BREAD FRUITS (KADA CHAKKA) (കടച്ചക്ക, ശീമ ചക്ക )

INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

VOL.16

 

                                                    

COMMON NAME:-   BREAD FRUITS

OTHER NAMES:

 

                          deegujje,

                          suku,

                              buen pan,

                               sa-ke,

                               rimas,

                               ulu,

                               ramon,

                               fruta de pan ,

                               fruit a pain,

                               chataignier,

                               arbre a pain,

                               fruta pao,

                               broodvrucht,

                               pan de ano,

                               marure,

                               castano de Malabar,

                              panapen,

                              Masapan,

                              pana de pepitas.

 BOTANIC NAME: - Artocarpus altilis.

MALAYALAM NAME: - KADA CHAKKA,

                                    SEEMA CHAKKA .           

           The breadfruit tree is a fast growing, tall evergreen tropical tree, reaching a height of 85 ft, with many spreading  branches.

Bread fruit tree  is believed to be native to New Guinea, but it has been widely cultivated in south-east Asia and the Pacific region for thousands of years, and is now cultivated throughout the tropics for its tasty fruits.

All parts of the tree, including the fruit, are rich in milky, gummy latex.

The leaves, evergreen, thick,  ovate,25-60 cm long, 20-40 cm wide, entire at the base, then more or less deeply cut into 5 to 10 pointed lobes. They are bright-green and glossy on the upper surface, stiff hairs on the underside.

NUTRITIVE VALUE:-

The Nutritional composition* per 100g of edible portion of raw bread fruits :
Energy    105-109,

Protein     1.5-2.24  g,

Carbohydrate      21.5 -28.49g,
Carotene       0.004 mg,
Vitamin A    408-1000 I.U,
Vitamin B1    0.08-0.085 mg,                                    
Vitamin B2  0.033-0.07  mg,
Vitamin B3   0.506 0.92 mg,
Vitamin C     29 mg,
 Iron    0.60-2.4 mg,
 Phosphorous  0.04mg,
 Calcium     0.05 mg , 
Fibre          1.08 2.5 g
Fat        0.1-0.9g.

 
^{*Values reported from Asian and tropical American analyses.}

MEDICINAL VALUE:-

                Breadfruit reduces blood cholesterol levels due to its high Fiber content.
In the West Indies a decoction of the leaves is used to lower elevated blood pressure and to relieve asthma.
Bread fruits  protects the colon’s mucous membranes and prevents colon cancer.
A breadfruit nutrition diet boosts one’s immune system. It has more ascorbic acid (vitamin C) than bananas and jackfruit.
The shoots, bark and latex have also medicinal applications.

FOOD VALUE:-

             Under ripe fruits is used as a vegetable.

Breadfruit is best for making chips and cutlets.

The dried fruit has been made into flour in Brazil with a view to substituting breadfruit in part for wheat flour in bread making. 

METHOD OF CULTIVATION:-

          Breadfruit is  propagated by transplanting suckers which spring up naturally from the roots.

Suckers can deliberately induced by uncovering and injuring a root.