UPM Institutional Repository

Underutilised fruits: a review of phytochemistry and biological properties


Citation

Salahuddin Mirfat, Ahmad Hasan and Amin, Ismail and Kassim, Nur Kartinee and Muhajir, Hamid and Mohd Shukri, Mat Ali (2018) Underutilised fruits: a review of phytochemistry and biological properties. Journal of Food Bioactives, 1 (1). pp. 2-30. ISSN 2637-8752; ESSN: 2637-8779

Abstract

Underutilised fruits are not only important sources of food and nutrition, but also secure household income especially for rural and farm communities. However, some of the underutilised fruits have not received much attention as compared to commercial fruits. This could be due to their lack of knowledge of their potential values. Hence, information about their health promoting properties is critical to increase the value of underutilised fruit species to enhance their preservation and sustainable use in strengthening food, nutrition, health and livelihood security. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the phytochemical properties and biological activities of underutilised fruit species grown in Malaysia focussing on health promoting aspects. With regard to phytochemistry, only 21 species of underutilised fruits have been identified and quantified. Phytochemical investigations of various parts of the fruits have revealed the presence of over 100 phytochemicals which are phenolics, terpenoids, carotenoids and other miscellaneous compounds. About 51 underutilised fruit species have been explored for interesting biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, cytotoxicity, antiatherosclerotic, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activities) supporting their diverse traditional uses. Different parts of the fruits have been analysed mainly in vitro and barely in vivo, with pulp being the most dominant. Of all the underutilised fruits studied, Mangifera species and Canarium odontophyllum have been the major focus for researchers. The gaps obtained from this review create further research opportunities to add to the current knowledge of health promoting properties of underutilised fruits in Malaysia. More studies are needed to confirm the health significance and explain their mechanisms of action in order to fully understand the real potential of this underutilised fruit species.


Download File

Full text not available from this repository.

Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Faculty of Science
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.31665/JFB.2018.1124
Publisher: International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
Keywords: Underutilised fruits; Traditional uses; Phytochemical compounds; Biological activities
Depositing User: Mohamad Jefri Mohamed Fauzi
Date Deposited: 12 Jan 2023 07:46
Last Modified: 12 Jan 2023 07:46
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.31665/JFB.2018.1124
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/74364
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item