Tamarindus indica seeds and their neutraceutical applications

Abstract

Tamarindus indica commonly known as tamarind is an economically important tree. Tamarind is a multipurpose tree species, every part of the tree have some use. All parts of Tamarind tree are used in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile industries, used as a fodder, timber and also as fuel. Tamarind seeds are flat, glossy and dicotyledonous. They are hard, red to purple brown in color. Seed chambers are lined with a stiff or thin membrane with hard cotyledons. Whole tamarind seed is rich in protein. Seed coat is rich in fibre and carbohydrate. Balanced amino acids are present in tamarind seeds, except a few, all amino acids such as Isoleucine, Leucine, Lycine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Valine are in high content. Tamarind seeds contain antinutrients like tannin, phytate, trypsin inhibitor, alkaloid, saponin and oxalate etc. Tamarind seeds are used in pharmaceutical, textile, food, paper industries. The polysaccharide present in seeds act as a gum or thickening agent in food and textile industry. Seeds are used to treat teeth infection, diarrhea, arthritis, indigestion, eye health etc. It also has some applications like antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and many more.