Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.): a rich source of bioactive compounds and its potential health benefits |
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| Authors: | Hoang V. Chuyen Minh H. Nguyen Paul D. Roach John B. Golding Sophie E. Parks |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia;2. Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot, Daklak, Vietnam;3. School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia;4. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) is a tropical vine originating from South and South‐East Asia. Gac fruit has traditionally been used in Asia to provide red colour for cuisines and enhance visional health. Recently, Gac fruit has emerged as a potential source of carotenoids, especially lycopene and β‐carotene. Carotenoids and other identified bioactives from this fruit including phenolics, flavonoids and trypsin inhibitors are associated with many beneficial bioactivities such as antioxidant, anticancer and provitamin A activities. In addition to the traditional utilisation, commercial products like Gac powder and Gac oil have been manufactured as natural colourants and medicinal supplements. This paper is a review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition, biological activities and processing of Gac fruit. |
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| Keywords: | Biological activity Gac oil Gac powder lycopene β ‐carotene |
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