243
14.2 Functional Properties of Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and Vegetables are composed of several macro and micronutrients.
Macronutrients are required in larger amounts and are mainly carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients are only needed in smaller quantities. Common
micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Vitamins devote the maintenance of
healthy vision, immune function, bone health; cell integrity helps regulate calcium
and phosphorus. Fruits are rich in vitamin C, A and E. Minerals may reduce the risk
of high blood pressure and stroke. Copper and manganese are cofactors of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red
blood cells. Vitamin composition of some fruits and vegetables are tabulated below
(Tables 14.2 and 14.3).
14.3 Functional Bioactive Compounds and Their Properties
The list of major bioactive components of fruits and vegetables that have beneficial
effects in the human body has been summarized in Table 14.4.
Table 14.1 Classification of Fruits and Vegetables based on climate
Type of
Fruit
Fruits Examples
Vegetables Examples
Tropical
Mangosteen, jackfruit, Olive
rambutan, Syzygium, Mango,
banana, plantain, papaya, guava,
pineapple passion fruit etc.
(Ayala-Zavala et al. 2011)
Arugula, Asian Greens, Beans, Bell Peppers,
Cabbage, Capsicum (that’s the Australian name
for peppers), Cassava, Chard (silverbeet,
similarto spinach), Chinese Cabbages, Chilli
Peppers, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Endive, Lettuce,
Okra, Peppers, Pumpkins, Radish, Rocket
Squash, Sweet Corn etc. (Wani et al. 2017; Litz
et al. 1986; Tindall 1983)
Subtropical Grapes, pomegranate,
Pineapples, Papaya, Banana,
Avocado, Litchie, Kiwi
Mangoes, Guavas, Citrus fruit
(sweet orange, mandarin,
tangerine) (Galan Sauco et al.
2014; Litz et al. 1986)
Cherry tomato, Pumpkin, lablab bean, Choko,
Ethiopian or Kenyan Cabbage, Sweet potato,
Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) etc. (Wani et al. 2017;
Litz et al. 1986)
Temperate peach, pear, strawberry,
craneberry, blackberry,
blueberry, Apple, pear, stone
fruits etc. (Kole 2011)
Endive, Escarole, Mustard, Black mustard, Kale,
collards, Cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Garden cress,
Watercress, Chard, Swiss chard, Spinach,
lettuce, Sorrel, Asparagus, lettuce, Celery,
Parsley, Rubharb etc. (Martin 1982)
Arctic
Almond and trifoliate orange,
arcitic rasp berries etc. (Molau
1997)
Herbs, Braccoli (Ganong 1977)
14 Fruits and Vegetables and its Nutritional Benefits
14.2 Functional Properties of Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and Vegetables are composed of several macro and micronutrients.
Macronutrients are required in larger amounts and are mainly carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients are only needed in smaller quantities. Common
micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Vitamins devote the maintenance of
healthy vision, immune function, bone health; cell integrity helps regulate calcium
and phosphorus. Fruits are rich in vitamin C, A and E. Minerals may reduce the risk
of high blood pressure and stroke. Copper and manganese are cofactors of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red
blood cells. Vitamin composition of some fruits and vegetables are tabulated below
(Tables 14.2 and 14.3).
14.3 Functional Bioactive Compounds and Their Properties
The list of major bioactive components of fruits and vegetables that have beneficial
effects in the human body has been summarized in Table 14.4.
Table 14.1 Classification of Fruits and Vegetables based on climate
Type of
Fruit
Fruits Examples
Vegetables Examples
Tropical
Mangosteen, jackfruit, Olive
rambutan, Syzygium, Mango,
banana, plantain, papaya, guava,
pineapple passion fruit etc.
(Ayala-Zavala et al. 2011)
Arugula, Asian Greens, Beans, Bell Peppers,
Cabbage, Capsicum (that’s the Australian name
for peppers), Cassava, Chard (silverbeet,
similarto spinach), Chinese Cabbages, Chilli
Peppers, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Endive, Lettuce,
Okra, Peppers, Pumpkins, Radish, Rocket
Squash, Sweet Corn etc. (Wani et al. 2017; Litz
et al. 1986; Tindall 1983)
Subtropical Grapes, pomegranate,
Pineapples, Papaya, Banana,
Avocado, Litchie, Kiwi
Mangoes, Guavas, Citrus fruit
(sweet orange, mandarin,
tangerine) (Galan Sauco et al.
2014; Litz et al. 1986)
Cherry tomato, Pumpkin, lablab bean, Choko,
Ethiopian or Kenyan Cabbage, Sweet potato,
Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) etc. (Wani et al. 2017;
Litz et al. 1986)
Temperate peach, pear, strawberry,
craneberry, blackberry,
blueberry, Apple, pear, stone
fruits etc. (Kole 2011)
Endive, Escarole, Mustard, Black mustard, Kale,
collards, Cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Garden cress,
Watercress, Chard, Swiss chard, Spinach,
lettuce, Sorrel, Asparagus, lettuce, Celery,
Parsley, Rubharb etc. (Martin 1982)
Arctic
Almond and trifoliate orange,
arcitic rasp berries etc. (Molau
1997)
Herbs, Braccoli (Ganong 1977)
14 Fruits and Vegetables and its Nutritional Benefits