Pentadiplandra brazzeana
Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill.
Pentadiplandra brazzeana, known as oubli, is an evergreen shrub or liana in the family Pentadiplandraceae. It is native to West-Central Tropical Africa, including regions in northern Angola, eastern Nigeria, and the western Democratic Republic of Congo. The plant produces large red berries, sometimes mottled with grey, containing the sweet-tasting protein brazzein, which is significantly sweeter than sugar. Due to its low-calorie potential, brazzein has attracted interest as a natural sweetener, though it is not yet approved as a food additive in the United States and the European Union.
Description
Pentadiplandra brazzeana is the sole species in the genus Pentadiplandra and is the only member of the family Pentadiplandraceae. It is a climbing shrub found in Cabinda, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, and Zaïre. The plant's berries are notable for their sweetness, attributed to the protein brazzein, which has potential as a low-calorie alternative to sugar. However, regulatory approval for its use as a food additive is still pending in major markets. The species was first described in 1886 by Baill.
Distribution
Cabinda · Cameroon · Central African Repu · Congo · Gabon · Zaïre