Manilkara zapota

Sapodilla

Manilkara zapota, commonly known as sapodilla, is a versatile tropical evergreen prized for its sweet, malty fruit. Beyond its culinary appeal, this plant holds significant medicinal value in traditional practices, often utilized for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties, offering a natural approach to supporting holistic wellness and health.

  • Scientific name: Manilkara zapota
  • Family: Sapotaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Sapotaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Manilkara.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ericales WCVP
Family Sapotaceae WCVP
Genus Manilkara WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Manilkara zapota, is known by various common names across different languages and regions. In French, it is referred to as the sapotiillier, while in German, it is called the Breiapfelbaum. In Russian, the plant is known as Саподилла, and it holds the name ચીકુ in Gujarati. Additionally, in Chinese, it is commonly called 人心果.
Language Common Name Source
fr sapotillier Wikidata
de Breiapfelbaum Wikidata
ru Саподилла Wikidata
gu ચીકુ Wikidata
zh 人心果 Wikidata
vi hồng xiêm Wikidata
ca sapote Wikidata
ar سبوتة مألوفة Wikidata
lbe Саподилла Wikidata
id Sawo manila Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct tropical regions across the globe. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Its range extends to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the borders of Bangladesh. Within the Indo-China region, the species can be found inhabiting both the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. Finally, its distribution reaches the Southwestern Pacific, where it is located in Vanuatu.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is. WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indo-China Andaman Is. WCVP
Indo-China Nicobar Is. WCVP
Southwestern Pacific Vanuatu WCVP
South-Central Pacific Society Is. WCVP
Southeastern U.S.A. Florida WCVP
Mexico Mexico Central WCVP
Mexico Mexico Northeast WCVP
Mexico Mexico Gulf WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Manilkara zapota or sapodilla, utilizes various parts for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. The thick, leathery leaves are often studied for their potential antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds. Within the fruit, the sweet and creamy fruit pulp is highly valued for its energy-boosting nutrients and digestive benefits. Additionally, the hard seeds, while typically not consumed directly, contain tannins and other chemical constituents that are of interest in pharmacological research.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 3 ★★☆☆☆
seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit pulp 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Manilkara zapota has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DPPH, MYR, aldehydes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoid.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
DPPH 1 ★☆☆☆☆
MYR 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aldehydes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiac glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myricitrin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sugars 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Manilkara zapota has 5 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antipyretic, Antitumor.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antinociceptive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Manilkara zapota has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium.

Total uses
16
Scientific sources
17

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterobacter aerogenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Salmonella typhimurium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anti-oxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arthralgia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial infection 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆