Chapter 35 - Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Seeds, Endosperm and Germ Composition, and Application to Health

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

This chapter describes the medicinal or pharmacological properties of carob seeds. Galactomannan, comprising more than 90%, is the major compound in carob seed gum. It is a linear polysaccharide based on a beta-mannane backbone to which single D-galactopyranosyl residues are attached via alpha linkages. Locust bean gum (LBG) is widely used as an additive in the food and non-food industries, owing to its abilities to provide high viscosity at low concentrations and to function as a water binder. LBG solutions are only slightly affected by pH, added ions, and heat processing. Being non-digestible, locust bean gum is considered to be a dietary fiber in foods. It increases the dietary fiber in a food product without increasing the calories, and because of this it is useful in developing reduced calorie food. It is used in the treatment or control of hyperlipidemia. It can also be made into sugar-free, starch-free flour for diabetics. Another medicinal value of locust bean gum is its ability to reduce gastrointestinal conditions, especially diarrhea in infants. Utilization of carob gum as an adjunct to oral rehydrating solution showed promising results for the treatment of infantile diarrhea. Carob germ protein is a good source of amino acid glutamine for patients suffering from gastro-intestinal injury or diseases. Carob seed germ oil is a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6), which can used in ameliorating pathological conditions such as growth retardation. Carob seed endosperm flour presents no known allergie or toxicity, although carob seed germ flour contains trypsin inhibitors, which may depress growth. Fortunately, such antinutritive substances can be deactivated by the heating process.