miracle-berry
Thaumatococcus daniellii · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (24 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Miracle-berry, scientifically known as Thaumatococcus daniellii, is a remarkable tropical plant native to West Africa. Renowned for its unique protein, thaumatin, it possesses an extraordinary ability to transform sour flavors into intense sweetness. This natural sweetener offers a fascinating botanical solution for sugar reduction in various culinary applications.
Names
Common Names
- miracle-berry
- miracle-fruit
- miracle fruit
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Thaumatococcus
- Phrynium daniellii
- Monostiche daniellii
- Donax danielii
German:
- Katamfe
- Thaumatococcus danielli
- Katamfe
French:
- Katemfe
- Katemfe
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Thaumatococcus danielliiSynonyms
- Donax danielii
- Phrynium daniellii
- Monostiche daniellii
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 Zingiberales, it falls under the family Marantaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Thaumatococcus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Marantaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Thaumatococcus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Thaumatococcus daniellii, is primarily found within the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat encompasses several specific countries across this diverse geographical belt. Specifically, it can be located in the nation of Burkina. The plant's distribution also extends through Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, its presence is recorded in both Ivory Coast and Liberia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the miracle berry, utilizes various components for different purposes, most notably its fruit and leaf. The fruit is the most significant part for human use, containing the seeds that produce thaumatin, an incredibly intense natural sweetener used widely in the food industry. Additionally, the large, lush green leaf of the plant is often utilized in various cultures for practical applications, such as wrapping food or serving as a decorative element in tropical landscapes.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Thaumatococcus daniellii has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, Cardiac Glycosides, FAT, Flavonoids.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ash | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiac Glycosides | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IRON | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MAGNESIUM | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PHOSPHORUS | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| THAUMATIN | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannin | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |