Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is one of the most significant trees in
home gardens and perhaps the most widespread and useful tree in the genus
Artocarpus. It is a medium-sized amaranthine tree mostly reaching 8-25 meters
in height that is easily identified through its fruit, the largest among cultivated
plants. Its luscious, fragrant and delicious fruit is eaten or preserved in different
ways (Elevitch and Manner, 2010).
In the Philippines, agriculture is one of the primary sources of income. Different
kinds of crops, fruits and vegetables are planted by farmers in rural areas to supply
the food production in the urban area and in exchange, they would get a profit in
it. Jackfruit is one of the considered backyard crop by the farmers to plant since it
is harvested allyear round with peak period during April or May (Espino & Espino,
n.d). In 2013, Statista reported that the production of Jackfruit in the Philippines
amounted to about 46, 080 metric tons. From the year 2008, a minimal increase in
the annual growth rate of 0.15% had been observed. On the regional level, the
main growing areas are Western Visayas
(1, 813 ha), Zamboanga Peninsula (1, 769 ha), Bicol Region (1, 668 ha), Northern
Mindanao (1, 559 ha) and CALABARZON (1, 557 ha). In the Davao region, 903
ha has been recorded as of the year 2013. In lieu with these results, Jackfruit
production in the country has been constantly growing over the years.
Uses of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
Jackfruit has many uses. It can also be utilized in different environmental
services. It cannot be easily blown by the wind so it is mostly used in making a
fence or hurdle. In the meadow, its fallen fruit can be used as food for the animals.
It can also offer its shade to coffee, pepper, betel nut, and cardamom plants. In
gardens, its thick branches shouldering the dense canopy leaves can provide a
visual screen. Gamboa (2013) aforementioned in a descriptive study that the
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree is easy to grow and is more adaptable
than some of the other common Artocarpus species. It is also not considered an
intrusive species.
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) has also served different functions for
humans. Its seeds has been reported to contain high levels of protein, starch,
calcium, and thiamine (Burkill, 2014). Humans have relished its seeds by cooking
it boiled, roasted or preserved in a syrup like chestnuts. Its fruits are most likely
eaten fresh or is processed into numerous delicacies including jam, jelly, and
chutney. The tree has also been considered to acquire medicinal properties. In
2012, Morton reported that the Chinese considered the fruit’s pulp and seeds as a
stimulant. She also stated that they also found the fruit to be useful in overcoming
the influence of alcohol in the system. Jack leaf’s poultices can be applied hot on
bruises, blows, or wounds to reduce inflammation and help healing (Jackfruit
properties, n.d.). The ash of jackfruit leaves, burned with corn and coconut shells,
is used alone or mixed with coconut oil to heal ulcers. The dried latex yields
artostenone, convertible to artosterone, a compound with marked androgenic
action (having male hormone activity). Mixed with vinegar, the latex promotes
healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings (Swami et. al., 2012).
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) has also been utilize for industrial purposes.
Its branches and trunk are burned for fuel wood. In the province of Cebu,
Philippines, the wood is highly prized for making guitars, ukuleles, and other
musical instruments (Everything Cebu, 2010). The heated latex can be used as
glue for mending chinaware and pottery and as caulking for boats and buckets.
The latex contains resins that may have use in varnishes. The latex also has
bacteriolytic value comparable to that of papaya latex (Gamboa, 2013).
Additionally, the sticky latex is used for trapping birds (birdlime) and for insect
traps. The bark contains 3.3 % tannin (Prakash et. al., 2009). Tannin is a dye,
which is used to give the famous orange-red color to the robes of Buddhist priests.
Sealant
Sealant is a substance used to block the passage of fluids through the surface or
joints or openings in materials,[1] a type of mechanical seal. In building
construction sealant is sometimes synonymous with caulking and also serve the
purposes of blocking dust, sound and heat transmission. Sealants may be weak
or strong, flexible or rigid, permanent or temporary. Sealants are not adhesives but
some have adhesive qualities and are called adhesive-sealants or structural
sealants.
