Limonia acidissima: Versatile and Nutritional Fruit of India

ABSTRACT

Limonia acidissima (wood apple) fruit is edible and used in very limited food preparations. This fruit as well as different parts of the L. acidissima plant is also used as a folk medicine to treat various ailments and reportedly possesses anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential uses and applications of L. acidissima to improve the usage of this unexploited fruit based on its nutritive value. This review summarizes recent pharmacognostical aspects, various applications of this fruit in food and non-food industries, and the experimental research work done on L. acidissima. This review will be helpful to create interest toward the lesser-known facts and less documented work done on L. acidissima. This information may be useful in developing new formulations or enhancing the existing products with more therapeutic or nutritive value.

KEYWORDS:

• Limonia acidissima
• wood apple
• medicinal fruit
• exotic fruit