Kenaf or Hibiscus cannabinus is an annual herbaceous crop that grows well in temperate regions with high rainfall and abundant solar radiation. This Malvaceae member is famously known for its high-quality fibre that is directly retrieved from its dried stem materials and is useful in various industries, mainly in paper and pulp, bio-composite, textiles and manufacturing. With recent discoveries, kenaf can now be regarded as a multipurpose crop as its usage has been extended beyond its traditional applications, which include applications within the medicinal, pharmaceutical and food industries since its extracts possess several bioactivities that include anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antithrombotic abilities along with many more. The plant’s versatile applications and pharmaceutical activities come from its different plant parts such as its leaves, seeds, flowers and stems. This demonstrates that kenaf can also be safely regarded as a zero-waste crop, which is crucial for the sustainable development of any kenaf-based medicinal or therapeutic compounds. However, the biological properties of kenaf are still not known by many as industries mainly focus on the direct application of its fibre material. If this trend continues, the true potential of kenaf could be halted and undermined. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a concise overview of kenaf’s bioactivities that will hopefully provide better knowledge and understanding about this overlooked crop. This paper reviews the latest findings on kenaf’s bioactivities from its extracts that are retrieved from either its seeds, leaves, flowers or stems and provides additional information about its current status in Malaysia.

In recent years, kenaf has gained significant global attention as a more cost-effective, adaptable, and manageable alternative to other fibre crops. India and China, with nearly 70% of the global kenaf production, have emerged as the leading producers of kenaf plants. While kenaf was traditionally valued for its paper production, it has evolved into a multipurpose crop with diverse industrial applications over the past two decades. Conventional soil-based cultivation methods for kenaf require up to six months for plant maturity. However, in vitro propagation techniques offer a promising alternative that enables faster growth and reduced labour costs. In vitro propagation can be achieved using solid and liquid media, with limited research available on the pure liquid culture method for kenaf. This review aims to introduce and compare the production of kenaf using solid and liquid media, with a specific focus on the emerging country of Malaysia, which seeks to harness the potential of kenaf cultivation for the 15th Sustainable Development Goal, “life on land”, and its contribution to the economy.

No abstract

No abstract