ACKEE FRUIT: JAFF-GAF COOPERATIVE RESEARCH ON ACKEE FRUIT BY J.JOSEPHA et al.

JAFF-GAF COOPERATIVE RESEARCH ON ACKEE FRUIT

I. HISTORY 

The known dangerous but unfeared Ackee fruit (Blighia sapida) is native to West Africa. Apparently the Ackee fruit migrated to Jamaica in 1778 during slave trade, and Ackee (Blighia sapida) actually earned its name from Captain Bligh who history records that he brought the seeds to the Caribbean . 
The fruit is considered as Jamaica's national fruit (Jamaica's national dish is Ackee with Codfish). 
Ackee fruit is also found in several Caribbean countries, The US (southern Florida) and Central America. 

II. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms 
Clade: Eudicots 
Clade: Rosids 
Order: Sapindales 
Family: Sapindaceae 
Genus: Blighia 
Species: B. sapida

TAXONOMY

• 1) Kingdom: Plantae – plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants
• 2) Subkingdom: Viridiplantae – green plants
• 3) Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – land plants
• 4) Superdivision: Embryophyta
• 5) Division: Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes 
• 6) Subdivision: Spermatophytina – spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames
• 7) Class: Magnoliopsida
• 8) Superorder: Rosanae
• 9) Order: Sapindales
• 10) Family: Sapindaceae – soapberries
• 11) Genus: Blighia K.D. Koenig
• 12) Species: Blighia sapida K. Koenig – akee

III. DANGERS OF ACKEE FRUIT

Ingestion of the unripened Ackee fruit can result in a metabolic syndrome, which is known as "Jamaican vomiting sickness." Pediatric patients and the malnourished are at greatest risk of toxicity. The clinical manifestations can be:

1) Profuse (excessive) vomiting,

2) Altered mental status, and

3) Hypoglycemia.

If unripened Ackee fruit, is ingested, then under severe cases, it can result in: 

1) Seizures,

2) Hypothermia,

3) Coma, and

4) Death.

Medical treatment is primarily supportive care with intravenous fluids and dextrose.

What is intravenous fluids? 

As water, sugar and salt are important in helping the body to function, Intravenous fluids (shortened to "IV" fluids) are liquids given to replace water, sugar and salt that a person need if ill or having an operation, and can't eat or drink as normal. Intravenous fluids (IV) are given straight into a vein through a drip.

What is dextrose? 

Dextrose is the name given to a simple sugar that is made from corn and is chemically identical to glucose or blood sugar.

You can find dextrose in baking products as a sweetener, it can be found in items such as processed foods and corn syrup. Dextrose is dissolved in solutions that are given intravenously, which can be combined with other drugs, or used to increase a patient level of blood sugar.

IV. THE ACKEE TREE

Ackee is an evergreen tree that grows about 10 meters tall, with a short trunk and a dense crown. The leaves are shaped paripinnate, compound 15–30 centimetres long, with 6–10 elliptical to oblong leathery leaflets. Each leaflet is 8–12 centimetres long and 5–8 centimetres wide. The inflorescences are fragrant, up to 20 cm long, with unisexual flowers that bloom during warm months. Each flower has five greenish-white petals, which are fragrant.

V. THE FRUITS

The Ackee fruit maturity has three sections, each consisting of a black seed and a fleshy yellow Aril.

(a.) The Aril 

The aril is the ONLY edible portion of the Ackee fruit, the fruit typically weighs 100–200 grams and we have found that on average 4.75% to 8% is due to the edible aril portion. The Ackee fruit is pear like shaped. When it ripens, it turns from green to a bright red to yellow-orange, and splits open to reveal about two, three or 4 large, shiny black seeds, each partly surrounded by soft, creamy or spongy, white to yellowish flesh which is the edible aril. 
The aril have a nut like flavor and texture of scrambled eggs and have an aroma of strong nutmeg and burnt cheese (J.Josepha et al).

Initially the aril contain high levels of the toxin, hypoglycin.

(b.) What is Hypoglycin? 

Unripe Ackee contains hypoglycin A, a water soluble liver toxin that induces hypoglycemia by inhibiting gluconeogenesis secondary to its limiting of cofactors (Coenzyme A and Carnitine); which are essential for oxidation of long-chain fatty acids.

The onset of hypoglycemia is delayed for a few hours, but once present rapidly progresses. Deaths have been reported within 12 to 48 hours. 

However, over time, as the Ackee fruit ripens, the hypoglycin levels drop to ranges allowable for human consumption.

The toxicity occurs with ingestion of the unripened Ackee fruit and or the ingestion of the pinkish lining section.

(c.) When is the Ackee fruit ripe? 

Ripe Ackee fruit may be identified by a yellow with pinkish to reddish coloration and a wide open pod  with very visible black large oblong seeds protruding in clusters of 2, 3 or 4, at the interior of the fruit.

The unripened fruit however; is green to yellowish in color, and has a closed pod and no interior seeds are visible or barely visible to view.

(d.) Cooking process? 

If you cook an unripened fruit, that does not reduce its toxicity and life threaten danger potential. The seeds remain toxic and should not be ingested under any circumstances. The risks factors for Ackee fruit toxicity include: (1.) eating an unripe Ackee, (2.) purchasing tampered Ackee, or (3.) reusing water that has been previously used to cook unripe Ackee.

(e.) A safer way to cook or eat the Ackee fruit is to: 

1) Remove the ripened Ackee fruit from the tree and then separate the arils from each pods and from their seeds, remembering not to include any of the pinkish strip. 
{Note: if you notice mold/fungus on the arils it is best to discard it and throw it away}.

2) Clean, 

3) wash and drain. 

4) Place the Ackee Arils in boiling water; (enough water to cover them); then add salt, and boil for about 15 minutes or until tender. 

5) Drain and set aside to cool and eat it or mix it with other food.

Some people eat the soft, creamy inner flesh of the Ackee fruit aril sections raw; minus the pinkish section.

VI. HEALTH BENEFITS

The Ackee fruit aril section help aids in digestion; because it is rich in fiber, hence making the fruit an ideal digestive aid; given that dietary fiber helps bulk up the stool and also helps eliminate constipation by promoting and inducing peristaltic motion in the gut which helps move food along, preventing:

1) bloating, 

2) cramping, 

3) constipation,

4) inflammation of the colon, 

5) high levels of cholesterol and

6) heart health problems.

(1.1) How does Ackee Lower Blood Pressure?

Ackee fruit aril section has high levels of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator, reducing the strain on your cardiovascular system, thereby lowering your chances of hypertension and arteriosclerosis.

(1.2) Does Ackee fruit help with Diabetes?

The ackee fruit is rich in complex energy producing carbohydrates, which can help regulate sugar levels in the body. 

We, (J.Josepha et al.); have postulated that Ackee has the potential to be a Naturapeutic Anti-Diabetic Medication; (NADM); in which it is able to help reduce type II diabetes and prevent the up and down concentration levels in glucose levels, that happen from non-complex (simple) sugars. The level of fiber content in the Ackee fruit aril section can help to regulate glucose and insulin levels in the blood.

(1.3) Does Ackee fruit help heart health condition? 

Ackee fruit aril section contains different beneficial fatty acids, including:

1) Linoleic acid 

2) Stearic acid, and 

3) Palmitic acid. 

These acids are unsaturated fats, which are the type of fat that improves your heart health and lowers the unhealthy cholesterol levels and that protects against:

1) Strokes,

2) Atherosclerosis,

3) Heart attacks and 

4) Coronary Heart Disease; (CHD).

(1.4) Does Ackee fruit help strengthening the bone?

The Ackee fruit aril section also has different minerals like:

1) Phosphorus (P),

2) Zinc (Zn), 

3) Calcium (Ca); and

4) Iron (Fe).

High intake of these minerals can stop, slow, or reverse the effects of osteoporosis as we get older. Hence; in an analysis of over the 33 million Caribbean people, Jamaicans then to be among the lower incidence of osteoporosis; and this could be an attributed correlation with the local ingestion of the national dish Ackee & Codfish/Saltfish (J.Josepha et al.).

(1.5) What can Ackee do for the blood circulation?

Ackee fruit helps to increase the iron levels in the body, it is considered in Jamaica the equivalence of what plantain does for the Haitian community. 

Ackee fruit may also help people with anemia, to prevent side effects of anemia, such as: 

1) Lightheadedness

2) Weakness

3) Cognitive disorders; and 

4) Digestive distress.

The iron in the blood plays a key role in hemoglobin, which is necessary to produce Red Blood Cells; (RBC).

VII. DOES ACKEE HELP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

Ackee fruit aril section contains vitamin C; (also known as Ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid). The Ackee fruit aril section helps to boost our immune system; by promoting the development of white blood cells, and contributing some of its antioxidant powers to preventing chronic diseases and cell mutation.

Vitamin C is an integral part of collagen, which is required by the body to make: 

1) Blood vessels

2) Muscles; and 

3) Tissues.

Thank you for reading the presentation of this educational observational research. Please feel free to leave your comments and offer your feedback for the continued development and investigation on this topic.
(2019-05-29) 

©2019 Josefina Josepha - JAFF-GAFC Research. All rights reserved.