January 10, 2025 | Current Functional Foods |
A study on the Garcinia genus, a significant group of evergreen trees from the family Clusiaceae, was conducted by researchers from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, India. With over 250 species distributed primarily across tropical regions, the genus shows high diversity in South Asia and Southeast Asia. India is home to 43 species, commonly found in the North East region, the Western Ghats, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Many Garcinia species produce edible fruits and are valued for their medicinal properties. The genus provides various products, including spices, fruits, medicinal extracts, cooking butter, natural colorants, and polishing agents for metals like gold and silver. The fruits are particularly noted for their content of p-hydroxycitric acid, which inhibits lipogenesis and helps control obesity in humans.
While most species are found in the wild, several, such as mangosteen, kokum, Malabar tamarind, and yellow mangosteen, are cultivated in India and parts of Southeast Asia. The popularity of these fruits is growing due to their unique taste and health benefits. This study summarizes the status, genetic resources, cultivation practices, and future prospects for Garcinia cultivation in India, highlighting its potential to contribute to the agricultural and medicinal sectors.
