PHYTOCHEMICALS FROM Artocarpus heterophyllus AND ITS POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS: A REVIEW
JACOB ANU *
Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Artocarpus heterophyllus, belongs to the Moraceae family and predominantly cultivated in tropical or close to tropical areas. It produces edible starchy fruit rich in dietary nutrients. The presence of various bioactive compounds and its diverse potential applications are acknowledged and made it a choice by the researchers and industries. The different parts such as seed, leaf, bark and fruit of the tree are integral components in traditional medicine. Additionally, the tree possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic activities. These biological activities are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. In an industrial scale, it finds wide applications such as in food formulations, water purification, bio-adsorption, in the production of plastics and biofuel, and as a larvicidal agent. This review aims to update the comprehensive information on the phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, medicinal and industrial applications of the jackfruit tree.
Keywords: Artocarpus heterophyllus, jackfruit, pharmacology, phytochemistry, food formulation, bioplastic, biofuel