title: The morama bean (Tylosema esculentum): a potential crop for southern Africa.
abstract: The morama bean is an underutilized leguminous oilseed native to the Kalahari Desert and neighboring sandy regions of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa (Limpopo, North-West, Gauteng, and Northern Cape provinces), and forms part of the diet of the indigenous population in these countries. It is also known as gemsbok bean, moramaboontjie, elandboontjie, braaiboonjie, marama, marumana, tsi, tsin, gami, and ombanui. It is reported as an excellent source of good quality protein (29-39%); its oil (24-48%) is rich in mono- and di-unsaturated fatty acids and contains no cholesterol. Morama is a good source of micronutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, phosphate, magnesium, and B vitamins including folate. It is also reported to be a potential source of phytonutrients including phenolic compounds (e.g., tannins), trypsin inhibitors, phytates, and oligosaccharides, components which have been shown in other foods to contribute to health in particular, prevention of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some cancers. From a nutritional and health perspective, the morama bean has potential commercial value as a cash crop and value-added products, particularly in the communities where it is found.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Scientific Research, Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation (CESRIKI), University of Botswana, Botswana. jcjackson@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jose C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Kwaku G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Duodu
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holse
authors.forename: Margarida D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lima de Faria
authors.forename: Danie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jordaan
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chingwaru
authors.forename: Aase
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Avrelija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cencic
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kandawa-Schultz
authors.forename: Selalelo M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mpotokwane
authors.forename: Percy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chimwamurombe
authors.forename: Henrietta L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: de Kock
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minnaar
mesh_terms: D000353:Africa, Southern; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000254:growth & development*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000254:growth & development*; D005518:Food Preferences; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000193:education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012987:Soil