Tamarind leaves

The most outstanding characteristic of tamarind is its sweet acidic taste, the acid due to mostly tartaric acid. The latter is synthesised in tamarind leaves in the light and translocated to the flowers and fruits (Lewis et aL, 1961 and Patnaik, 1974, both cited in (3)). Tartaric is an unusual plant acid formed from the primary carbohydrate products of photosynthesis, and once formed, it is not metabolically used by the plant (3). The content of tartaric acid does not... 

Both leaves and bark are rich in tannins. Leaves yield a red dye, which is used to give a yellow tint to cloth previously dyed with indigo 13). Tamarind leaves are a fair source of vitamin C and p-carotene and the mineral content is high, particularly potassium, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium (3). 

Table XL Proximate Composition of Dried Tamarind Leaves...

The amino acid profile of tamarind leaves showed that the leaves of T. indica were potentially acceptable protein sources that would complement the amino acid profile and thus improve the protein quality of local diets (5). These same authors (5) also report that tamarind leaves only contained traces of a and B-carotene. 

Leaf extracts exhibit antioxidant activity in the liver (5). Antioxidant activity of tamarind leaves reported by Perez et al (2003) and Ramos et al (2003), cited in 11), was similar to the antioxidant activity of tamarind flowers observed by Al-Fatimi et al 11). The latter mechanism is probably caused by polyphenolic compounds which have already been isolated from the seeds (Luengthanaphol et al, 2004 and Sudjaroen et al, 2005, both cited in 11)). 

Tamarind leaves possess a strong in vitro antibacterial activity against more then 13 (81%) common gram positive and gram negative bacteria that were tested(iO). The latter also reports that tamarind leaf extract was very effective against E. coli. Not much is known, however, about the antibacterial compoimds present in the tamarind leaves 10) nor the specific compounds responsible for such activity. Tamarind plant extracts have been used to purify drinking water in Burkina Faso and Vietnam (Bleach et al, 1991, cited in (5)). 

Tamarind leaves and flowers, dried or boiled, are used as poultices for swollen joints, sprains and boils. The latter are usually applied after grinding leaves and flowers into powder whereby they are used in lotions or infusions. Lotions and extracts made from them are used in treating conjunctivitis, as antiseptics, as vermifuges, treatments for dysentery, jaundice, erysipelas and haemorrhoids, and various other ailments. Frait shells are burned and reduced to an alkaline ash which enters into medicinal formulas (S). The leaves, mixed with salt and water, are used to treat throat infections, coughs, fever, intestinal worms, urinary troubles and liver ailments. Leaves and pulp act as a cholagogue, laxative and are often used in treating liver congestion , constipation and haemorrhoids (3). 

Tamarind leaves are a fair source of vitamin C and (3-carotene mineral content is high, particularly P, K, Ca and Mg. 

The major constituents of the leaf oil of tamarind are linalool anthranilate, benzyl benzoate and limonene. a-Pinene, (3-pinene, nerol, etc., were noticed in minor quantity. The components are listed in Table 20.6. 

Tamarind preparations are recognized universally as refrigerants in fevers and as laxatives and carminatives (Morton, 1987). The laxative properties of the pulp and the diuretic properties of the leaf sap have been confirmed by modern medicinal science (Bueso, 1980). In South-east Asia,... 

The phenomenon of nyctinasty or plant sleep has been recorded since the ancient time of Alexander the Great.83 For example, the pinnate leaves of a large tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) fold together at night as if the tree sleeps.83 In 1995 Yamamura and coworkers isolated 3.1 mg of phyllanthrinolactone (41, Figure 2.27) from 19.2 kg of the fresh nyctinastic plant Phyllanthus urinaria as its leaf-closing factor.84 It is bioactive only for that plant in the daytime at a very low concentration of 1 x 1(T7M. 

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