Bael (Aegle marmelos), an Underutilized Fruit with Enormous Potential to Be Developed as a Functional Food Product: A Review

Abstract

In South Asia, a fruit often known as Bael is a valuable medicinal plant, which is scientifically named Aegle marmelos. Not just the fruits but also the leaves, stems, bark, and roots are used in traditional medicine. Since ancient times, the plant has been used to treat a variety of chronic illnesses. Several scientific investigations have confirmed the nutritional and medicinal properties of plant-derived compounds. Global concern about the role of eating habits and health has increased the interest in plant-derived nutraceuticals; thereby, the functional attributes of such underutilized fruits are being explored which have an enormous potential to be developed as a functional product for the food processing industry. The present review emphasizes scientific data on the nutritional and bioactive composition of the fruit along with its pharmacological activities. Furthermore, this study also discussed fruit processing technology and innovation in the development of potential functional products derived from the fruit.

Bael (Aegle marmelos L. Correa) fruit extracts encapsulated alginate nanoparticles as a potential dietary supplement with improved bioactivities

“…Bael fruit is blended with other different fruits like tamarind, orange, lime, and pineapple to prepare beverages. The toffee is made by mixing the bael fruit pulp with butter, sugar, milk powder, citric acid, and corn flour as well as different quantities of cinnamon and cardamom to get the desired flavor and nutritional content (Khanal et al, 2023). In addition, bael fruits are dried and packed in tea bags and preserved in syrup for further utilization as desserts and ingredients for cakes by Thai natives (Charoensiddhi & Anprung, 2008).…”

“…Bael fruit has an enormous potential to develop as a dietary supplement because of its various biological functions (Khanal et al, 2023). Extensive studies on bael fruit showed possible health benefits with proven biological properties in preclinical and clinical settings (Ahmad et al, 2021;Ismail & Yaheya, 2009;Kamalakkanan et al, 2003;Narender et al, 2007;Upadhya et al, 2004).…”

Evaluation of Anti-diabetic Activity of Isolated Fractions of Aegle Marmelos

“…This plant boasts numerous pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, anti-in ammatory, antifungal, antihelminthic, antiprotozoal, antispermatogenic, antidiabetic, laxative, febrifuge, and expectorant properties. Unfortunately, it has been declared vulnerable and is listed in the red list [5] .…”