Mafura Butter Seed Oil

Trichilia emetica

1.    Origin and Geographic Distribution

Mafura is widely distributed and grows naturally throughout sub-Saharan Africa extending from KwaZulu-Natal in the South, through Swaziland, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces (South Africa), into Zimbabwe and northwards into Cameroon, Sudan and Uganda. It has a preference for areas with a high rainfall and well-drained rich alluvial or sandy soil and is therefore abundant along coastal areas (Cronquist, 1981; Orwa et al., 2009a

2.    Introduction

The genus name “Trichilia” is derived from Greek “tricho”, referring to the 3-lobed fruits and the epithet “emetica” refers to the emetic properties of the tree.

The pressed seed yields two types of oil - oil from the fleshy seed envelope and Mafura butter from the kernel.

3.    Oil Characteristics and Properties

The characteristics has been thoroughly documented and published by I Vermaak from Tshwane University of Technology. The publication appeared in the South African Journal of Botany with title: African seed oils of commercial importance — Cosmetic applications is well worth reading.

Below some of the findings:

·         The seeds are rich in fat and produce good quality oil used for cosmetic purposes such as in the manufacturing of natural soaps, lip balm therapy, cosmetics and candle making.  

·         Mafura oil is rich in essential fatty acids and has nourishing, revitalising effects on the skin and hair and is used to treat a range of skin ailments.

·         It is known to be rich in palmitic and oleic acids with lower proportions of linoleic, linolenic and stearic acids.

·         The high palmitic and oleic acids have proved to be good skin permeation enhancers. In a previous an earlier study anti-oxidant activity was correlated to a high oleic acid content and it may be plausible to predict that the high levels of oleic acid in Mafura seed oil will exhibit good anti-oxidant properties.

·         Originally the oil was used as a starting material in lipase catalysis for the production of cocoa butter equivalents.

·         Mafura oil is combined with coconut oil to provide emollient and moisturising effects.

4.    Methods of Oil Extraction

The kernels are extracted from the seed by means of hand or mechanical methods. The methods commonly used are.

The oil expressed by hydraulic means are usually lighter in colour than screw pressed oil due to higher temperatures.

5.    Potential for Community Development

The wild harvesting of Mafura products such as seed and fresh fruit lends itself to job creation and poverty alleviation projects. These can be picked up and sold to producers of pulp and oil and generate valuable income.

The potential to start plant nurseries where selected superior plant material can be grafted onto small trees and sell this for developing orchards.

6.    Industry Studies & Links

Mander, M. 1998. Marketing of indigenous medicinal plants in South Africa: a case study in KwaZulu-Natal. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Twine, W. 2004. Medicinal bark harvesting and yields in woodlands: a case study from southern Maputaland. In: M.J. Lawes, H.A.C. Eeley, C.M. Shackleton and B.G.S. Geach (eds.), Indigenous Forests and Woodlands in South Africa: Policy, People and Practice (pp. 533-537), University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.

7.    References

Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's Trees of eastern South Africa. Flora and Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.

Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Taylor, Frank.1975 to Current. Veld Products Research and Development and Impact on Poverty Alleviation Programs in Botswana. (Personal communication and documented database)

Vermaak I. Kamatao, G.P.P., Komane-Mofokeng, B, Viljoen, A.M.,Beckett, K., African Seed Oils of Commercial Importance —Cosmetic applications.  South African Journal of Botany, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa