Prekese fruit ( 1 full size )

Prekese is a local Ghana name which refers to Tetrapleura tetraptera. It is an indigenous West Tropical Africa belonging to the family fabaceae. The plant can grow up to 20-25 metres tall. When fruits are matured, they turn brown and fall off. It is then dried before use. The fruit has a pungent aromatic odour attracting it as a key species in soup, stews as a herbal medicine, among others. Its usage is facilitated by its rich nutrients source such as lipids, protein, sugars, vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, sodium, copper, calcium, and antioxidants. Studies has proven that, the seeds, whole fruits and pulps of T. tetraptera comprises of varying degree of concentrations of vitamins and trace elements (iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, selenium, andzinc). It is not surprising that it is utilized in herbal medicine in African countries such as Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria.