Malay Apple Prevents Skin Cancer: Nigerian Agronomist, Gbenga Akinyemi Gives Fresh Details
Nigerian Agronomist, Gbenga Akinyemi has revealed another wonder of the unique apple fruit called Malay; saying it prevents skin cancer.
Malay apple which originated from the Indo – Malayan region throughout south east Asia’s lowlands and forests is now grown, eaten and sold in Nigeria and some tropical countries of the world.
The Agronomist, Akinyemi noted that the fruit much admired for the beauty of its flowers, colour, and glistering fruits can also be found in many states in Nigeria.
Speaking of the nutritional and medicinal value of Malay Apple, Mr. Akinyemi said the high water content of the fruit is rich in fiber and contains vitamin C among other mineral contents which help to prevent skin cancer and vitamin A for a clearer and sharper vision.
Akinyemi who hopes that the benefits of this fruit are well harnessed in Nigeria revealed that in Malaysia, the powder from the dried leaves is reportedly used on a cracked tongue, and a preparation of the root is a remedy for itching and given to alleviate swelling.
Also, “the roots, leaves, and seeds are used to allay fever in Cambodia, while in Brazil, various parts of the Malay apple tree are used as remedies for constipation, diabetes, coughs, headache, catarrh, and other ailments.”
According to him, other numerous uses are reported over the range of the species.
In addition to the revelation on the fruit Malay and how it is grown, Akinyemi described it as “the biggest apple fruit in the world. It has the highest juice content or moisture of between 90.3 to 91.6g, it comes in three (3) distinct colours and shapes.
“The colors are red, green, and white. The shapes are oblong, obovoid, and bell. It is appreciated in Nigeria for its unique sweet sour taste by some people. Malay apple is loved by children and the red variety is the commonest in Nigeria for now.
“It is highly nutritious and medicinal evident in the nutrient compositional roundups published in the Scientific World Journal, Food Chemistry, and Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal. The scientific name is Syzygium malaccense. It is another wonder of the world.
“It is strictly tropical. It is intolerant of frost or cold. It prefers year round rainfall, but can tolerate seasonal rain as long as there is no extended dry period. Trees grown in areas with a seasonal dry period need to be irrigated during drought.
“Malay apple trees are planted in homes, gardens and on the farms in Nigeria. The tree is prolific producing about two thousand (2,000) apples per tree per harxest and having two ot three harvest per annum when fully established.
“Malay apple has wonderful health benefits. The flesh of the apple contains epicatechin which contributes greatly to lowering high blood pressure. It detoxifies the body. It contains water, vitamins, and minerals that serve as detoxifiers.
“The ripe Malay apple is edible and eaten raw. The skin is thin and the flesh is crisp and white. The slightly unripe apples are used for making jelly and pickles. It is processed into red and white table wines. You can create sweet jams and preserves from the ripe apples.
“You can chop raw pieces of the apple for use in fruit salad and chop into fine pieces and add to salsa recipes. The young leaves and shoots before turning green in colour are consumed raw with rice or cooked and eaten as greens.” He said.
Gbenga Akinyemi is a graduate of Crop Production from the Federal College of Agriculture, Ondo state, Nigeria, West Africa.
He was at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, (NIFOR) Edo state, Plant Breeding Division in 2002 for the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps Programme (NYSC).
He taught Agricultural science at a private secondary school in Lagos and worked as a Farm Manager at a catfish and Oilpalm production farm between 2003 to 2006.
Mr. Akinyemi has pioneered Malay apple farming in Nigeria since 2008 and still in the heart of it.
He can be reached via his mail: akinyemi1972@yahoo.com
And WhatsApp : +234 915 088 7543.
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