Ackee (Blighia Sapida KD Koenig) - A Review of Its Economic Importance, Bioactive Components, Associated Health Benefits and Commercial Applications

ABSTRACT

Blighia sapida: (ackee) is the national fruit of Jamaica with origins in West Africa. It is considered an economically important crop to Jamaica with export earnings averaging about US$15 million annually. There is significant untapped potential for this fruit despite concerns regarding its consumption due to the presence of two toxins, hypoglycin A and hypoglycin B. Hypoglycin A decreases as the fruit matures whereas hypoglycin B is only present in the seeds which are discarded before the aril is prepared for consumption. Ackee is a particularly nutritious fruit due to it richness in bioactive compounds, vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins while being low in calories. These properties make it ideal for further commercialization and production of additional value-added products in the food, industrial and pharmaceutical sectors.

KEYWORDS:

• Ackees
• hypoglycin
• bioactives
• commercial applications