Vanilla planifolia Andrews

Vanilla is widely used in food, beverages and cosmetics. It is produced from the beans of Vanilla planifolia Andrews, a member of the orchid family (Orchi-daceae). The plant originates from Mexico where it was already used when the Spaniards arrived. Now it is cultured in various tropical countries, such as Madagascar, Indonesia, Uganda, Comoro, Tahiti, Papua Guinea, India and Mexico. Each of these growth sites yields vanilla with different flavour characteristics. 

Dignum M, van der Heijden R, Kerler J, Winkel C, Verpoorte R (2004) Identification of glu-cosides in green beans of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and kinetics of vanilla beta-glucosidase. Food Chem 85 199-205... 

Funk C, Brodelius P (1992) Phenylpropanoid metabolism in suspension cultures of Vanilla planifolia Andr. IV Induction of vanillinic acid formation. Plant Physiol 99 256-262 Funk C, Brodelius P (1994) Vanilla planifolia Andrews in vitro biosynthesis of vanillin and other phenylpropanoids derivatives. In Bajaj YPS (ed) Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry. Medicinal and aromatic plants VI, vol 26. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 377-402... 

Odoux E, Havkin-Frenkel D (2005) Hydrolysis of glucovanillin by jS-glucosidase during curing of vanilla been (Vanilla planifolia Andrews). In Vanilla The first international congress. Allured, Carol Stream, pp 95-100... 

Vanilla Vanilla planifolia Andrews Fruit/beans Indonesia, Madagascar,... 

Gregory, L.E., Gaskins, M.H. and Colberg, C. (1967) Parthenocarpic pod development by Vanilla planifolia Andrews induced with growth-regulating chemicals. Economic Botany 21, 351-357. 

Odoux, E., Chauwin, A. and Brillouet, J.M. (2003) Purification and characterization of vanilla bean (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) beta-D-glucosidase. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 51 (10), 3168-3173. 

Vanilla extract (vanilla oleoresin) is produced by extraction of the pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews or V. tahitensis J. W. M. Moore (Orchidaceae) with a polar solvent (e.g., methanol, ethanol, or acetone, which may also contain water). The composition of the extract depends on the type and amount of solvent used. Generally, the percentage of vanillin in the extract (yield 25-30%) is 3-4 times higher than that in the pods [807d, 807e],... 

Vanilla beans are the fully grown fruits of the orchid. Vanilla fragrans (salisb.) Ames (= V planifolia, Andrews), harvested before they are fully ripe, and then fermented and cured. Two other species are of some commercial value ... 

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