|
Botany
An annual, spreading,
hairy, branched herb, with stems 30-80 cm long. Leaves are pinnate,
8 to 12 cm long, with a clasping petiole base and the sheath
produced in 2 linear-lanceolate stipules. Leaftlets are in two
pairs, oblong to obovate, 2 to 5 cm long. Flowers are axillary,
few, fascicled, yellow, about 8 mm long. Pods ripen underground
and are oblong, leathery, reticulate, 1-5 cm long, containing
1 to 3 seeds that are oval and smooth.
Distribution
Cultivated in the
many parts of the Philippines for its edible seeds.
Chmical constituents
Has a high protein and fat content, with considerable carbohydrates and a fair
source of calcium and iron.
The seeds yield arachis oil, colorless and with a pleasant taste.
The fixed oil is 43 to 45 percent.
Peanut oil contains glycerides of palmitic, oleic, stearic, lignoceric,
linolic, and arachidic acids.
Three alkaloids have been isolated: betaine, choline, and arachine which
may be a cause of poisoning in animals.
Phytochem study has yieled isoflavonoid, 1-pentene-3-ol, geraniol.
Study yielded a new coumestan, 3,9-dihydroxy-4, 8-dimethoxycoumestan.
Properties
Oil is considered aperient, demulcent, emollient and pectoral.
Considered aphrodisiac, decoagulant, anti-inflammatory, peptic.
Nutrional composition
- Seed In grams (g) or milligrams (mg) per 100 g of food.
- 500 calories per 100 g
- Protein, 29g; fat, 45 g; carbohydrate, 15 g; fiber 2.7 g.
- Minerals: calcium 49 mg; phosphorus 409 mg, iron 3.8.
- Vitamins: A, 15mg, B1, 0.79 mg; B2, 0.14 mg; niacin, 15.5 mg, vit C, 1 mg.
Parts used
and preparation
Seeds, oil.
Uses
Folkloric
Teaspoon of oil in milk
used for gonorrhea.
Oil used for bladder conditions.
In China, used for gonorrhea and rheumatism;
also used for insomina.
In Zimbabwe, used for plantar warts.
Others
Oil used in liniments
and ointments.
Lower grades of oil used for making soap and illumination.
Peanut cake makes excellent cattle feed.
The leafage makes good fodder and hay for livestock.
Some portion of the oil is used in the manufacture of some textile fibers.
Peanut shells are used in the manufacture of plastic, wallboard, abrasives and fuel. Also, used to make cellulose (for use in rayon and paper) and mucilage (glue).
Nutrition
Seeds are edible.
Kernel of the peanut used for oil extraction; an ingredient in many
food products: peanut butter, candies and desserts.
Peanut oil used for salads; an inexpensive substitute for olive oil.
Peanuts also contain resveratrol, touted for its varied health benefits.
Studies
• Diabets and HDL-C: Peanut (Arachis
hypogaea) Consumption Improves Glutathione and HDL-Cholesterol Levels
in Experimental Diabetes: Peanut consumption may improve oxidant-antioxidant
status without increasing blood lipids. Increased HDL-C may have cardioprotective
benefits in diabetics.
• Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic:
Aqueous extract study in alloxan-induced diabetic
rats caused a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar, decrease
in TC, triglycerides, LDL and HDL-C.
• Antioxidant / Antiinflammatory:
Biosynthesis Enhancement and Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities
of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Arachidin-1, Arachidin-3, and Isopentadienylresveratrol:
Peanuts yield bioactive stilbenoids, which except for resveratrol have
not been investigated The study showed all the test stilbenoids to have
potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities.
• Antioxidant / Luteolin:
Methanolic extracts
of peanut hulls (Spanish variety) exhibited strong antioxidative activity;
further study showed luteolin as the active antioxidative flavonoid
present in the peanut hulls.
•Immunochemical Studies:
Study yielded 14 antigenic constituents in A hypogea seeds. Arachin contains 4 antigens and conarachin contains 2.
• Decrease Fat Absorption / Decreased lipolytic Activity:
Study of peanut shell extracts showed inhibitory effect on lipid metabolic enzymes and also increased fecal fat suggesting use in reducing dietary fat absorption. The reduction of intracellular lipolytic activity may reduce circulating levels of free fatty acids.
•Sedative / Sleep Effects:
Study on peanut leaf aqueous extracts (PLAE) showed a mild hypnotic effect on sleep ameliorations. As a mild tranquilizer, the PLAE significantly elevated GABA-mediated neurotransmission and reduced Glu/GABA in target brain region, suggest some efficacy on spontaneous sleep improvement.
Allergy & toxicity
Allergy: Peanut allergy is
common and can be severe, occurring with a prevalence rate of 0.5% in
the general population, accounting for 10-47% of food-induced anaphylactic
reactions. Symptoms vary from mild urticaria to severe systemic reactions
that can be fatal. Hypersensitivity starts in childhood and usually
lasts the lifetime. For many, the history is obvious, commonly occurring
in atopic individuals with other food allergies; laboratory will reveal
a peanut-specific IgE antibody. Although immunotherapy is promising,
present treatment consists of strict avoidance and self-injection of
epinephrine. (Allergen
Data Collections)
Toxicity / Aflatoxins: A concern is the possible contamination of damaged or spoiled seeds with teratogenic, carcinogenic aflatoxins – the principal toxins aflatoxin B and G, and the less toxic dihydro-derivatives, aflatoxins B2 and G2, formed by aflatoxin producing molds (Aspergillus flavus, etc). Arachin, with 4 antigens and conarachin with 2 antigens are also reported. source
Availability
Wildcrafted.
|
