INVESTIGATION OF THE FRUIT OF THE STRYCHNOS SPECIES

Abstract

The oil contents of the fruits of Strychnos coccoloides, S. dysophylla and S. innocua have been determined, as well as the chemical characteristics of the oils. The oil content of the fruit pulp ranged from 0·85 per cent in the ease of the S. coccoloides to 3· 8 per cent in the ease of S. innocua. The oil content of the kernels was 0·5 per cent. These results do not confirm a report by Lehmann that the kernels of S. innocua contain 40 per cent of oil and are a potential source of oil. S. dysophylla is popularly known as the "poisonous klapper" but the fruit pulp and kernels were found to be non-toxic to rats. The fruit of the species, however. contains a bitter principle, the nature of which was not established.