Detarium microcarpum: A novel source of nutrition and medicine: A review

•Detarium microcarpum is a tree indigenous to Africa that grows mostly in the dry areas of Sudan, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.•Detarium microcarpum has various properties such as antioxidant, Hepatitis C inhibitor and antidiabetic.•Seed flour is traditionally used as an emulsifying, and thickening agent. Detarium microcarpum is a plant indigenous to Africa, which occurs naturally in many African countries, particularly in savannah regions. Its leaves and fruits are used mainly as food and as folk medicine. It has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and hepatitis C inhibitor properties and has been traditionally utilised in cancer treatment. This review examines published work on the nutritional, pharmacological, and traditional uses of Detarium microcarpum. This plant may become valuable if the fruit, stems, roots, and leaves are extracted for nutraceutical purposes.