Apuch Fruit: A Vitamin A-Rich Food of the Atolls

by Dr. Lois Englberger

Recent research on the amazing orange-fleshed Apuch fruit (Crataeva speciosa) shows that it contains high levels of provitamin A and total carotenoids, higher than the levels of many other vitamin A-rich foods, such as Karat and Taiwang banana (see Table 1). This fruit is popular among peoples of many atolls of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It is called Apuch or Afuch in Chuuk, Apuhs in Mokil, and Yafuch, Abyuuch, or Abich in Yap. Apparently there is no English name for this food.

In Mokil it is eaten ripe and raw. It is well-liked for its sweet taste. In Chuuk and Yap it is also cooked as a staple food on some islands. In Chuuk the fruit is also used to make marmar garlands. Informants from Pingelap and Kapingamarangi said that they know the fruit, but that most people do not eat it.

One of the most striking characteristics of the fruit is its strong odor. Some find it too strong. However, Amato Elymore, from Namoluk of the Mortlock Islands, said "We eat a lot of these on our island, they taste really good." Kipier Lippwe, also from the Mortlocks, pointed out, " We consider Apuch a delicacy." Santos Hainrick from Tol Island, Chuuk explains that people there may eat it boiled or also cooked in coconut cream. In Yap the fruit is also used as an infant food, either cooked or raw. Although this fruit is not common on Pohnpei (main island), there are a few trees growing in Sokehs, as informants have reported.

The oblong fruits, about 4 inches in length, grow on a tree. They have a light green skin with white spots scattered over the skin surface. The edible flesh is orange when ripe. As orange coloration is an indication of carotenoid content, efforts were made to have them analyzed. Samples were frozen and carried to the DSM Nutritional Products Laboratory in Basel, Switzerland in December 2003. They were analyzed in March 2004 for carotenoids, including beta-carotene, the most important provitamin A carotenoid.

Provitamin A carotenoids protect against vitamin A deficiency, which is related to increased infection and mortality rates, and against anemia. Recent research also shows that carotenoid-rich foods may protect against diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

The only other known analysis of Apuch is by a group of researchers from the University of Hawaii in the 1950s. They did not analyze for carotenoids but they did analyze for Vitamin C and found that Apuch has a level equal to that of fresh orange and citrus.

Thus, people are encouraged to grow and eat Apuch for these rich health benefits and to give them to their young children to help them grow strong and healthy.

Thanks are given to the Task Force Sight and Life from Switzerland for providing the funds for the analyses and for their support in identifying vitamin A-rich foods in FSM.