Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, and pharmacological activities of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth): a review

Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth) is a member of a diverse family of plants known as Marantaceae. Native to the tropical forest zones of West Africa, the plant is globally famous for its low calorie, nondiabetic natural sweetener called thaumatin found in its aril. T. daniellii thrives in deep shade, and it is used locally as a taste modifier and for preparing fish traps, ornamental bags, and mats. Organs of the plant are used in folkloric medicine as a laxative and in treating ailments such as mental disorders, high blood sugar, and lung diseases. The seeds and leaf sap are potent as an antidote against snake venom and bee stings and for preventing dystocia and prolonged child labor. Proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry revealed that the plant contains proteins, important macro- and microelements (calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and manganese), and abundant active principles and compounds such as squalene tannin, alkaloids, saponins, epicatechin, steroids, phlobatannins, anthraquinones, terpenoids, spartein, ribalinidine, rutin, phytic acid, and kaempferol. Biological activities include hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, insecticidal, bioremediative, and antimicrobial activities. T. daniellii could be used in the formulation of food supplements and drug development.