Lakoocha: A Multipurpose Tree of Warm Climate

INTRODUCTION Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb., Moraceae, is a valuable tropical tree species native to India and used for fruit, furniture, timber, and feed. The lakoocha fruits are generally eaten fresh. Each fruit contains 20–30 seeds that are fleshy with thin seed coat. The edible fruit pulp is believed to act as a tonic for the liver. Raw fruits and male flower spike (acidic and astringent) are utilized in pickles and chutney (sauce). The lakoocha tree is also valued for feed and timber. The hardwood sold as lakuch, is comparable to famous teak wood. Lakuch which is durable outdoors as well as under water, is used for construction, furniture, boat making, and cabinet work. Tree bark containing 8.5% tannin is chewed like betel nut, and is also used to treat skin ailments. It yields a durable fiber good for cordage. The wood and roots yield a lavish color dye. Lakoocha seeds and milky latex are purgative. Seeds contain artocarpins (ALA I and ALA II), the isolectins which exhibit high haemagglutination activity (Wongkham 1995). However, the agglutinin (ALA) from Artocarpus lakoocha is not organ specific. Moreover, the haemagglutination activity of ALA was demonstrated in various organs of the plant except fruit flesh. The highest and the lowest activities were found in the seeds (14,400 units/g fwt) and leaves (5 units/g fwt), respectively.