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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijab.2454.7964.3117.3

Abstract

Fruits are good sources of natural antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamins, phenols, flavonoids, dietary glutathionine, and endogenous metabolites. These antioxidants are capable of performing a number of functions including acting as free radical scavengers, peroxide decomposers, singlet and triplet oxygen quenchers, enzyme inhibitors and synergists. Active oxygen species are generated as by-products of normal metabolism. Increased levels of these active oxygen species or free radicals create oxidative stress which leads to avariety of biochemical and physiological injuries often resulting in impairment of metabolismand eventually, cell death. The consumption of fruits has been associated with low incidences and mortality rates of cancer (Ames et al., 1993; Dragsted et al., 1993; Willett, 1994) and heart disease (Verlangieri et al., 1985).Fruits also contain a wide range of flavonoids and phenolic acids. The main flavonoid sub groups in fruis are anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, flavonols, and catechins. Phenolic acids present in fruits are glycosides of hydroxylated derivatives of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid (Macheix et al., 1990). Good sources of natural antioxidants are found in many fruits, most notably prunes, raisins, blackberries, black currants, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes and pomegranates (Prior et al., 1998; Wang and Lin, 2000; Gil et al., 2000).The different antioxidant components found in fruits provide protection against harmful free radicals and have been associated with lower incidence and mortality rates of cancer and heart disease, in addition to a number of other health benefits. A number of researchers have identified the anticancer and antioxidant properties of different fruits using different methods. A comprehensive review of the work done and reported anticancer and antioxidant properties of different fruits has been done in this paper. This paper summarizes the traditional uses of some important fruit crops as well as their antioxidantand anticancer properties.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Jamun; Bael; Mulberry.

Corresponding Author : Akash Sharma, Jr. Scientist, Advanced Centre for Horticulture Research, Udheywalla, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha-180009, J&K, India.