ABSTRACT
Paradise tree is native to southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean region (including Bahamas and Greater Antilles). The species is adapted to warm, humid, tropical regions and occurs in a wide range of habitats. Major components of the fat from paradise tree are oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. In Central and South America and in India, the seed oil is widely used as cooking oil and consumed as vegetable fat preparations such as margarine. The oil is said to be suitable for use as cocoa butter extender in chocolate products and in confectionary and bakery products. Paradise tree has proven to be an extremely useful source of edible oil, but is a crop that is best grown in tropical areas. It has achieved good market penetration and has potential to be used additionally for biofuel and other industrial oil applications.
