A brief review on: Hylocereus undatus (Dragon fruit)

The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is indigenous to the Americas. Its name comes from it's appearance leather-like skin and scaly spikes on the exterior of the fruits. It is also known as 'pitahaya', strawberry pear, Nobel woman and queen of the night throughout the world Hylocereus undatus is a fast-growing, semi epiphytic vine. The economic lifespan of dragon fruit is more than 20 years and during the full-bearing period, plants are laden with fruits. Dragon fruit market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period. Asia-pacific dominates the dragon fruit market both in term production of well as consumption. The article include brief overview of propagation, cultivation, botanical description, taxonomy, photo chemistry and increasing market rate of Hylocereus undatus.

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Introduction

Herbal medicine has now become an integral part of standard healthcare as they are both traditionally as well as ongoing scientific research. The fruit Hylocereus undatus is also known as dragon fruit and pitaya belonging to family Cactaceae. It is an native fruit originating from Mexico and central and south America. It has been cultivated in Vietnam at least from 100 years. Although the pitaya is native to the tropical areas of north, central and south America it is now cultivated world-wide due to its commercial interest, not demanding cultivation requirement i.e. high drought tolerance, easy adaptation to light intensity and high temperature a wide range of tolerance to different soil salinities and benefits to human health (Nobel and La Barrera 2004; Nic et al. 2015; Crane et al. 2020 M) [16,17,18] . it is commercially cultivated in over 20 tropical and sub-tropical countries such as Indonesia, Colombia, Israel, The Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, northern Australia, Okinawa (Japan) Sri-Lanka, southern China, southern Florida, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, The west indies. Pitaya is an exotic fruit due to its shape and very attractive colours of flesh and skin.eg -red flesh with pink skin (Hylocereus polyrhizus; Briton and rose 1920) white flesh with pink skin (Hylocereus undatus, Briton 1918) or redpurple flesh with red skin (Hylocereus costaricensis; Briton and rose 1909) or megalanthus (K Schum ex vaupel) Maran 1953 (Synonym Hylocereus megalanthus)]. The high proportion of the population and economic as the set of Vietnam are located in coastle lowlands, deltas and rular areas which explains why Vietnam has been ranked among the fire countries likely to be most affected by climate change (World bank group 2020) [19] . Particularly, climate changes impact agricultural production due to the increase of salt water instruction and lack of irrigation water in the dry season. Moreover, drought have become a recurrent problem in the miffing river data, already threatened by the increases saline intrusion in the dry season, seriously affecting the crops (Us forest service 2011).

Botanical description Fruit

The fruit is flashy Berry which is oblong and about 4.5 inches (11 cm) thick with red or yellow skin peel with scales and with or without spines the colour of pulp may be pink white red or magenta depending on the species seeds seed are very small numerous and black embedded among the pulp.

Flowers

Flowers are unit hermaphraditic, however some pitaya species and cultivars are self-incompatible. The extremely edible white flower are very large, very fragrant, nocturnal, bell formed and may be inches long(36 cm) and 9 inches wide (23 cm).The stames and labed stigmas are cream colored. 3 to 5 spherical bottons ordinarily emerge on the stem margin; two to three of those could change into flower buds in about 13 days.

Propagation

The H. undatus is most often propagated through cuttings obtained by serving foot -long lateral branches at a stem segment. making a slant cut on the stem end to be inserted into the soil to impressing rooting cutting should be cured in a cool, dry area for 5-7 days before planting mature stems are preferred for cutting, as they are more resistance to insect and snail damage. Cutting may be planted directly in the filed or in pots using a well-drained plotting medium.

Cultivation

Commercial plantings can be done it high density with between 1100 to 1350 plants per hectare, plants can take up to 5 years to come into full commercial production of which stage yields of 20 to 30 tons per hectare can be expected.

Hylocereus has customer -made to measure in dry tropical climates with a moderate quantity of rain. The dragon fruit sets the cactus -like trees 30-50 days once flowering and might typically have 5-6 cycles of harvests each year in various regions. Its free cultivation to become a weed and assisted as cuckoo invasive in some countries.

Phytochemistry initial phytochemical examination shows that the methanol and water extract of pitaya or dragon fruit seeds contained alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, oils, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, coumarins and proteins pitaya contains protine, steroids, carbohydrate Alkaloids tanning alkaloids tenants flavonoids and phenolic compounds alkaloids that are present are cholinesterase inhibitors that can be used for Alzheimers disease treat like donepezil, tacrine, rivastigmine and Valentine coumarin that are present in both extracts like phenyl propanoids are antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tubercular, anti-virap, antifungal and anti -Inflammatory. Saponins includes lupane glycerine, betullnic acid and oleanolic acid can be used to treat type 2 diabetes and also chronic kidney disease.

The oil of pitaya seeds contain omega 3 fatty acids conjugates Linoleic acid, phytosterols and medium chain triglycerides that are beneficial in treating obesity and bone health both condensed tannis such as proanthocyonidins and anthocyanidins and ellagitannins are present with polyphenols being present in the peel. Pitaya peels contain higher amounts of flavonoids that have metal chelating and radial scavenging properties such as Kaempferol, isorhamnetin, quercetin and kaempferol dragon fruit phytoconstituents. These factors are helping in changing the market dynamics of dragon fruit. However, its small shelf life is a restraint in its growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global dragon fruit market

While the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic had significant effects on most industries worldwide, the Global Dragon Fruit Market was no exception and witnessed dual impacts of the global crisis. As the governments of different countries worldwide imposed stringent movement restrictions & lockdowns to curb the spread of this disease owing to its severity, people shifted their finances toward necessities only, which in turn, minimized the sales of dragon fruits. Besides, since travel restrictions affected the supply chains across locations, the unavailability of fresh dragon fruits also brought challenges to the market expansion. Yet, on the other hand, as the pandemic situation gradually was coming under control, the governments partially uplifted the restrictions, allowing the recommencement of business operations while abiding by the social distancing & safety norms. It, in turn, reinstated the availability of dragon fruits across different sales channels. Moreover, people were becoming more aware of the positive influence of dragon fruits on health improving metabolism, boosting the immune system, strengthening bones & teeth, blood purification, assisting tissue formation, healing bruises & wounds, and others. It, in turn, demonstrated an upswing in the demand for these fruits amidst the crisis, leading to a temporary hike in revenue generation for the leading players.

Furthermore, with the complete upliftment of limitations by the governments, the market is on the track to recovery and witnessing active participation of the prominent players, expanding their production & distribution capacities, leading the market toward substantial growth.

Health benefits

Dragon fruit can be considered as a super food, being low in calories but high in fibre, antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, and containing healthy fatty acids and probiotics. Antioxidants are essential to protect cells from free radical damage, which cause chronic disease and ageing. Some of the major antioxidants found in dragon fruit are betacyanins, betaxanthins, Hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids. According to a research article published in the World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2018, 1 the antioxidant activity of the fruit can be helpful in preventing inflammatory conditions such as gouty arthritis.

Hydroxycinnamates have proven anticancer activity, while flavonoids are linked to better brain health and reduced risk of heart disease. In this issue of our Food Safety In-depth Focus, we hear from Dr. Martin Wiedmann, Dr. Xiangyu Deng and Dr. Gilbert Lamothe as they offer their insights into lowering the risk of microbial contamination in a comprehensive roundtable. We also hear from a Professor of Science Policy at the University of Sussex on how food safety has been influenced following the UK's exit from the European Union in.

A phytochemical named captain, which is often used in heart medication, is present in dragon fruit as well.

Lycopene, responsible for the fruit's red colour, is known to lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. Dragon fruit contains a significant amount of carotene, which can improve eyesight, vitamin C to boost the immune system (10 percent of the daily recommended value), B vitamins to aid carbohydrate metabolism, calcium to develop strong bones and teeth, iron for forming healthy red blood cells, and phosphorus to promote tissue and cell growth. Probiotics are excellent for improving digestion and immunity and for lowering intestinal infections. Market Segmentation Based on the Type. Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis).

White Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus). Yellow Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus megalanthus). White Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus).

Is anticipated to dominate the Global Dragon Fruit Market with the largest share during the forecast period. It owes principally to the easy availability of the white dragon fruits across different sales channels and their immense popularity in salads & beverages with a similar taste to that of a kiwi. Besides, the versatile application of white dragon fruit in multiple dishes adds up to a greater inclination toward this type, contributing to the overall market growth. Moreover, increasing trade chains across regions for the utilization of these fruits in food & beverages & dietary supplements, alongside pharmaceutical applications, further ads to the high demand for white dragon fruits. On the other hand, the demand for Red Dragon Fruit shall also witness an upsurge in the demand and contribute to the overall market growth during the forecast period. Besides, red dragon fruit exhibit higher content of antioxidants than white dragon fruits & is a great food for maintaining eyes, blood, and skin health. Hence, the demand for red dragon fruits is anticipated to accelerate and contribute to the overall market growth in the coming years.

Pharmacological activity

In the treatment of different diseases medicinal herbal plant have demonstrated pharmacological activity dragon fruit have many pharmacological activity as listed in below:

Antimicrobial activity

White dragon fruit flesh ethanolic extract was detected as around 85% of mixed oligosaccharide accur. In contrast to insulin, this oligosaccharide had greater tolerance to human salivary alpha amylase. This is not digested in the stomach, but function as prebiotic that help the stomach.

Antifungal activity

The presence of polyphenol antifungal activity in extract and fraction of flesh and peel of red pitaya fruits are 2 yeasts, Candida albicans, Rhizoctonia solani; four molds: Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum which is the research panel that include laboratory control strains obtained from the American type culture collection (ATCC).

Anti-inflammatory activity

Anti-inflammatory action has been performed on dragon fruit. The research was carried out by mixing dragon fruits skin and flesh and separating it with vacuum distilled water, water and drying. Then the result of this will be used for the purpose of bioassay testing against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

Anticancer activity

Various studies have shown that the flavonoid, betaine in and polyphenol in dragon fruit have an anti-cancer effect. The skin of dragon fruit that has been extracted with a mixture of water and ethanol solvent with ratio of 50:50 has shown anti proliferative activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in just one dose.

Antiulcer activity

The tropical quercetin content in the skin of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) show antiulcer activity. It can be proven from the result of total distress in 35% of cases within 2 to 4 days and 90% of cases within 4 to 7 days.

Antioxidant activity

Pitaya is considered as fruit that is low in calories but high in nutrition water content sugar mineral and antioxidant H. polyrhizus are known as the red flesh pitaya is rich in battalions which meets the trade interest for antioxidant product and also natural food colorant.

Antidiabetic activity

There are several leaves and fruits that have the potential to be diabetics such as dragon fruit. Several studies have shown that dragon fruit has an antidiabetic activity effect. For patients with Type II Diabetes, the use of red dragon fruit can reduce blood glucose levels.

Antiplatelet activity

Dragon fruit has antiplatelet activity because it contains ethanol and ethyl acetate extract which has have inhibitory effect in concentration dependent manner On platelet aggregation induced by various agonist.

Neuroprotective activity

As mentioned previously, dragon fruit has a myriad of benefits and one of them is related to the Neuroprotective activity of nerve work. The phytochemicals content in dragon fruit plays an active role in Neuroprotective activity, especially when preventing neurodegenerative disease.

Cytoprotective activity

Pitaya is a great source of various for natural antioxidant including ascorbic acid betalains and polyphenol as a fibre rich dragon fruit it help in food digestion.

Hypolipidemic activity

Dragon fruit flesh extract was used to determine Hypolipidemic activity in rats. The extract of dragon fruit flesh could minimize TG, total cholesterol, LDL, and total cholesterol ratio over HDL cholesterol, body weight, Lee index obesity, and could also substantially raise serum HDL cholesterol, total fecal cholesterol, and fat.

Analgesic activity

Pitaya like many other plants contain gallic acid (3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) anorganic substance that exist in plant material that act as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic activities.

Conclusion

From the above article it is concluded that Hylocereus undatus have highly resistant to disease like COVID -19, malaria. They are attractive in shape and colour. Dragon fruit maker is increases day by day in worldwide.

Glycolytic genes expression

Glycolytic genes expression

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