Sauropus albicans var. genuinus Müll.Arg., not validly publ.
Sauropus albicans var. intermedius Müll.Arg.
Sauropus albicans var. zeylanicus (Wight) Müll.Arg.
Sauropus convexus J.J.Sm.
Sauropus gardnerianus Wight
Sauropus indicus Wight
Sauropus macranthus Fern.-Vill., nom. illeg.
Sauropus oblongifolius Hook.f.
Sauropus parviflorus Pax & K.Hoffm.
Sauropus scandens C.B.Rob.
Sauropus sumatranus Miq.
Sauropus zeylanicus Wight
Breynia androgyna, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. Its multiple upright stems can reach heights of 2.5 meters and bear dark green oval leaves of length 5–6 centimetres.
It is native to India, Bangladesh, Indochina, southern China including Hainan, Malesia, and New Guinea.[2] It inhabits tropical and subtropical humid lowland forests, where it grows on brushy slopes and sunny forest margins from 100 to 400 m elevation.[1] It is cultivated up to 1,300 m.[3]
It contains high level of provitamin A carotenoids, especially in freshly picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. The more the leaves mature, the higher the nutrient content.[4]
One study has suggested that excessive consumption of uncooked and juiced katuk leaves can cause lung damage due to its high concentrations of the alkaloidpapaverine.[5]
Cultural usage
It is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in South and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability.[6] It can be cultivated specifically for edible asparagus-like stems using heavy fertilization, this cultivation variant is known as "Sabah vegetable." The stems are otherwise not edible.[7]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the flowers, leaves, and small purplish fruits of Breynia androgyna has been consumed and used traditionally since ancient times by the Javanese and Sundanese ethnic groups as the alternative medicine in a form of Jamu (traditional concoction native to Java island, originally formulated by the Javanese) to improve the circulation of blocked breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.[8] Interestingly, according to modern research findings on the efficacy of this herb, indicates that the extract of the Breynia androgyna leaf increases the expression of prolactin and oxytocin genes 15 to 25 times in breastfeeding mice.[9]
Malaysia
In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, the shoot tips have been sold in cuisine and used similarly like the asparagus; the locals usually cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make a soup.
Medical
Various studies have confirmed that Breynia androgyna has notable phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities.[10]
Although the exact cause is unknown, an association with bronchiolitis obliterans and the consumption of large quantities of uncooked Breynia androgyna leaves or raw juice leading to lung failure has been reported.[11][12][13]
Nutrition
Breynia androgyna is a good source of provitamin A carotenoids, and vitamin C and vitamin B.[4]
^ abFletcher, Rob. "Sauropus androgynus (sweet leaf bush)". The Australian New Crops Newsletter. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Sauropus has a high level of provita-min A carotenoids, especially in freshly picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. Nutrient content of the leaves is usually higher in more mature leaves.
^Kao, C.H.; Ho, Y.J.; Wu, C.L.; ChangLai, S.P. (1999). "Using 99mTc-DTPA Radioaerosol Inhalation Lung Scintigraphies to Detect the Lung Injury Induced by Consuming Sauropus androgynus Vegetable and Comparison with Conventional Pulmonary Function Tests". Respiration. 66 (1). Karger AG: 46–51. doi:10.1159/000029336. PMID9973690. S2CID38378580.
^Padmavathi, P.; Rao, M. Prabhakara (April 1990). "Nutritive value of Sauropus androgynus leaves". Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. 40 (2): 107–113. doi:10.1007/BF02193767. PMID2385571. S2CID21391484.
^Hutton, Wendy (2004). A Cook's Guide to Asian Vegetables. Singapore: Periplus Editions. pp. 52–53. ISBN0794600786.
^Tilaar, Martha; Widjaja, Bernard T. (2015). The Tale of Jamu: The Green Gold of Indonesia. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. p. 162. ISBN9786020322803.
^National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN978-0-309-48834-1. PMID30844154. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
