MEDICINAL AND ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE OF LOCUST

BEANS (Parkia biglobosa)

Summary

Locust bean (Parkia biglobosa), also known as iru, dawadawa, or sumbala, is a highly
valued African condiment derived from fermented locust bean seeds. It is widely used
in West African cuisine for its unique umami flavor and nutritional benefits. Beyond
its culinary role, locust bean is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, essential
vitamins (like Vitamin A and C), and bioactive compounds, making it a valuable
functional food. Its health benefits include improving vision, treating stroke, reducing
cholesterol and hypertension, controlling blood sugar levels, aiding digestion, helping
with weight management, healing wounds, reducing fever, and acting as a natural
remedy for diarrhea. The production process of locust beans involves selection,
boiling, dehulling, washing, fermentation, and drying to yield the final product,
dawadawa. Economically, locust beans are a significant source of income, especially
for rural women, supporting employment and rural livelihoods. The tree contributes to
agroforestry systems, biodiversity conservation, and soil fertility. Moreover, locust
beans have growing export potential, especially among African diaspora communities,
and are attracting interest for industrial applications in health foods, cosmetics, and
pharmaceuticals.

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Introduction

Parkia biglobosa is a perennial, deciduous tree belonging to the

family Leguminosae and the subfamily Mimosoideae. It is predominately distributed

in the Northern part of Ghana, characterized by the Sudan and Guinea

savanna ecological zones with. Due to the limited rainfall in these areas, the tree has

an extensive root system for rapid intake of water and vital soil nutrition. According

to Shelley (2020), P. biglobosa can be found in 19 African countries, namely; Ghana,

Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and,

Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Central

African Republic, Zaire, and Sudan. Its height ranges from 7 to 20 m, and the tree

bears a broad crown with branches that spread wide. These are typically attached

lower down on the firm trunk. It has brownish grey bark, and green leaves with

distinctive large bright red globes or inflorescence (Bahmer, 2016).

Bats birds, and insects are the primary pollinators. The roots, branches, leaves, pulp,

the flowers, and seeds of the tree contribute to the daily lives of people. The root,

bark, and flowers are boiled and used as herbal medicinefor curing many ailments

(diarrhea, dysentery, eye infections, guinea worm, skin infections, sores, ulcers

bronchitis, pneumonia, among others), which has saved lives primarily in rural

communities where access to healthcare is limited. According to James et al., (2017),

the seeds are blended with salt, fermented and used to reduce tension,

treat mouth ulcers, skin infection, fever, wasp stings, as a diuretic and mild purgative.

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Morphology of Parkia biglobosa

African locust bean is a medium-sized legume tree that reaches 20-30 m high. It has

a dense, widely spreading umbrella-shaped crown and a cylindrical trunk that can

reach 130 cm in diameter, often branching low. The bark is longitudinally fissured,

scaly between the fissures, thick, ash-grey to greyish-brown in colour. It exudes an

amber gum when cut. The leaves are alternate and bipinnately compound, 30-40 cm

long, bearing up to 17 pairs of pinnae. Its beanets are numerous (13-60/pinna),

subopposite, 8-30 mm long x 1.5-10 mm wide, rounded or obtuse at apex, glabrous

but slightly ciliate near apex. The inflorescence is held on a long (10-

35 cm) drooping peduncle. It is biglobose, showy, red in colour, and it looks like an

electric bulb (Natsch et al., 2019). The flowerhead is 4.5-7 cm long x 3.5-6 cm

broad and it has a strong pungent smell. The many flowers are either

bisexual, sterile or nectar-bearing. Bisexual flowers are pentamerous, 1-1.4 cm long,

and corolla lobes are fused at their base. Sterile flowers are shorter and are borne

near the peduncle, in the upper part of the inflorescence, and their nectar is attractive

to bats that pollinate the flowers. The flowers begin to open at dusk, close and wilt

at dawn, lasting only a single night. The fruit is a linear, glabrous and smooth,

indehiscent pod that becomes brown at maturity. It is 12-30 (-35) cm long x 1.5-2.5

cm wide and contains up to 23 seeds embedded in a yellowish mealy pulp. The

seeds are globose-ovoid, 5-15 mm, smooth and glossy dark in colour. There are

about 2800-6700 seeds/kg. The seeds are hardcoated and can remain viable up to 8

years (Matsunaga et al., 2017).

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Locust bean overview

Locust Beanis a natural substance which has attracted the interest of scientists not

only because of its health benefts, but also because of its economic and

environmental implications. Locust Bean fruit contains a variety of

pharmaceutically important compounds. The products that are obtained from Locust

Bean are very benefcial for maintaining human health and could be related to the

prevention and treatment of many disorders (Zhu et al. 2019). Locust beans is a type

of fermented and processed locust beans(Parkia biglobosa) used as a condiment in

cooking. It is similar to ogiri and douchi. It is popular throughout West African

cuisine. It is used in cooking traditional soups like egusi soup, okro

soup (ILA), Ewedu soup, and ogbono soup (Kligman, 2021)

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Common names

Irú (Yoruba)

Dawadawa (Hausa)

Eware(Edo)

Sumbala (Bambara)

Narghi (Fula)

Health Benefits of Locust Beans

Good vision

Due to the natural ingredients and nutrients found in African locust bean, it makes it

therefore one of the best treatment of bad vision and eyes issue such as

Myopia,Cataract and even minus eyes. Their consumption helps to give good eyesight

to people who have eye problems such as cataract, minus eyes, myopia, glaucoma and

the rest because they also contain natural nutrient that can maintain eye health (Solish

et al., 2017).

It can treat stroke

Stroke is caused when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly obstructed by any

substance which is fatal and dangerous to the health of individuals. It is also usually

associated with cholesterol and high blood pressure. One of the most convenient ways

to treat the sickness is to consume locust beans regularly.Research shows that

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consuming a good amount of African locust bean will definitely help you against such

sickness (Plewig et al.. 2016).

Reduces cholesterol

Cholesterol can cause blockage within the blood vessels thereby reducing the flow of

blood to the heart which will definitely lead to heart issues. Eating locust beans can

help your body burn the amount of cholesterol found in our bodies (Carruthers et al.,

2015).

Treat Diarrhea

Locust beans can serve as a local medicine for diarrhoea, (which is a condition where

a person excretes in liquid form repeatedly) because it contains a nutrient called tannis

and the substance works for diarrhoea medicine. Due to the amount of tannin found in

African locust bean, it will heal diarrhea, which is a gastrointestinal disorder with the

symptoms of frequent watery bowel movements. Consuming African locust beans

will help you relive diarrhea.

Treat hypertension

Hypertension also referred to as high blood pressure occurs when is a long-term

medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently increasing

above the normal level. Therefore consuming a good amount will help people with

hypertension.

Helps control blood sugar level

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The human body requires sugar to produce enough energy but it should be stable

otherwise if unstable of high will cause diabetes. Therefore consuming African locust

bean will help you control blood sugar level.

Improve digestion

Eating a good amount of African locust beans can improve digestion. Good digestion

will give you a healthy body as the excretion process in the body will be facilitated

which will prevent constipation.

Healthy weight

Underweight is not healthy and vice-versa which is sometimes not easy to be normal

weight or just gain weight for underweight. Eating African locust bean will help you

gain weight in a natural way.

Heal Wounds

As mentioned above it can be used to treat ulcer wounds internally by eating the

beans as well as external wounds. The leaves when pounded can be applied on

wounds and the bean can be paste on the wound to heal the wounds (Carruthers et al.,

2015).

Reduce Fever

Consuming a good amount of African locust bean can reduce fever. It was

traditionally used to reduce high fever which is still practiced in some rural African

communities and also send away evil spirits because of its unpleasant smell.

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African locust beans is one of the best gift of God to Africans but sadly only a few

sees this, it consist of many vital nutrients which are cherished by the body. Therefore

regular consumption of healthy African locust beans will give you good health

(Carruthers et al., 2015).

Nutritional Value of African Locust Bean (Parkia Biglobosa)

The fruit pulp of the African locust bean is sweet which indicates the presence of

natural sugars and thus a potential energy source. The attractive yellow colour

indicates thepresence of phyto-nutrients, possibly carotenoids, which are important

precursors of retinol (Vitamin A). It is also a good source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin

C). The beancontents about 67.30% carbohydrate making it a potential good source of

energy. It is a source of dietary fibre which is essential for good bowel movement and

helps in preventing obesity, diabetes and cancer of the colon and other ailments of the

gastrointestinal tract of man. The vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) content in the seed is

(191.20ug/100g), which is higher than most regularly consumed foodstuff and

adequate compared to the recommended daily intake of 30mg/65kg body weight adult

human. Vitamin C is very useful in collagen synthesis, facilitates iron absorption and

participates in biosynthesis of glucocorticoids (McMichael and Shelley, 2018).

Table 1. Proximate composition of raw locust bean and dawadawa

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Nutritional parameter Raw locust bean Dawadawa

(%)

Moisture content 7.01 ± 0.01 37.10 ± 0.20

Crude fibre 4.70 ± 0.02 2.00 ± 0.10

Lipids 9.57 ± 0.03 21.17 ± 0.03

Crude protein 28.00 ± 2.00 38.50 ± 1.50

Ash 2.00 ± 0.20 1.80 ± 0.20

Carbohydrate 55.73 ± 0.73 36.53 ± 0.53

Values are means of four replicate determinations (Mean±SD), SD =

Standard Deviation Source: (Leyden et al., 2017).

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10
Step-by-Step Explanation of Locust Bean (Dawadawa) Production: (Plewig et al.,

2016; Natsch et al., 2019)

 Selection of African Locust Bean Seeds:Start with mature, dry locust bean seeds.

 Boiling (12–24 hours or until tender): The seeds are boiled for a long time to

soften them.This helps to loosen the seed coats and prepare them for dehulling.

 De-hulling: After boiling, the outer coat (hull) is removed.The dehulled seeds,

known as cotyledons, are collected. These are the parts that will be fermented.

 Washing the Cotyledons: The cotyledons are thoroughly washed to remove any

remaining debris or hull fragments.Cleanliness is essential to promote good

fermentation.

 Fermentation:The clean cotyledons are left to ferment naturally. Fermentation

usually takes about 2 to 4 days at room temperature. Inoculation is natural

(fortuitous), meaning no commercial starter culture is added — microorganisms

from the environment or handling surfaces carry out the fermentation.

 Post-Fermentation Processing: The fermented cotyledons are pounded into a

paste. The paste is then molded into shapes, typically small balls or flattened

cakes.

 Drying / Maturation:The shaped paste is sun-dried. Drying helps preserve the

product and enhances its flavor and shelf life.

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 Final Product – Dawadawa: After drying, the finished product is ready.

Dawadawa is widely used in soups and stews as a seasoning. It adds a strong,

savory (umami) flavor.

Culinary Applications of Locust Beans

Dawadawa is used as a seasoning to enhance the flavor of cooked dishes. The black

cakes or spheres can easily be separated into pieces and tossed into soups or stews for

added flavor. They can also be used to flavor rice dishes, noodle dishes, curries, or

casseroles. In Western Africa, Dawadawa is traditionally used to flavor okra soup,

palm nut soup, bitter-leaf soup, melon soup, and alefu soup. It is also used in fakoye,

which is a braised chicken dish and jollof, which is a rice dish cooked with minced

beef, tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. In addition to finding Dawadawa in

patties and spheres, it can also be found in dried form and sprinkled onto dishes for

umami flavor. Dawadawa pairs well with meats such as lamb, beef, and poultry, fried

rice, cinnamon, rosemary, nutmeg, cloves, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and ginger. The

spheres will keep for several months when stored in a cool and dry place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

While not commonly found outside of Africa, Dawadawa is an integral part of local

and regional trade within Africa as it is predominately prepared by women to provide

a source of income for their families. Dawadawa is mostly used in Nigeria, but as

merchants traveled south and to the east to sell the flavoring, more families in other

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regions also began to produce the spheres, spreading the Dawadawa’s popularity(Ring

et al., 2017). The flavor is so valued that when transporting it to market, a red chile

pepper and local herb known as nuha nua are placed on top of the Dawadawa to

protect it from spirits. It is believed that spirits dislike spicy peppers, so the

Dawadawa will remain undisturbed and fit for selling. Kashisago mo and ko yenkaa

are other local herbs that are used for protection. In addition to Dawadawa, the entire

African locust bean tree is valued in Nigeria for its many medicinal uses. The bark of

the tree is boiled and is believed to help heal wounds, reduce toothaches and earaches,

and act as a mouthwash (Natsch et al., 2019).

Economic Importance of Locust Beans

 Income Generation for Rural Communities: Locust bean processing and sales

provide a reliable source of income, especially for rural women and smallholder

farmers. It is a significant part of the informal economy in many parts of West

Africa. Selling processed products like Dawadawa or iru in local markets boosts

household incomes (Carrillo et al., 2021).

 Employment Creation: The locust bean value chain (harvesting, processing,

packaging, and marketing) creates jobs for various groups — farmers, processors,

traders, and transporters.Processing is labor-intensive, providing employment

especially for women who dominate this sector (Matsunaga et al., 2017).

 Export Potential: There is increasing international demand for traditional African

seasonings among diaspora communities and in global ethnic food markets.

Properly packaged and branded locust bean products can be exported, increasing

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 foreign exchange earnings (Natsch et al., 2019).

 Value Addition: Transforming raw seeds into products like Dawadawa increases

their market value. This encourages agro-processing enterprises and small-scale

food industries (Solish et al., 2017).

 Supports Biodiversity and Agroforestry Systems: Locust bean trees are often

integrated into agroforestry systems. They improve soil fertility through nitrogen

fixation, reduce erosion, and provide shade for other crops, which contributes to

sustainable farming and thus, stable rural economies (Preti et al., 2016).

 Health and Nutritional Product Market: Because Dawadawa is protein-rich and

has probiotic benefits, it has potential in health food markets. Its natural

fermentation process makes it attractive to health-conscious consumers.

 Cost-effective Protein Source: In regions with high protein deficiency, locust

beans offer an affordable and accessible alternative to animal protein. This

helps improve nutrition security at the community level (Bahmer and Patel

2016).

 Industrial Uses: Research is ongoing into using locust bean extracts in

pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food preservation, creating new economic

opportunities (Dormont et al., 2019).

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Conclusion

Locust bean is not just a traditional condiment but an essential food resource with

multifaceted benefits. It plays a crucial role in food security, health improvement,

cultural heritage preservation, and rural economic development across West Africa.

Its nutrient density and medicinal properties make it an invaluable food ingredient,

while its cultivation and processing sustain livelihoods and promote environmental

sustainability.

Recommendations

 Promotion and Awareness: Increase awareness campaigns about the nutritional

and medicinal benefits of locust beans to encourage wider consumption both

locally and globally.

 Support for Local Producers: Provide support and training for rural women and

farmers on improved processing, hygiene, and packaging techniques to enhance

product quality and shelf life.

 Research and Development: Invest in research to explore further industrial

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 applications of locust bean extracts in food technology, pharmaceuticals, and

cosmetics.

 Market Expansion: Develop strategies to tap into international markets, including

better branding and export facilitation, to boost foreign exchange earnings.

 Nutritional Programs: Incorporate locust beans into nutrition intervention

programs to combat protein deficiency and improve community health

outcomes.

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