Review Article Nutri Food Sci Int J

Volume 8 Issue 4 - March 2019

Copyright © All rights are reserved by Mihir Y Parmar
DOI: 10.19080/NFSIJ.2019.08.555743

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Mihir Y. Parmar*1, Dinesh Pore1, Sachin Kumar Sharma3, Tribhuvan singh2 and Nirali Pandya3
1
Bharat Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India
2
Scient Institute of Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India
3
Parul Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Parul University, India
H
Submission: February 03, 2019; Published: March 28, 2019
*Corresponding author: Mihir Y Parmar, Professor Pharmacology, Bharat Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India

Abstract

Hylocereusundatus is characteristically the most cultivate vine cactus belonging to the family of Cactaceae, originating natively from Mexico
and America. Commonly, it is well acknowledged under the name of “dragon fruit” or “pitaya”. It is also called ‘buahnaga’ in Malaysia gives
the meaning of dragon fruit. Besides its attractive coloration, fruits of Hylocereusundatus are being prevailed globally because of its loaded
source of polyphenolic components and their antioxidant activity. A wide ranging of phytochemicals of betalains, polyphenolic compounds and
carotenoids are revealed to possess chemo-protective properties against oxidant stress in the body as well as maintain optimum equilibrium
between antioxidants and oxidants for the enhancement of human health. The conclusion of this review is imperative to convey an indication of
Hylocereusundatus and its functional phytochemicals, with next of kin to its impending health benefit in on condition that perspectives of research
and application. It presented more environmental benign antioxidant and antibacterial agents that are significant in the fields of healthcare, food
processing, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical. Collective work by researchers will help to maximize importance of this fruit to worldwide cultivars
in order to expand the global market of dragon fruit.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Betalains; Dragon Fruit; Pitaya; Polyphenol

Introduction
tion of their biomass [6]. The fruit consists of red peel covered
Genus Hylocereus belongs to the vine cactus from the
with green tipped overlapping scales and white flesh dotted
subfamily of Cactoideae within the family of Cactaceae. It
with numerous edible soft black seeds. It also classified as a
is a native fruit from Mexico, Central and South America [1],
night-blooming flower which only flowers at night and bloom-
and has been cultivated in Vietnam for at least 100 years,
ing with huge fragrant blooms that typically last for one night
following by the French [2]. There are three cultivars of
only [7]. Over past decades, this fruit is cultivated commercial-
dragon fruit: Hylocereusundatus, red-coloured pericarp with
ly in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Nicaragua, Colom-
white flesh; Hylocereuspolyrhizus, red skinned with red flesh
bia, Australia and the USA [8].
and Selinecereus megalanthus, yellow-coloured with white
flesh [3]. Typically, Hylocereusundatus is a cactus plant which Phytochemical Composition of Hylocereusundatus
possesses fruit as the Red Dragon Fruit or Red Pitaya Fruit,
In recent years, the fruits of Hylocereus cacti have greatly
the most widely cultivated vine cactus. In addition, it knows as
increased its popularity worldwide due to its attractive
Red Pitaya or Strawberry Pear cactus fruit as well. Commonly,
colours, sweet, juicy pleasant taste and have been considered
this fruit is named as pitaya because of the bracts or scales on
the most beautiful in Cactaceae family. Besides its red-purple
the fruit skin and hence the name of pitaya meaning ‘‘the scaly
coloration, the fruits of Hylocereus cacti are being highlighted
fruit’’ [4].
by global cultivators because of its rich source of polyphenolic
With the unique properties of Crassulacean Acid Metabo- components and their antioxidant activity [9]. Polyphenolic
lism (CAM), members of family Cactaceae exhibit extraordi- compounds are an excellent antioxidant and bio-active free
narily high water-use efficiency with low water requirements radical scavengers, playing an important role in protecting
[5]. In addition, as a response to high carbon dioxide (CO2) humans [10]. Antioxidant refers to a compound that is capable
atmospheric concentration, CAM plants increase the produc of retarding the oxidation of lipids, nucleic acids and proteins

Nutri Food Sci Int J 8(4): NFSIJ.MS.ID.555743 (2019) 001

 Nutrition & Food Science International Journal

by hindering the initiation and propagation of oxidative tains high amount of vitamin C. However, the high level of vita-
chain reactions, and hence preventing oxidative damage min C found in Dragon fruit plays an important role to enhance
towards body’s cells [11,12]. This can be achieved through the immune system and also to stimulate the activity of other an-
mechanisms of reduction, free radical-scavenging, potential tioxidant in the body [29]. Moreover, Dragon fruit is also rich
complexing of pro-oxidant metals and quenching of singlet in flavonoids that act against cardio related, also dragon fruit
oxygen [13]. The antioxidant potential of polyphenolics aids to treat bleeding problems of vaginal discharge. As Drag-
depends on the number of hydroxyl groups in the compound. on fruit rich in fibers, however it aids in digestion of food [30].
With the higher number of hydroxyl groups, the tendency Dragon fruit is also packed with B vitamin group (B1, B2 and
of chain breaking antioxidant behaviour of the compound B3) which possess an important role in health benefit. Vitamin
increases [14]. Phenolic is found in abundant in plants, which B1 helps in increasing energy production and in carbohydrate
is the major secondary metabolites of plants, serving in plant metabolism, Vitamin B2 in Dragon Fruit acts as a multivita-
defence mechanism for counteracting reactive oxygen species min; however, it aids to improve and recover the loss of appe-
(ROS) [15,16]. In cacti, red-violet betacyanins and yellow tite. And Vitamin B3 present in dragon fruit plays an important
betaxanthins are the most important fruit pigments, belonging role in lowering bad cholesterol levels; it provides smooth and
to betalain pigments [17]. Betalain is a class of water-soluble moisturizes skin appearance. As well as it improves eyesight
pigments that provide the colours in a wide ranging of flowers and prevent hypertension [31,32]. Dragon fruit is also helpful
and fruits [18]. Moreover, betacyanins that are attached to in reducing blood sugar levels in people suffering from type2
N-heterocyclic compounds are a class of compounds that can diabetes, studies suggest that the glucose found in Dragon fruit
also be employed as antioxidants, with radical scavenging helps in controlling the blood sugar level for diabetes patients.
activities [19]. Dragon fruit contains high level of phosphorus and calcium; it
helps to reinforce bones and play an important role in tissue
Antioxidant activity of dragon fruit is mainly due to the
formation and forms healthy teeth [33].
content of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) [20]. In living organisms,
ascorbic acid serves in many physiological functions, such Conclusion
as acts as reductant to prevent cellular components from
It is interesting to note that the cultivation of Hylocere-
oxidative damage [21]. This is because ascorbic acid has the
usundatus is expanding in recent years due to its health and
capability of serving as a scavenger in the oxidation of free
economic importance. Therefore, this could lead to utilization
radicals and oxygen-derived species, e.g., singlet oxygen,
of dragon fruit as a source of functional materials to provide
hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals [22]. Hence, ascorbic
phytochemicals with the powerful antioxidant capability of
acid is found to be very useful in the treatment of photo-aging
preventing nutrition-related illnesses and enhancing human
[23]. Instead, pro-oxidant properties of ascorbic acid also
defense system of consumers. Apart from their attractive an-
contribute to its antibacterial effects [24].
tioxidant properties, dragon fruit can also be in corporate as
In the human body, the formation of free radicals is regulat- food preservatives owing to their effective antibacterial ac-
ed by various enzymes and antioxidants in response to exog- tivity against some food-borne pathogens. The research and
enous stimuli. In the case of extensive production of free radi- development of dragon fruit should be intensified and extend-
cals, it could lead to traumatic injury, inflammation and other ed by emphasizing its value chain and production aspects for
chronic events, such as cancer and degenerative disease, due to long-term perspective.
the oxidant stress [25]. Over last few decades, few antioxidant
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How to cite this article: Mihir YP, Dinesh P, Sachin KS, Tribhuvan S, Nirali P. Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit. Nutri Food Sci Int J. 2019. 8(4): 555743.
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DOI: 10.19080/NFSIJ.2019.08.555743
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How to cite this article: Mihir YP, Dinesh P, Sachin KS, Tribhuvan S, Nirali P. Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit. Nutri Food Sci Int J. 2019. 8(4): 555743.
003
DOI: 10.19080/NFSIJ.2019.08.555743