Tropical and subtropical fruits (2+1)

Uses and Composition

The custard apple fruits are mostly used as table fruits or pulp is mixed with milk or ice-cream. It is rich in CHO’s and provides good amount of proteins and minerals. It is a good source of Vit-A and C. Its calorific value ranges from 822 to 1050 K Cal/kg (as compared to 741 K cal/Kg of mango).
The different parts of plant are widely used in folk medicine because of bioactive compounds, mainly acetogenine, alkaloids, flavonoids found in leaves, roots, fruits and seeds.

• Acetogenins are potential anticancer property compounds as they have cytotoxic effect.
• Flavonoids found in seeds, roots, bark, stems are potential chemopreventive agents, given evidence that they decrease tumour incidence.
• Ethanol extracts of cherimoya seeds are used as insecticides and antiparasitic properties.
• The roots are used to treat acute dysentery, depression and spinal marrow diseases.