Gac Fruit : Advances in Cultivation, Utilization, Health Benefits and Processing Technologies

Gac fruit, Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng, is rich in nutrients such as carotenoids (particularly ß-carotene and lycopene), fatty acids, vitamin E, polyphenol compounds and flavonoids. This book provides the latest research on this fruit, from cultivation through to novel processing technologies for health products. It addresses several techniques for propagation and cultivation in order to increase the production and quality of Gac fruit, including traditionally used parts of the fruit (aril) and those whose value has not yet been maximized (peel, pulp and seed). This plant has the potential to be a high value crop, particularly as parts of the fruit can be processed into nutrient supplements and natural colorants. Currently only the aril is commercially harvested, and this presents opportunities for upcycling the rest of the fruit. As such, this book contains special emphasis on: · Improving yield and fruit quality. · Extraction methods of Gac oil rich in ß-carotene and lycopene from the aril and peel. · Encapsulation of Gac oil and applications in various food products. · Nutritional values and bioactive compounds of Gac pulp and peel. · Processing and utilization of Gac seeds. · The market for Gac target products. Practical applied technologies such as microwave drying, heat pump drying, freeze drying, ultrasound assisted extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction, encapsulation techniques are all presented. This is an essential reference text for academics, researchers and graduate students in Gac fruit cultivation, food processing, science and nutrition. Product developers in health food and health supplements will also find it valuable.