Exploring the Economic Potential of Thekera Fruit in Assam
The Untapped Potential of Thekera
Thekera is valued for its distinctive sour flavour and rich traditional uses, while its wider economic and nutraceutical potential remains largely unexplored
Guwahati, Sept 27: The Thekera fruit, belonging to the Garcinia genus, flourishes abundantly in Assam's forests and home gardens. Despite its rich traditional significance, it has yet to undergo thorough scientific evaluation, even as the global market for Garcinia products has surged into a multi-billion-dollar industry, largely due to hydroxy citric acid (HCA), a compound recognized for its benefits in weight management and heart health.
Experts assert that Thekera represents a significant economic opportunity, especially as consumers increasingly seek natural health solutions. The global nutraceutical sector, valued at over USD 450 billion, shows a strong demand for plant-based metabolic enhancers.
Currently, standardized extracts from Garcinia cambogia dominate this market. Research indicates that certain species found in Assam may possess comparable or even superior levels of bioactive compounds, which could be harnessed for various applications in contemporary medicine.
For generations, local communities in Assam and the Northeast have utilized various Garcinia species as souring agents in culinary dishes, traditional remedies for digestive issues, and preservatives.
However, this indigenous knowledge, which has been passed down through the ages, is at risk of being lost due to a lack of proper assessment and documentation.
Jatindra Sarma, chairman of the State Expert Appraisal Committee, emphasizes the need for increased focus on Thekera in terms of research, documentation, and commercial use, urging policymakers, researchers, farmers, and the public to take action.
"This genus is unique. Belonging to the Clusiaceae family, Garcinia includes over 400 species found across tropical Asia, Africa, and Polynesia. Assam, with its unique geographical position at the intersection of the Eastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, is home to a remarkable variety of these species.
From lowland tropical forests to subtropical hill slopes, Garcinia plants have adapted and diversified in ways that scientists are only beginning to comprehend," Sarma stated.
Sarma's research compiles scattered data from botanical surveys, ethnobotanical studies, and field observations, creating the first comprehensive overview of Garcinia diversity in Assam.
"The diversity in Assam is much greater than previously acknowledged. I have documented several species that are primarily known to the local populace, including Garcinia pedunculata (Bor Thekera), Garcinia morella (Thekera), Garcinia cowa (Kuji Thekera), and Garcinia xanthochymus (Tup Tenga), each with distinct characteristics, flavors, and potential applications," Sarma, a retired Indian Forest Service officer, explained.
Over the years, Sarma's research has led to the discovery and documentation of new species such as Garcinia assamica, Garcinia kusumae, Garcinia sibeswarii, and Garcinia nervosa from mainland India, as well as new varieties of Kuji Thekera. Some species produce large, golf-ball-sized fruits, while others yield smaller berries.
Some varieties are intensely sour, while others strike a balance between sweet and tart. A few species are not edible but could be cultivated as horticultural crops under controlled conditions.
"Each species has unique attributes. Garcinia pedunculata, which is endemic to Northeast India and neighboring Myanmar, produces large fruits that can exceed a kilogram in weight. Dried slices of this fruit are a staple in Assamese households, used to add a tangy flavor to fish curries and lentils. Additionally, traditional healers have used it to treat various ailments, including biliousness and rheumatism, and even as a cardiac tonic. Garcinia morella produces a yellow resin from which gamboge, a bitter gum, is extracted, historically used as a purgative and now as a natural pigment," he added.
The sustainable harvesting and processing of Garcinia products could significantly enhance rural livelihoods. Unlike many cash crops that require intensive resources and diminish biodiversity, Garcinia trees thrive in mixed agroforestry systems, often planted along garden boundaries or intercropped with areca nut and betel leaf.
"This indicates that economic growth does not have to come at the expense of ecological health," he concluded.