PC, Hypoglycin-from ackee: A review. West Indian Med J 18: 238-243. 1969-

Ojo AO et al. Antioxidative properties of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig stem bark extract & inhibitory effects on carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Pharmacogn. J., 10 (2018) :376-83-Abstract:  In Africa, the fruit, seed, leaf, & stem of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig are used as remedy for a range of diseases. This study characterized the phytochemicals, assessed the antioxidant & inhibitory properties of the stem bark of BS. Materials & Methods: Samples were consecutively extracted using ethanol solvent & investigated for phenol content, DPP…

Wellington MA et al, Composition of oil extracted from fresh & cooked Jamaican ackee (Blaghia sapida) arilli. Jamaican J of Sci & Technol, 10, 1999, 37-40.

GAILLARD Y et al, Fatal intoxication due to Ackee (Blighia sapida) in Suriname & French Guyana. GC-MS detection & quantification of hypoglycin- A. Forensic Sci Int 206: e103-e107. 2011-

Singh P et al, Toxic effects of Ackee oil (Blaghia sapida) following subacute administration to rats. West Indian J of Med, 41, 1992, 23-6-Abstract : Subacute intraperitoneal administration of the lipid portion of the unripe ackee arillus, referred to as "ackee oil", resulted in marked neutropenia (p less than 0.001) & increase in platelets (p less than 0.01) without anaemia, in rats. Blood urea, sodium & aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased but glucose & bilirubin levels were similar to those of controls. The lungs showed areas of petechial haemorrhages & a dose-r…

Dossou VM et al, Ackee (Blighia sapida) fruit arils: Nutritional, phytochemicals & antioxidant properties. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 3(6):534–537, 2014-

Meda HE et al, Epidemic of fatal encephalopathy in preschool children in Burkina Faso & consumption of unripe ackee (Blighia sapida) fruit, The Lancet, 353(9152) :536-40, 1999-Abstract: On March 21, 1998, the Regional Health Authority of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, asked the Centre Muraz to investigate an unexplained outbreak of epidemic fatal encephalopathy (EFE). We aimed to identify the cause of this epidemic. Methods: We identified cases retrospectively through review of health-service records & interviews of family members, village chiefs, & local healers. Active surveillance was sta…

HAMZAH RU et al, Phytochemical & in vitro antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract of fruit of Blighia sapida, Vitellaria paradoxa & vitex doniana. Oxid Antioxid Med Sci 2: 215-21.2013-

Khan A et al, Repellent effect of ackee (Blighia sapida Koenig) component fruit parts against stored product insect pests. Trop Agric, 2003, 80: 19-27-Abstract : Studies were conducted to determine the component fruit part of ackee (Blighia sapida Koenig) that had the most repellent properties against stored-product insect pests, namely, Callosobruchus maculatus, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, & Sitophilus zeamais. In Experiment 1, B. sapida fruits were harvested at stages 2, 3, 5, and 7 of development & soaked for 48 h in 400 mL of either acetone, ethanol, or water (100°C) before being tested a…

Felarry- Hoba AM et al, Fatty Acids & Physicochemical Compositions of Dried & Roasted Blighia sapida Arils Oils (Ackee Apple) from Côte d’Ivoire, Asian j of Res in Biochem, 2018-Abstract: In this work, comparative study of physicochemical properties & fatty acids of dried arils (DA) oil & those roasted (RA), of Blighia sapida from Côte d’Ivoire have been done using usual methods. The results showed that the crude fat obtained were 59.08± 0.02 g/100 g for dried arils (DA) & 60.51 ± 0.12 g/100 g for roasted arils (RA) respectively. Physicochemical properties of these oils were equal approxima…

Adekola MB The objective of the study was to evaluate brine shrimp et al. Brine shrimps’ lethality test of ethanol extract & gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethyl acetate fraction of Blighia sapida Asian J. Pharm. Clin. Res., 13 (2020), 08-212-Abstract : lethality of Blighia sapida stem-bark extract & its fractions & identify the bioactive constituents in the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Methods: The ethanol extract (EE) & its fractions were subjected to lethality assay, & GC-MS analysis of EAF was carried out.…

Asiamah, S.G. Antinutrient contents of ackee (Blighia sapida) arils as influenced by some processing methods, in Department of Food Sci & Technol. K Nkrumah Univ of Sci & Technol, Kumasi, Ashanti, MSc, Dissertation, 2017-

Bowen-Forbes CS et al, Structural characterization of hypoglycin B, a diastereomeric dipeptide from the ackee fruit (Blighia sapida Koenig) by NMR experiments. Magn. Reson. Chem. 47(11):1004–6. doi: 10.1002/mrc.2497. 2009-Abstract:

Ekué MRM et al, Uses, traditional management, perception of variation & preferences in ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig) fruit traits in Benin: implications for domestication & conservation. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2010;6:12-Abstract: Blighia sapida is a woody perennial multipurpose fruit tree species native to the Guinean forests of West Africa. The fleshy arils of the ripened fruits are edible. Seeds and capsules of the fruits are used for soap-making and all parts of the tree have medicinal properties. Although so far overlooked by researchers in the region, the tree is highly valued by f…

GARG HS et al, Blighia sapida I. Constituents of the fresh fruit. Planta Med 15: 74-80.1967-

Odutuga AA et al, Fatty acid composition of the arilli of ackee fruit (Blighia sapida). Jamaican J of Sci & Technol., 3, 1992, 30-2-

Emmanuel CO et al, Phytochemical constituents of seeds of ripe d unripe Blighia sapida (Koenig) & physicochemical properties of the seed oil Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Invent., 3 (2014): 31-40-Abstract: The phytochemical properties & fatty acid composition of ripe and unripe Blighia sapida (ackee) seed as well as the physicochemical properties of the seed oil were quantified using standard analytical techniques. The common bioactive constituents; alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins & phenols were present in both seed samples. The ripe & unripe BS seeds contained (mg/100g); tannins 4662.83±15.…

Antwi ONK et al, Anti-diarrhoeal activity of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) in rats & mice, J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 4 (2009) 117–25-Abstract : The anti-diarrhoeal activity of the ethanolic & aqueous extracts of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) stem bark on castor oil-induced diarrhoea & enteropooling & gastrointestinal motility in rats and mice were investigated. Doses of the ethanolic & aqueous extracts of B. sapida (265, 530 and -1060 mg kg-1 body weight) or loperamide (3. mg kg-1) were administered (p.o.) to rats & mice 4 h before castor oil challenge and the numbers of diarrheoal defaecations …

Amira PO et al, Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Blighia sapida stem bark in alloxan-induced diabetic rats Global J. Med. Res., 17 (2017) :1-8-

Blake OA et al, Assessment of dietary exposure to the natural toxin hypoglycin in ackee (Blighia sapida) by Jamaican consumers. Food Res Inter, 37: 833-8. 2004-

Barennes H et al, Early glucose & methylene blue are effective against unripe ackee apple (Blighia sapida) poisoning in mice, Food & chem Toxicol, 42(5):809-15, 2004-Abstract: The ingestion of unripe ackee fruit (Blighia sapida) is responsible for lethal epidemic encephalopathy in West Africa & the Caribbean. The treatment of BS poisoning remains empirical & lethality was 100% in a recent epidemic in Burkina Faso. Because BS poisoning has certain biochemical similarities to ifosfamide encephalopathy, we evaluated the efficacy of methylene blue (MB) & glucose (G), alone & in combination (MB+…

Wray D et al, Ackee (Blighia Sapida KD Koenig) - A Review of Its Economic Importance, Bioactive Components, Associated Health Benefits & Commercial Applications, Int J of Fruit Sci, 20:2, 2020-Abstract: Blighia sapida: (ackee) is the national fruit of Jamaica with origins in West Africa. It is considered an economically important crop to Jamaica with export earnings averaging about US$15 million annually. There is significant untapped potential for this fruit despite concerns regarding its consumption due to the presence of two toxins, hypoglycin A & hypoglycin B. Hypoglycin A decreases as …

Ajayi AM et al, Evaluation of neurotoxicity & hepatotoxicity effects of acute & sub-acute oral administration of unripe ackee (Blighia sapida) fruit extract, Toxicol Reports, 6 :656-65, 2019-Abstract: Ackee (Blighia sapida) is a commonly eaten fruit that is indigenous to West Africa & Jamaica. Ackee poisoning in young children have been reported in parts of Nigeria due to consumption of the unripe fruits. This study was designed to identify potential mechanisms of acute & sub-acute toxicity of unripe B.Sfruit extract (BSE). Acute toxic effect was investigated in mice of either sex administe…

Adekola MB et al. Sub-chronic toxicity study of ethanol stem-bark extract of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) in Wistar rats, Heliyon, 6 (2020), Art: e02801-Abstract: Blighia sapida has been used in the treatment of different pathologies. The study aimed at evaluating the acute & sub-chronic toxicity of ethanol stem-bark extract of BS. The acute toxicity was evaluated by gavage administration at single dose & the extract was also administered at doses of 250, 500 & 750 mg/kg body weight every other day for ninety day. No mortality or observable signs of toxicity were observed for acute&d sub-ch…

Adekola MB et al, In-vitro antioxidant & anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol stem-bark extract of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig, J of Pharmaceut Analysis, 12(2):350-4, 2022-Abstract: Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig (Family Sapindaceae) is a branchless straight bole approximately 15 m in length. The study evaluated the antioxidant & anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract & fractions of BS stem-bark using in vitro methods. Ethanol extract & its fractions were investigated for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), tota…

Olayinka O et al, Ethanol Extract of Blighia sapida Stem Bark Show Remarkable Prophylactic Activity in Experimental Plasmodium berghei–Infected Mice, Drug Target Insights. 2017; 11: 1177392817728725.-Abstract: This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Blighia sapida (Lin. Sapindaceae) in chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain)–infected mice. Chloroquine-resistant (ANKA) strain of PB was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated orally for 4 consecutive days, before and after inoculation (prophylactic, suppressive, …

OJO OA et al, Ameliorative potential of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig bark against pancreatic -cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, J of Comp & Integr Med, 14(3):2017.-Abstract: In West Africa, the fruit, seed, leaf & stem of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig are commonly used as remedy against a variety of diseases, including diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the ameliorative potential of BS stem bark ethanol extract against pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days, …

Abdul Latif S et al, New Development of Hypoglycemia in a Previously Poorly-Con- trolled Type 2 Diabetic: Ackee Fruit-Induced Hypoglycemia, Int J of Diabetes & Clin Res, 4:073, 2017-Abstract: To report a case of hypoglycemia due to Ackee fruit consumption. Methods: This is a case report & brief review of literature. Results: We report a patient with new onset hypoglycemia due to the consumption of the Ackee fruit. Patient is a 95-year-old Jamaican male with history of uncontrolled, insulin requiring Type 2 diabetes mellitus. He presented with new onset of hypoglycemia and improvement in hem…

Owolabi OA et al. Changes in lipid profile of aqueous & ethanolic extract of Blighia sapida in rats, Asian J. Med. Sci., 2 (2010), 177-80-Abstract: Aqueous & ethanolic leaf extracts of Blighia sapida was assessed for some lipid profile parameters in normal albino rats. Daily administration of the extracts (50 & 100 mg/kg body weight) for 21days showed that the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides & LDL-cholesterol in all the treated groups when compared with the control. While significantly (p<0.05) higher value was observed for the HDL-chole…

Chase GW Jr et al, Hypo- glycin A content in the aril, seeds, & husks of ackee fruit at various stages of ripeness. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 73: 318-9. 1990-

Katibi OS et al. Ackee fruit poisoning in eight siblings: Implications for public health awareness. Am J Trop Med Hyg 93: 1122-3. 2015-

Gardner T et al, Extracts from Blighia sapida (Koenig) Produce Neutropenia & Thrombocytopenia in Mice, Phytother Res, 1996-Abstract: Neutrophil & platelet counts were significantly lowered (p<0.05) in mice treated with aqueous & lipid extracts of the unripe fruit of Blighia sapida. The percentage reduction in neutrophil and platelet counts relative to the controls for the aqueous & lipid (data in parentheses) extracts were 63.4 % (59.3%) a&37.46% (32.44%) respectively after 6 weeks of treatment. The significant reduction in neutrophil & platelet numbers suggests that these extracts may be u…

Barceloux DG, Akee fruit & jamaican vomiting sickness (Blighia sapida koenig). Dis Mon 55: 318-26. 2009-

Oluba OM et al, Effects of drying methods on compositional characterization & functional characteristics of Blighia sapida aril oil, Resaerch-gate, 28(3):17, 2021-Abstract: The composition of Blighia sapida fruits is reported to differ based on its origin, variety, & preservation technique. In this study, the effect of drying method on the composition as well as the antioxidant activity of oven-dried and sun-dried BS aril flour and oil were examined using standard procedures. Sun-dried B. sapida aril flour had significantly higher protein and fat content compared to the Oven-dried flour. In…

Sonibare MA et al, Antioxidant & cytotoxicity evaluations of two species of Blighia providing clues to species diversity. Electron J Environ Agric Food Chem 2011;10:2960-71.

Golden KD et al, High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of amino acids in ackee fruit with emphasis on the toxic amino acid hypo- glycin A. J Chromatogr Sci 40: 441-6. 2002-Abstract: High-performance liquid chromatography is used to determine the amino acid content of ripe & unripe ackee fruit. Specific emphasis is placed on the level of the toxic amino acid hypoglycin A (hyp-A) in the unripe & ripe ackee fruit & seed. Unripe samples are found to contain significantly higher quantities (P < 0.05) of hyp-A when compared with ripe samples. Uncooked unripe fruit is found to contain 1…

Roskow R et al, Ackee fruit poisoning: An outbreak investigation in Haiti 2000-2001, & review of the literature. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 44: 267-73. 2006-

Sinmisola A et al, Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig: a review on its phytochemistry, pharmacological & lnutritional properties, J. Ethnopharmacol., 235 (2019): 446-59-Abstract : Ackee plant (Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig) (Sapindaceae) is used in Sub-Saharan Africa (where it has its origin) and in different parts of the world (The Caribbean, North and South America, Europe). Traditionally it is used to manage numerous ailments like backache, constipation, cancer, fever in young children, gonorrhea, dysentery, psychosis, hernia, stomach ache, malaria, rheumatism, typhoid etc. It is also used as a co…

Yiadom KA et al, A preliminary study of the antiproliferative properties of crude blighia sapida seeds extracts on lung, prostate, skin, leukemic cancers & normal human liver cells, Internal Med, 2018-Abstract:n this study, the medicinal capabilities of Blighia sapida seeds are investigated by evaluating the antioxidant & antiproliferative activities on, lung, prostate, skin, leukemic cancers & normal liver cells using methods such as GC-MS, MTT & Resazurin based cell viability assays & DPPH/FRAP assays. In the MTT assay, the methanolic & hexane extracts all demonstrated a dose-dependent de…

OLUSEGUM J et al, Chemical, phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of extracts of Blighia sapida for agricultural & medicinal relevances. Nat Sci 11: 12-7.2013-

Grande-Tovar CD et al, Bioactive micro-constituents of ackee arilli (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig), Ana Acad Bras Ciencias, 91 :03, 2019- Abstract: Ackee (Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig) is an exotic fruit widely consumed in the Caribbean countries. While there is extensive research on the presence of hypoglycin A, other bioactive compounds have not been studied. We identified & quantified the changes in bioactive molecules (total phenol, ascorbic acid, hypoglycin A, squalene, D: A-Friedooleanan-7-ol, (7.alpha.), & Oleic acid), antioxidant potential, and volatile compounds during two stages of r…

OLOYEDE OB et al, Blighia sapida leaves halt elevated blood glucose, dyslipidemia & oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 157: 309-19. 2014-Abstract:  Blighia sapida leaves are used in the management of diabetes in Nigeria. Thus the antidiabetic activity of methanolic Blighia sapida leaf extract & its capability to halt oxidative stress & dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Methods: In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract (0.2-1.0mg/mL) was investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide ion, hydrog…

OLADIJI AT et al, Physicochemical properties of the oil from the fruit of Blighia sapida & toxicological evaluation of the oil-based diet in Wistar rats. J Med Food 12: 1127-35. 2009-Abstract: The physicochemical properties of the oil from the fruit of Blighia sapida & the toxicological effect of the oil-based diet on some biochemical parameters of selected rat tissues & serum were studied. The smoke, flash, & fire points as well as peroxide, iodine, & acid values of the fruit oil were significantly lower (P < .05), whereas the specific gravity, relative density, saponification, & ester val…