Blood fruit (Haematocarpus validus (Miers.) Bakh. f. ex Forman): a novel source of natural food colourant

Abstract

Plant based pigments have widely been used by human beings since ancient times. These pigments, being natural in origin, have better acceptability amongst the consumers and offer diversified applications worldwide. For identification of novel pigment sources, lesser known species need to be studied systematically. In the present report, a tropical fruit species viz. blood fruit was studied for its physicochemical parameters and anthocyanin content. Fruit pulp had total soluble solids of 17 °B with acidic pH (3.01) and total phenolic content of 13.44 mg GAE/ 100 g of fresh pulp. Pulp of fully ripe fruits contained 8.76 mg/g of total anthocyanins. Pelargonidin was the dominant anthocyanin, followed by Cyanidin, Peonidin and Petunidin. Considering these qualities, the species could be a potential candidate for food and dye industries.

Effects of extraction methods and solvents on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and storage stability of anthocyanin rich blood fruit ( Haematocarpus validus ) extracts

“…The results of anthocyanins obtained for both the samples are comparable with the anthocyanins content of the same fruit of Andaman Island studied by Bohra et al. (2020).…”

“…The results of individual anthocyanins obtained in the current study indicated that cyanidin-3-glucoside (cy3g) which is known, as a potential antioxidant was highly concentrated in UAE-M (2.303 mg/g) compared with CE-M (2.056 mg/g). The results of anthocyanins obtained for both the samples are comparable with the anthocyanins content of the same fruit of Andaman Island studied byBohra et al (2020).…”

Seed Germination in Blood Fruit (Haematocarpus validus (Miers.) Bakh. f. ex Forman) as Influenced by Substrate

“…The species has been identified as a novel source of natural colourant, Pelargonidin and Cyanidin being the dominant compounds responsible for its colour. 1 Considering potential of this species as a fresh fruit, natural colourant, source of bioactive compounds and as a viable source of income for local people, it being promoted as a novel crop in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [1][2][3] However, forests are the major source of blood fruit for local people in native regions and its natural populations have been threatened due to manmade and natural calamities.…”

“…1 Considering potential of this species as a fresh fruit, natural colourant, source of bioactive compounds and as a viable source of income for local people, it being promoted as a novel crop in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [1][2][3] However, forests are the major source of blood fruit for local people in native regions and its natural populations have been threatened due to manmade and natural calamities. In order to conserve the species, seed pretreatment for improving seed germination was standardized.…”

Time to Utilize the Underutilized!

“…For potential species having limited distribution as in case of Haematocarpus validus, seed germination could help in generating diversity which could be tapped in the years to come. 3 Some underutilized species are wild relatives of cultivated crops, which could be screened for their potential as source of gene/ rootstock for cultivated types. Garcinia cowa, a common species in the Northeastern region and the Bay islands, is a potential species as backyard crop as well as rootstock for Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana).…”