Dipteryx alata

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Dipteryx alata
File:Cumaru.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
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Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
D. alata
Binomial name
Dipteryx alata
Synonyms

Coumarouna alata (Vogel) Taub.
Dipteryx pteropus Mart.
Dipteryx pterota Benth.

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Dipteryx alata (Baru) is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is a large tree, usually referred to as "Baruzeiro" (Baru tree) in Portuguese and its fruits or almond-like beans are known as Baru. Other names besides Baru are Cumaru, Cumbaru, Barujo, Coco-feijão, Cumarurana, Emburena-brava, Feijão-coco, and Pau-cumaru.

It is found only in the Cerrado region of Brazil, and the Chiquitano region of eastern Bolivia, and is threatened by habitat loss. Historically it has been used as lumber, for charcoal production and for shade in pastures. The fruits are used as feed for cattle bovine and are also an important food source for small mammals, rodents, birds, bats, etc. They are also consumed by people.

The tree can measure up to 25 m in height, 0.7 m in diameter and have a useful lifespan of 60 years. A tree will produce about 150 kg of fruit per harvest.

Its brown fruits are either collected from the ground or picked from the tree when they are almost ripe. A fruit usually weighs 25g of which 30% is pulp, 65% is ligneous endocarp and 5% is seed (bean/almond).

File:Dipteryx alata fruits.jpg
Fruits of Dipteryx alata.l

Out of the fruit, the pulp is sweet and can be consumed fresh, but is also used to manufacture jams, jellies, and liquors; the beans (Baru almonds) are rich in flavor and are typically served after being roasted and salted or as a part of any number of dishes including bread, cakes, Pesto sauce and ice cream; additionally the oil extracted from the almonds may be used as a culinary ingredient or in many other varied forms. Baru is rich in proteins, fibers, magnesium, potassium and iron and has a high energy content.

The uses for the Baru fruit can be summarized as[citation needed]:

Products and sub-products of Baru fruit and their uses
Part of the Fruit Product/Sub-Product Uses
Pulp Pulp in natura Human food
Animal food
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Dehydrated Pulp Human food
Animal food
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Flour Human food
Alcohol/Liqueur Human consumption
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Cosmetics
Industrial
Residues Farming (organic fertilizer)
Almond Raw almond Human food
Animal food
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Agricultural (seeding)
Roasted Almond Human Food
Flour Human Food
Milk Human Food
Oil Human food
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Cosmetics
Industrial
Cake Human food
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical
Cosmetics
Industrial
Paste/Butter Human food
Ligneous endocarp Charcoal Fuel
Pyroligneous acid and tar Industrial
Ligneous Endocarp Artisanry

Additionally[citation needed]:

Baru almond, nutrition facts
Per 100 g
Protein 23.9 g
Total fat 38.2 g
Saturated fat 7.18 g
Unsaturated fat 31.02 g
Total fiber 13.4 g
Carbohydrates 15.8 g
Calcium 140 mg
Potassium 827 mg
Phosphorus 358 mg
Magnesium 178 mg
Copper 1.45 mg
Iron 4.24 mg
Manganese 4.9 mg
Zinc 4.1 mg
Calories 502

Source

See also

Portuguese Wikipedia article on Baru

Chemical composition of seeds and oil of baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) native from Pirenópolis, State of Goiás, Brazil