Diversity and Nutritional Characteristics of Garcinia kola in Southwest Cameroon

Abstract

• Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) is fruit tree species indigenous to West and Central Africa. The tree, commonly called bitter kola, plays alcrucial role in the local ethno-medicine and belongs to the most commercialized non-timber forest products in this region1 . Each part of G. kola can be used as medicine. • The most valued product are seeds which are chewed by local people to treat gastric problems or for their typical astringent taste2 . • The kernels contain a wide range of useful phytochemicals such as tannins and flavonoids. Biflavonoid complex kolaviron is one of the most promising components. It has a great potential in treatment of malaria3 and is recently studied for its therapeutic potential on benign prostatic hyperplasia4 . • However, basic information on intraspecific diversity and the exact nutritional values of the kernels are missing