Cucumeropsis mannii
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''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is a species of
melon A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a "pepo". The ...
native to
tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
west of the
East African Rift The East African Rift (EAR) or East African Rift System (EARS) is an active continental rift zone in East Africa. The EAR began developing around the onset of the Miocene, 22–25 million years ago. In the past it was considered to be part of a ...
, where it is grown for food and as a source of oil. Its common names include
egusi Egusi (Yoruba: '' ẹ̀gúsí,'' Igbo: ègwusi), also known as, agusi, ohue, Ikpan, Ikon, or agushi) is the name for the protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants ( squash, melon, gourd), which, after being dried and ground, are us ...
in
Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
‘‘‘Egwusi’’’ in
Igbo Igbo may refer to: * Igbo people, an ethnic group of Nigeria * Igbo language, their language * anything related to Igboland, a cultural region in Nigeria See also * Ibo (disambiguation) * Igbo mythology * Igbo music * Igbo art * * Igbo-Ukwu, a ...
and agushi in
Hausa Hausa may refer to: * Hausa people, an ethnic group of West Africa * Hausa language, spoken in West Africa * Hausa Kingdoms, a historical collection of Hausa city-states * Hausa (horse) or Dongola horse, an African breed of riding horse See also * ...
. In
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...
it is known as Mann's cucumeropsis and white-seed melon. It produces climbing vines up to 4 meters long which are covered in stiff hairs. The heart-shaped or roughly palmate leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and 14 wide. It bears small yellow male and female flowers with petals under a centimeter in length. The fruit is egg-shaped or an elongated ovate shape, up to about 19 centimeters long and 8 wide, and cream in color with green streaks. The fruit and white seeds are edible. The plant is grown more often for the seed oil than for the fruit.


Description

''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is a member of the family
Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *''Cucurbita'' – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds *''Lagena ...
. Vernacular names for this crop include egusi-itoo and white seed melon.[ Egunjobi, J.K. & Adebisi, A.A. (2004). "''Cucumeropsis mannii'' Naudin". Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Ed). PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. CD-Rom. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands This crop is often referred to as “the real egusi” given its long history in West Africa, dating back 4,000 years.Kortse, P. A., & Oladiran, J. A. (2013). "The effects of leaf colour at fruit harvest and fruit after-ripening duration on (''Cucumeropsis mannii'' Naudin) seed quality". Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 190-191 This crop is primarily harvested for its large white seeds called egusi-itoo. The seeds are commonly processed into soups and oil products, and are also eaten individually as a snack.National Research Council. (2006) p. 161 Benefits of ''Cucumeropsis mannii'' crops are many. The crop thrives in harsh climates and high yields are attainable in barren landscapes. Pests and disease are rarely a problem for farmers of this crop. Further benefits include increased soil quality through ground cover and suppression of weeds.National Research Council. (2006). p. 158 This crop also holds significant nutritional value. Oil makes up 44% of the seed, where 30% is protein rich in essential amino acids.National Research Council. (2006). p. 157 The seed is an excellent vegetable protein, and is ideal for battling nutritional debilitations. High in essential vitamins and minerals, egusi-itoo complements the starch and grain diet of most Africans.National Research Council. (2006). p. 162 Despite the crops obvious advantages, ''Cucumeropsis mannii'' remains an underutilized tool for nutritional intervention in Africa.


Growing conditions

The propagation of ''C. mannii'' is entirely by seed. In the transitional zone of West Africa this crop is sown during the major rainy season between March and May. Here the soils are rich in organic matter with a high rainfall of 1,400 mm distributed April–October. Propagation starts after the first couple heavy rainfalls of the season. Holes around 2 cm deep and 1 m apart are planted with 3-4 seeds in each. A complete fertilizer should be applied before the propagation, with periodical application of nitrogenous fertilizer to follow. Growing methods contrast in the northern savannahs where conditions are more challenging with low fertility and organic matter. Rainfall in this zone is small at 800 mm annually. Cucumeropsis mannii is more successful in this area as a mixed crop, specifically grown in the ridges of sorghum crops. In more challenged areas this crop should be spaced at least 3 m apart, greatly decreasing per-hectare production. After 6–8 months, around September–December the fruit are ready for harvest. The physical signs of ripe fruit include creamy colour and dried stems and leaves. Each plant averages at 2-5 fruits, each weighing 0.8-1.8 kg and containing 90-400 seeds.


Stress tolerance

This melon can survive in nutrient poor soils in climatically diverse areas. The high degree of ground cover from the plant blankets the soil protecting it from sun exposure and water loss, and therefore increases the quality of the soil. It can thrive in humid, dry and upland areas with little to no consequence on growth or quality of crop. It is drought tolerant, thriving in West Africa's dry regions, adapted to semiarid zones, and is also compatible with warmer tropical highlands.National Research Council. (2006). p. 160


Major weeds, pests and diseases

''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is reported to be pest and disease free. Primary issues include the fungus ''
Macrophomina phaseolina ''Macrophomina phaseolina'' is a Botryosphaeriaceae plant pathogen fungus that causes damping off, seedling blight, collar rot, stem rot, charcoal rot, basal stem rot, and root rot on many plant species. Hosts, symptoms, and signs One of the ...
'', which attacks the roots and lower stems of the cropPartridge, D. (n.d.). "Macrophomina phaseolina". Informally published manuscript, Department of Plant Pathology: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
/ref> causing damping-off disease. The fruit fly species '' Dacus punctifrons'' may also attack the fruit of this plant. The fruit generally rots due to the existence of larvae. '' Halticus tibialis'' is a flea hopper similar to an aphid and may also cause problems for egusi-itoo crops, often killing the leaves of the plant by sucking out sap. After harvesting, many beetle species including the
red flour beetle The red flour beetle (''Tribolium castaneum'') is a species of beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles. It is a worldwide pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a model organism for ethological and food safety re ...
and the cigarette beetle may feed on seeds which are not properly stored in air-tight containers .National Research Council. (2006). p. 163 ''C. mannii'' provides ground cover, effectively suppressing weeds. Intercropping with sorghum, cassava, coffee, cotton, maize, or banana crops can reduce weedings during the growing season from 2-3 to just one.National Research Council. (2006). p. 157-158 This has significant positive effects on the female farmer who spends the majority of her time weeding.


Consumption and uses

Egusi-itoo is primarily grown for the oily seeds it produces. Seeds are commonly ground up and used to thicken soups and stews or as an ingredient in dumplings. Another consumption of egusi-itoo is in patty form after oil has been extracted from the seed, it is then eaten as a protein substitute. Most commonly it is dehulled and consumed as a snack.National Research Council. (2006). p. 155 In Northern Ghana egusi oil is the second most prominent cooking oil. The kernel of the egusi-itoo seed contains semi-drying oils which can be used for making soaps, cooking and for illumination, with the rest of the seed fed to livestock. The flesh of Cucumeropsis mannii is edible but is not commonly consumed due to its bitter taste. In some countries such as Ghana the juice of the fruit is used as healing ointment.


Nutritional information

The kernel of the egusi-itoo seed is 44%
oil An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is composed primarily of hydrocarbons and is hydrophobic (does not mix with water) & lipophilic (mixes with other oils). Oils are usually flammable and surface active. Most oils are unsaturated ...
, 30%
protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
, 10%
carbohydrate In organic chemistry, a carbohydrate () is a biomolecule consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms, usually with a hydrogen–oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 (as in water) and thus with the empirical formula (where ''m'' may or ma ...
, 4%
ash Ash or ashes are the solid remnants of fires. Specifically, ''ash'' refers to all non-aqueous, non- gaseous residues that remain after something burns. In analytical chemistry, to analyse the mineral and metal content of chemical samples, ash ...
and 3%
fiber Fiber or fibre (from la, fibra, links=no) is a natural or artificial substance that is significantly longer than it is wide. Fibers are often used in the manufacture of other materials. The strongest engineering materials often incorporate ...
. The oil of this seed is 64.9%
linoleic acid Linoleic acid (LA) is an organic compound with the formula COOH(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both alkene groups are cis-trans isomerism, ''cis''. It is a fatty acid sometimes denoted 18:2 (n-6) or 18:2 ''cis''-9,12. A linoleate is a salt (chem ...
, 12.4%
oleic acid Oleic acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in various animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is an odorless, colorless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. In chemical terms, oleic acid is classified as a monounsaturated omega ...
, 11.8%
stearic acid Stearic acid ( , ) is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. The IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid and its chemical formula is C17H35CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "''stéar''", which means tallow. ...
and 10.9%
palmitic acid Palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature) is a fatty acid with a 16-carbon chain. It is the most common saturated fatty acid found in animals, plants and microorganisms.Gunstone, F. D., John L. Harwood, and Albert J. Dijkstra. The Li ...
. Vitamins
Thiamin Thiamine, also known as thiamin and vitamin B1, is a vitamin, an essential micronutrient, that cannot be made in the body. It is found in food and commercially synthesized to be a dietary supplement or medication. Phosphorylated forms of thia ...
,
Niacin Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, is an organic compound and a form of vitamin B3, an essential human nutrient. It can be manufactured by plants and animals from the amino acid tryptophan. Niacin is obtained in the diet from a variet ...
, B1 and B2 are also prevalent in the seed, as well as many micronutrients. Notable minerals include
phosphorus Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Ear ...
, as the largest mineral component, with
potassium Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin ''kalium'') and atomic number19. Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmosphe ...
,
magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 of the periodic ta ...
,
manganese Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal, often found in minerals in combination with iron. Manganese is a transition metal with a multifaceted array of industrial alloy use ...
,
sulfur Sulfur (or sulphur in British English) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula ...
,
calcium Calcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to ...
,
iron Iron () is a chemical element with symbol Fe (from la, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, right in f ...
and
zinc Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodi ...
to follow. The bulk of carbohydrates are starch and soluble sugars. Egusi-itoo is the perfect complement to the largely starch-rich grain diet of Africa, providing a high-protein and high-energy concentrate.National Research Council. (2006). p. 157-159 The seed contains every important macro and micro-nutrient in quantities ideal for nutrition. The
amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha am ...
content of egusi-itoo proteins makes it a sufficient vegetable protein. This composition is ideal for sick and growing bodies, providing essential amino acids and calories. Just 100 g of seed daily provides essential
fatty acid In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, fr ...
,
amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha am ...
and
Vitamin E Vitamin E is a group of eight fat soluble compounds that include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Vitamin E deficiency, which is rare and usually due to an underlying problem with digesting dietary fat rather than from a diet low in vitami ...
requirements. There is potential for these seeds as a critical tool for interventions in diseases such as
marasmus Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency. It can occur in anyone with severe malnutrition but usually occurs in children. Body weight is reduced to less than 62% of the normal (expected) body weight for the a ...
and
kwashiorkor Kwashiorkor ( , ) is a form of severe protein malnutrition characterized by edema and an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates. It is thought to be caused by sufficient calorie intake, but with insufficient protein consumption (or lack of goo ...
.


Practical information

There is a need for more widespread knowledge on Cucumeropsis mannii in order to re-popularize the crop and spread its many benefits. NGOs should distribute vital knowledge on crop propagation and handling, and use the crop for nutritional interventions. Importance must be placed on specific harvest timing. Early or late harvesting of Cucumeropsis mannii has a correlation with seed quality. It is important to ensure that the fruit has reached full maturity before harvest in order to secure maximum egusi-itoo yields. Full maturity is signified by fully dried plant leaves. Seeds of this fruit should be harvested after 65 days after
anthesis Anthesis is the period during which a flower is fully open and functional. It may also refer to the onset of that period. The onset of anthesis is spectacular in some species. In ''Banksia'' species, for example, anthesis involves the extension ...
. This allows for increased germination ability of stored seeds ensuring productive future yields. It is recommended that farmers select for the seeds with the highest weight for best germination results. In order to achieve the highest possible seed quality it is recommended that harvested fruits be left for 10–20 days to after-ripen. In order to combat pests such as the ''Dacus punctifrons'' fields should be rotated yearly, as the fly pupae remain in the soil. Increases in egusi-itoo yield and proper storing techniques will help rural subsistence farmers increase food supplies, while allowing for profit gain.


References


National Research Council. (2006). "Lost crops of africa: Volume II: Vegetables". Washington, DC: The National Academies Press


External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q5192429 Cucurbitaceae Melons Taxa named by Charles Victor Naudin Plants described in 1866 Flora of Africa