Manilkara zapota, commonly known as the sapodilla, is a long-lived, evergreen tree native to southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. An example natural occurrence is in coastal Yucatán in the Petenes mangroves ecoregion, where it is a subdominant plant species. It was introduced to the Philippines during Spanish colonization. It is grown in huge quantities in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Mexico.
The name "zapota" ultimately derives from the Nahuatl word tzapotl ['t͡sapot͡ɬ] by way of the Spanish word zapote [sa'pote].
Sapodilla can grow to more than 30 m (98 ft) tall with an average trunk diameter of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). The average height of cultivated specimens, however, is usually between 9 and 15 m (30 and 49 ft) with a trunk diameter not exceeding 50 cm (20 in). It is wind-resistant and the bark is rich in a white, gummy latex called chicle. The ornamental leaves are medium green and glossy. They are alternate, elliptic to ovate, 7–15 cm long, with an entire margin. The white flowers are inconspicuous and bell-like, with a six-lobed corolla. An unripe fruit has a firm outer skin and when picked, releases white chicle from its stem. A fully ripened fruit has saggy skin and does not release chicle when picked.
The fruit is a large ellipsoid berry, 4–8 cm in diameter, containing two to five seeds. Inside, its flesh ranges from a pale yellow to an earthy brown color with a grainy texture akin to that of a well-ripened pear. The seeds are black and resemble beans, with a hook at one end that can catch in the throat if swallowed.
The fruit has an exceptionally sweet, malty flavor. The unripe fruit is hard to the touch and contains high amounts of saponin, which has astringent properties similar to tannin, drying out the mouth.
The trees can only survive in warm, typically tropical environments, dying easily if the temperature drops below freezing. From germination, the sapodilla tree will usually take anywhere from five to eight years to bear fruit. The sapodilla trees yield fruit twice a year, though flowering may continue year round.
Advantage of Manilkara Zapota or Sapodilla
Sapodilla, called Manilkara zapota originated in the central American rain forests but the crop has spread itself in India and in many other countries. The crop has become the major commercial crop in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The main specialty of the fruit is that the tress is wind and drought resistant suitable and the tress grows very fast. The tree yields good results during the summer. A single tree can bear 2000 fruits/year. The fruit looks brown in color and almost looks like a small potato.
Sapodilla is rich in fiber (5.6 g/100g) and is a necessity for people in diet. The fiber content in the fruit helps in relieving constipation. The fruit also helps protect the mucous membrane of the colon from cancer causing toxins by firmly binding to them.
Manilkara zapota is rich in antioxidant poly-phenolic compound tannin. The Tannins present in the fruit helps in precipitating proteins.
The fruit is also believed in the treatment for potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic effects.
Hence the fruit is used in many medical applications like anti-diarrheal, hemostatic (stops bleeding) and as a remedy for hemorrhoids.
The tannins present in the fruit helps to limit conditions like erosive gastritis, reflux-esophagitis, enteritis and irritating bowel disorders.
The other fruit which has this particular tannin are pomegranate, persimmon, grapes..etc.
The fruit contains a good amount of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C (24.5% of recommended daily intake per 100 g of fruit) and vitamin A ( which is good for vision). The intake of vitamin A helps in protecting lung and oral cavity cancers.
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