A Review on Nutritional, Medicinal and Bio-active Compound of Dragon Fruit Hylocereus polyrhizus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose

Abstract

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus F.A.C.Weber) is a popular fruit crop known for its enormous medicinal potential that has drawn the attention of numerous researchers in recent years. It is a rare tropical fruit that has many favorable impacts on human health because it has powerful natural antioxidants and bioactive components, which have a great nutritional value. It contains a lot of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. Improved digestion is one of dragon fruit's most well-known health advantages. It has a lot of fiber, which can aid in controlling bowel motions and avoiding constipation. Dragon fruit also has natural digestive enzymes that can aid in food digestion and nutrient absorption. Higher medicinal benefits include lowering diabetes and hypertension. Bioactive compounds found in these parts have a variety of beneficial biological effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer capabilities. These include steroids, saponins, betalains, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, terpenoids, and carotenoids, all of which have been shown to be more effective than synthetic drugs in the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, as well as pathogenic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Furthermore, it demonstrates resilience to numerous abiotic stressors and needs relatively little water for growth and development. Therefore, it might be a fruit crop that is both healthy and profitable for sections of the country that are rainfed as well as degraded lands with good resources and abiotic stress. Due to its ecological qualities, advantages to commercial value and human health the dragon fruit has developed into a productive product for the economy and a catalyst for the sustainable development of the country, particularly in the promotion of sustainable use of ecosystem and biodiversity. The current study focuses on the nutritional and medicinal benefits of the dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus F.A.C.Weber).