Pandanus amaryllifolius

Pandanus amaryllifolius is a true cultigen, and is believed to have been domesticated in ancient times. It is sterile and can only reproduce vegetatively through suckers or cuttings. It was first described from specimens from the Maluku Islands, and the rare presence of male flowers in these specimens may indicate that it is the origin of the species. However, as no other wild specimens have been found, this is still conjecture. The plant is grown widely throughout Southeast Asia. It has also been introduced to South Asia via Indonesia, where they are grown extensively, though South Asian populations have low genetic diversity.[2][3][4]

The characteristic aroma of pandan is caused by the aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, found in the lower epidermal papillae[5]; the compound gives white bread, jasmine rice, and basmati rice (as well as bread flowers Vallaris glabra) their typical smell.[6] Though the plant is unknown in the wild, it is widely cultivated. It is an upright, green plant with fan-shaped sprays of long, narrow, blade-like leaves and woody aerial roots. The plant is sterile, with flowers only growing very rarely, and is propagated by cuttings.

Pandan cake, a light, soft and fluffy chiffon cake uses pandan leaf as green colouring and flavouring agent.

In Indonesia it is commonly called pandan or pandan wangi (fragrant pandan). The green juice acquired from its leaf is used extensively in Indonesian cuisine as green food colouring and flavouring agents that gave pleasant aroma for kue, a tapioca, flour or glutinous rice-based traditional cakes; including klepon, kue putu, dadar gulung, lapis legit, and pandan cake. The tied knot of bruised pandan leaf is also added into fragrant coconut rice to enhance the aroma, such as in nasi uduk and nasi liwet.[7]

In Sri Lanka, it is called rampé and it is grown almost in every household. Most of the Sri Lankan dishes use these leaves for aroma along with curry leaves. In India it is called annapurna leaves[8]; in Bangladesh, it is called pulao pata (পোলাও পাতা ); and in the Maldives, it is called ran’baa along with the other variety of pandan there (Pandanus fascicularis), and is used to enhance the flavor of pulao, biryani, and sweet coconut rice pudding, or payesh if basmati rice is not used. It acts as a cheap substitute for basmati fragrance, as one can use normal, nonfragrant rice and with pandan the dish tastes and smells like basmati is used. The leaves are used either fresh or dried, and are commercially available in frozen form in Asian grocery stores of nations where the plant does not grow. They have a nutty, botanical fragrance that is used as a flavor enhancer in many Asian cuisines, especially in rice dishes, desserts, and cakes.[9]

The leaves are sometimes steeped in coconut milk, which is then added to the dish. They may be tied in a bunch and cooked with the food. They may be woven into a basket which is used as a pot for cooking rice. Pandan chicken, (Thai: ไก่ห่อใบเตย, kai ho bai toei), is a dish of chicken parts wrapped in pandan leaves and fried. The leaves are also used as a flavoring for desserts such as pandan cake and sweet beverages. Filipino cuisine uses pandan as a flavoring in some coconut milk-based dishes as well as desserts like buko pandan.[10] It is also used widely in rice-based pastries such as suman and numerous sweet drinks and desserts.[11]

Bottled pandan extract is available in shops, and often contains green food coloring.

P. amaryllifolius leaves have a number of local medicinal uses. Leaf extracts have been thought to reduce fever, relieve indigestion and flatulence, and act as a cardiotonic.[12]

The leaves are used in perfume industry and also medicinally important as diuretic, anti-diabetic and for skin diseases.[13] Leaves are soaked in coconut oil for several days and the oil is then used for rheumatic problems. Infusion of leaves is taken internally as a sedative in restlessness. In Thailand, this is a traditional medicine for treating diabetes.[14] Studies have established significant repellent activity of P. amaryllifolius against American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana L.)[15], but similar effects against other species of cockroaches have not yet been looked into. P. amaryllifolius has the secondary benefit of adding visual and olfactory pleasure to humans. Traditionally, leaves are used as medicinal bath for women after childbirth in Malaysia and also for hair wash. It is also used for preparing lotion along with ash and vinegar to treat measles, as purgative, in the treatment of leprosy, sore throat and as diuretic in Philippines.[16] In addition, leaf extract has been reported to possess antioxidant properties.[17] [18]Traditionally a mixture of Henna (Lawsonia inermis), Limau purut ([[Citrus hystrix]]), coconut milk, milk and P. amaryllifolius leaf are used to clean hair and to provide fragrance.[19] The leaves are used as food flavouring and in traditional medicine in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.[20] Hot water extracts of the root of this plant (reported as P. odorus Ridl.) show hypoglycaemic activity, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid has been isolated as the active principle.[21][22][23] Some suggest that P. amaryllifolius essence can be a possible substitute to vanilla essence.[24]

The leaves possess a pleasant aroma and can be used as natural air fresheners.[25] In Thailand, cab drivers sometimes use pandan for this purpose.[26]

• Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia

• Li J. and Ho S.H. (2003). Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) as a Natural Cockroach Repellent. Proceedings of the 9th National Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (2003-09-13).
• Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2005). Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0

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• Spices: P. amaryllifolius