Ceratonia siliqua: Characterization, Pharmaceutical Products and Analysis of Bioactive Compounds: A Review Hadi Mohammed Yahya1, Hameed Imad Hadi*,2, Ibraheam Israa Adnan3 1College of Biotechnology, Al-Qasim Green University, Iraq 2College of Nursing, University of Babylon, Iraq 3Department of Biology, College of Science for women, University of Babylon, Iraq *Corresponding Author E-mail: imad_dna@yahoo.com
Online published on 26 March, 2018. Abstract Commonly known as the carob tree. The carob tree is native to the mediterranean region, including Southern Europe, Northern Africa, the larger mediterranean islands, the Levant and Middle-East of Western Asia into Iran; and the Canary Islands and Macaronesia. The carat, a unit of mass for gemstones, and of purity for gold, takes its name, indirectly, from the Greek word for a carob seed, kerátion. C. siliqua is the only Mediterranean tree with the main flowering season in autumn (September-November). However, the time and the length of the flowering period depend on local climatic conditions, as with most fruit and nut trees. Carob bean size is a highly variable character, influenced by many environmental factors as well as level of pollination and fruit set. Pollen dispersal is by insects, mainly bees, flies, wasps and night-flying moths. C. siliqua pods provide fodder for ruminants and non-ruminants. Endosperm and embryo of the seed can be ground and used for pet food. The fodder is now being used in zero-grazing in Mediterranean countries. Ripe carob pods contain large amounts of condensed tannins (16–20% of dry weight). Tannins extracted from the pulp act as an anti-diarrhoetic. Ground pulp and seed endosperm are used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products. Top Keywords Ceratonia siliqua, Pharmaceutical, Bioactive Compounds, Review. Top |