Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber, Boroi, Indian Jujube, Chinee Apple or Cottony Jujube) is a tropical fruit tree species, belonging to the family Rhamnaceae. It is native to southern Asia (mainly India) though it is also cultivated and naturalised elsewhere in the dry tropics, notably in Africa. It is a serious environmental weed in Northern Australia.The tree grows very fast even in dry regions, reaching heights of 6-12 m with a lifespan of 25 years or more. The leaves are broadly ovate, 4-8 cm long, with a rounded apex. The fruit is a soft, juicy, drupe that is 2.5 cm diameter and sweet in taste. The fruit ripen at different times even on a single tree and look golden yellow when fully ripe. The size and shape is variable, with selected cultivars having larger fruit. The fruit is eaten raw or pickled or used in beverages. It is quite nutritious and rich in vitamin C.
The fatty-acid methyl ester of Z. mauritiana seed oil meets all of the major biodiesel requirements in the USA (ASTM D 6751-02, ASTM PS 121-99), Germany (DIN V 51606) and European Union (EN 14214). The average oil yield is 4.95 kg oil/tree or 1371 kg oil/hectare, and arid or semi-arid regions may be utilized due to its drought resistance.
