Allanblackia (Vegetal butter)

Allanblackia vegetal butter, also known as « bouandjo butter », generates a high demand on the international market because of a high stearic acid index (>50%). Unilever uses it as a substitute to palm oil to its margarine production and is involved in the sector in Nigeria and Ghana.

Ingredient Allanblackia

Introduction

Part of the plant harvested: Almond | Abstraction process: first pressing cold
Family: Clusiaceae | Scientific name: Allanblackia floribunda | Trade name: Allanblackia
Quality: 100% pure and natural, first cold pressing without chemical processing, cosmetics quality
Country of Origin: Cameroon | Production area: Periphery of Dja Biosphere reserve
Harvest Period: July-September | Production capacity in 2016: 500kg

Organoleptic characteristics

Feature: solid at room temperature | Colour: white

Physical and chemical characteristics

Melting point: 42°C | Acid Index: 0.57 mg KOH/g | Saponification Index: 207 mg KOH/g

Fatty acids composition

Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (E.F.A) or vitamin F: linoleic acid (omega-6) (0%)
Mono-unsaturated acids (MUFA): oleic acid (omega-9) (36%)
Saturated fatty acids: stearic acid (60%)

Conditions of preservation

Store in a dry place, protected from hit and light. Limited oxidative capacity.

Ingredient Allanblackia2

NGO working in the sector

TFRD (Tropical Forest and Rural Development) is an NGO that intervenes in northern periphery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve on 30 000 hectares with 24 villages. They reinforce more than 160 farmers including 50 women, to develop certified Rainforest Alliance cacao sector, and to valorise non-timber forest products.

AAFEBEN (Appui à l’autopromotion de la femme de la Boumba et de Ngoko) intervenes in the Easter periphery of Dja Reserve on 10 community forests of 50 000 hectares. It supports 10 women groups totalling 350 women, mostly from the Baka (Pygmy people) and Bantu ethnic groups; and work in harvest and commercialisation of non-timber forest products.

Impact on biodiversity and local communities

The valorisation of non-timber forest products increased local population generated income who in return find an economic interest to protect and manage the tropical forest in the long term. In addition, communities are supported to implant tree nurseries close to housing areas and fields. This eases the harvesting, the renewal of NTFP and limits the impact of harvesting on natural recovery.

Man and Nature cannot be hold responsible for any misuse of the information contained in these pages. These factsheets cannot be considered as a therapeutic or medical prescription and cannot in any way replace a consultation with a health professional.