Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties
Abstract Litchi chinensis is a tree in the Sapindaceae family. It is originally from China but grows in countries with tropical or subtropical climates. It has great commercial value because of its juiciness and fresh pulp. It is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds (procyanidin type A...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Food Production, Processing and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43014-024-00275-z |
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| author | Guillermo Castillo-Olvera José Sandoval-Cortes Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes Jorge E. Wong-Paz Olga B. Álvarez-Pérez María L. FloresLópez Cristóbal N. Aguilar |
| author_facet | Guillermo Castillo-Olvera José Sandoval-Cortes Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes Jorge E. Wong-Paz Olga B. Álvarez-Pérez María L. FloresLópez Cristóbal N. Aguilar |
| author_sort | Guillermo Castillo-Olvera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Litchi chinensis is a tree in the Sapindaceae family. It is originally from China but grows in countries with tropical or subtropical climates. It has great commercial value because of its juiciness and fresh pulp. It is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds (procyanidin type A and B, epicatechin, rutin, and quercetin). The compounds present in litchi have been reported to confer functional properties, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical properties, and are believed to have the potential to develop new functional foods or products. This review summarizes the botanical characteristics and cultivation methods of litchis. Its nutritional composition has also been described, which includes a macronutrient and micronutrient profile; its functional properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential; and the relationship between bioactive compounds and their medicinal potential. Despite their beneficial qualities, litchi fruits face significant challenges in terms of conservation. Rapid browning of the pericarp is a major problem resulting in considerable product loss. Therefore, producers must develop sustainable strategies for the conservation and valorization of fruits and their byproducts. Therefore, it is necessary to look for innovative solutions that take advantage of the bioactive properties of litchi, which can be used to develop innovative pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic products. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2268dfb5b6214b9f986558129a1887cf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2661-8974 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Food Production, Processing and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-2268dfb5b6214b9f986558129a1887cf2025-01-05T12:41:53ZengBMCFood Production, Processing and Nutrition2661-89742025-01-017112010.1186/s43014-024-00275-zLitchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical propertiesGuillermo Castillo-Olvera0José Sandoval-Cortes1Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes2Jorge E. Wong-Paz3Olga B. Álvarez-Pérez4María L. FloresLópez5Cristóbal N. Aguilar6Grupo de Investigación de Bioprocesos y Bioproductos, Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de CoahuilaGrupo de Investigación de Bioprocesos y Bioproductos, Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de CoahuilaGrupo de Investigación de Bioprocesos y Bioproductos, Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de CoahuilaFacultad de Estudios Profesionales, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis PotosíGreencorp Biorganiks de MexicoCentro de Investigación E Innovación Científica y Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de CoahuilaGrupo de Investigación de Bioprocesos y Bioproductos, Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de CoahuilaAbstract Litchi chinensis is a tree in the Sapindaceae family. It is originally from China but grows in countries with tropical or subtropical climates. It has great commercial value because of its juiciness and fresh pulp. It is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds (procyanidin type A and B, epicatechin, rutin, and quercetin). The compounds present in litchi have been reported to confer functional properties, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical properties, and are believed to have the potential to develop new functional foods or products. This review summarizes the botanical characteristics and cultivation methods of litchis. Its nutritional composition has also been described, which includes a macronutrient and micronutrient profile; its functional properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential; and the relationship between bioactive compounds and their medicinal potential. Despite their beneficial qualities, litchi fruits face significant challenges in terms of conservation. Rapid browning of the pericarp is a major problem resulting in considerable product loss. Therefore, producers must develop sustainable strategies for the conservation and valorization of fruits and their byproducts. Therefore, it is necessary to look for innovative solutions that take advantage of the bioactive properties of litchi, which can be used to develop innovative pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic products. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s43014-024-00275-zBioactive compoundsFunctional propertiesLitchi chinensisTraditional medicine |
| spellingShingle | Guillermo Castillo-Olvera José Sandoval-Cortes Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes Jorge E. Wong-Paz Olga B. Álvarez-Pérez María L. FloresLópez Cristóbal N. Aguilar Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties Food Production, Processing and Nutrition Bioactive compounds Functional properties Litchi chinensis Traditional medicine |
| title | Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties |
| title_full | Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties |
| title_fullStr | Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties |
| title_short | Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties |
| title_sort | litchi chinensis nutritional functional and nutraceutical properties |
| topic | Bioactive compounds Functional properties Litchi chinensis Traditional medicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43014-024-00275-z |
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