| Abstrakt: |
Guava is commonly known for its food and nutritional value across the world. The medicinal properties of guava fruit, leaf and other parts of the plant are also well known in traditional system of medicine. Since each part of guava plant possesses economic value, it is cultivated on commercial scale. Guava because of its high nutritional value is considered as poor man's apple in tropics. Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, carotenoids, lectins, vitamins, fiber and fatty acids. Guava fruit is higher in vitamin C (80 mg/100 g of fruit weight)than citrus andcontains an appreciable amount of vitamin A as well. Guava fruits are also a good source of pectin, which is considered a useful dietary fiber responsible for bowel movement. Its fruits are very rich in antioxidants and vitamins and high in lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. Guava being source of flavonoids and quercetin demonstrates antibacterial, antidiarrhea and antidysentery activity, relaxes intestinal muscle and inhibits bowel contractions. Several value-added products, viz. jam, jelly, cheese, marmalade, nectar, squash, dried powder, ice cream, etc. can be prepared from guava fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
