Medico-nutritional importance and value added products of pineapple – A Review

Abstract

Pineapple a tropical fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein prevent blood clot formation. Pineapple's nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. It is low in fat and cholesterol. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fiber. Pineapple is a rich source of ascorbic acid supplement to our diet. Pineapple pulp waste showed maximum amount of reducing sugars (30.5mg/100g) and ash (1.8mg/100g) respectively. Pineapple waste contains high concentration of biodegradable organic material and suspended particles. Pineapple waste showed higher concentration of crude fibre, non-reducing sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and moisture content. Therefore pineapple waste is used as substrate for growth of microbes in fermentation process. Pineapple leaf fibre is very common in tropical regions and very simple to extract fibres from its leaves. The utilization of pineapple leaf fibre in composite material is a new source of materials which can be economic, eco-friendly, and recyclable. However, the main issue of pineapple leaf fibre is its hydroscopic nature, which makes a big hurdle for fibre utilization as a reinforced material in polymer composites. Surface modification of PALF is required to improve for good interfacial adhesion of PALF with polymers in fabrication of polymer composites.