Mini-review: phytology of Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) as a potential functional food

Abstract

By having large sources of fruits and vegetables, Sarawak, Malaysia has a remarkable diversity of flora. One of the underutilised local indigenous fruits in Sarawak that come from the Burseraceae family is Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum). Dabai is highly nutritious and rich in protein, fat, energy and carbohydrate. Hence, the oil extraction of nutritive dabai has become one of the interests in this review. The chemical characteristics of the extracted oils from both the dabai flesh and the kernel were discussed. A total of approximately 75 recognised species have been found mainly in Asia, the Pacific and tropical Africa. Later led to further investigation of the possible cholesterol-lowering agent due to its high antioxidant ability. The fruit is slightly triangular in the cross-section, ovoid to ellipsoid. It is also rich in phenolic compounds and vitamin E, such as γtocopherol. The review uncovered the potentials of the dabai as nutritious fruit with promising medicinal properties.