Sudanese Pharmacists Extract Antibiotic from Lalob Fruit
28 June, 2026
Khartoum, (Sudanow) – The lalob fruit, harvested from the resilient higlig tree, is considered one of Sudan’s most valuable natural products. Resembling dried dates, the fruit is also known as “Indian almond.” It is picked after drying on the tree, which itself can live for decades and thrives across Sudan and tropical regions. Traditionally, lalob has been praised for its health benefits, including repairing damaged liver tissue, aiding diabetes management, and easing digestive problems. In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of pharmacy students at Karary University has successfully extracted an antibiotic from lalob fruit.
To learn more about this project, Sudanow spoke with Dr. Yusra Ahmed Rahmatallah, who explained the origins and challenges of the research.
Dr. Yusra began: “Initially, we planned to develop a treatment for stomach bacteria using pomegranate peel and licorice root. After consultations, however, we shifted our focus to lalob fruit.” The team consisted of six members:
Yusra Ahmed Rahmatallah
Anfal Abbakar Ahmed Ishaq
Abubakr Ahmed Sati
Shurooq Ali Malik
Mushriqa Sufyan Khalafallah
Abubakr Saleh Buyah
Yusra added: “We faced many obstacles in the early stages. At one point, the container holding our extract broke, forcing us to restart the experiment under tight deadlines. Despite these setbacks, our supervisors praised the work, ranking it among the top three research projects in the Faculty of Pharmacy. The video of our defense went viral on social media, drawing wide acclaim from young people and citizens alike.”
Dr. Yusra concluded: “The product is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. We are now considering developing it into an anti-dandruff shampoo, as lalob fruit contains high levels of natural saponins.”
The journalist Suna Bashir commented on the significance of the study: “The brilliance of this research lies not only in uncovering the antimicrobial properties of lalob seed extract, but also in highlighting the hidden scientific value of what was long dismissed as waste. The study proves that what we discard may hold promising medicinal benefits. Nature still abounds with treasures awaiting discovery and application for humanity’s benefit by our young researchers who deserve recognition. This achievement marks a beautiful step toward harnessing local resources and advancing research into natural products of medical importance.
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