Uses of African Pear Oil

Dacryodes edulis, more commonly known as the African pear, is an evergreen tree indigenous to West Africa. The oil extracted from the oval, purple fruit is used as a substitute for petroleum products and is an important source of income for the impoverished nations of the region. The oil of the fruit also has purported medicinal benefits for the treatment of several conditions.

Substitute for Diesel Fuel

• African pear oil, derived from seeds, has been investigated as a potential alternative to diesel fuel, to reduce the effects of air pollution. The January 2000 issue of "Energy and Fuels" documented the properties of African pear seed oil and compared them to the energy content of diesel fuel. The study reported that the two had similar properties and the pear seed oil could be used as an alternative fuel source. The report also stated that the processed oil could be used for animal feed.

Medicinal Uses

• The African pear is a source of vitamins and proteins and has economic value in African countries. A review article published in the May 2011 issue of the "Research Journal of Medicinal Plants" investigated the medicinal and economic properties of the African pear. The study found that the plant has a high content of essential oils and has shown to be beneficial in treating sickle cell anemia. Additionally, the oil has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

Substitute for Petroleum

• An article appearing in the October 1996 issue of "Bioresource Technology" investigated the uses of oil extracted from the African pear by a process known as Soxhlet extraction. Named for its inventor, the process is used to isolate lipids, or fats, from raw materials. The study reported that African pear oil is suitable for the preparation of resin, paint, polish, wood varnish and skin cream.

Economic Impact

• The African pear is a valuable commodity in countries of West Africa, including Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. An article published in the March 1999 issue of "Economic Botany" described the economic impact of the trade in African pear fruit. The plant is consumed as a food source and is also used for both medicine and firewood. The average income to a farmer was approximately $161 per year, which was considerable in Cameroon in 1999, when the average annual income was less than $500.