Thai underutilized fruit and vegetable species as a potential sources of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins: a literature review

Kateřina Berková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

At present, when humanity is still facing persistent malnutrition, diseases of affluence such as non-communicable diseases are emerging at the same time. The main reason is general malnutrition or insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables. These are irreplaceable sources of many biologically active substances such as antioxidants that protect body cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, minerals that play a huge role in various biological processes such as transmitting nerve impulses or building strong bones, and vitamins that serve as antioxidants, coenzymes, cofactors, hormones, and gene transcription elements. Deficiencies of these substances can be fatal in the long run. Often ignored sources of these substances are underutilized crops which have many benefits such as high nutritional value, resistance to biotic stresses, and ability to strengthen the food security of the country. Thailand is a part of Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, and provides various kinds of fruits and vegetables, including little-explored species. Also, Thai cuisine is rich in local unique ingredients and considered healthy. The aim of this thesis was to identify Thai underutilized fruit and vegetable species showing interesting antioxidant activity and containing notable amounts of minerals and vitamins. In this thesis, 73 underutilized species of Thai fruits and vegetables were found in the scientific literature. Some of them show significant contents of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. The most promising crops in the terms of antioxidants seem to be Durio kutejensis and Cosmos caudatus, in the terms of minerals Neptunia oleracea and Dracontomelon dao, and in the terms of vitamins, Aegle marmelos, Mangifera odorata, and Sesbania grandiflora. Some species including for example A. marmelos or S. grandiflora showed valuable contents of all 3 monitored parameters and therefore it would be appropriate to promote them more to locals as they could enrich their diet and increase their financial incomes and standard of living. Also, such species could be used in industry and for the production of various food products such as beverages, desserts, or even food supplements. For 8 species, no data on antioxidant activity and contents of minerals and vitamins were available and it would be therefore appropriate to focus on their research as they may have nutritional potential.

Keywords

neglected crops, edible plants, Southeast Asia, unexploited plant species, human nutrition

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 4. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Johana Rondevaldová, Ph.D.
• Reader: Markéta Houdková, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Agricultural Specialization / Agriculture in Tropics and Subtropics