Chayote (Sechium edule): A review of nutritional composition, bioactivities and potential applications

Abstract

Chayote (Sechium edule) has gained widespread consuming acceptance and recognized by its nutritional and bio-functional properties. The present review surveys and describes the current findings about the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of chayote and identifies opportunities for further research. It also discusses chayote's versatile utility in nutrition, as a functional ingredient in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in nanotechnology and biotechnological processes. It was concluded that although the pharmacological properties of chayote are currently well-established, only a few reports have been conducted on the isolation and identification of individual chemical constituents, and similarly, only a few in vivo studies have been conducted to assess their biological efficacy. In addition, the valorisation of the underutilized chayote by-products can be an important aspect in waste management from both economic and environmental standpoints. Thus, the recovery and utilization of valuable compounds from chayote is an important challenge for scientists.

Effect of Sechium edule var. nigrum spinosum (Chayote) on Oxidative Stress and Pro-Inflammatory Markers in Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: An Exploratory Study

“…This explains the wide use of Sechium edule (S. edule) with curative purposes in México and worldwide. Likewise, in some studies it has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypotensive as well as lipogenesis inhibition properties [18,19]. It could therefore be an alternative treatment for the control of MetS.…”

Protein sources diversity from Gunungkidul District, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia

“…Current research reported that beluntas, papaya leaves, katuk (Sauropus androgynus), and kelor (M. citrifolia) contain high antioxidant and bioactive compounds (Barba et al 2014;Andarwulan et al 2012;Otsuki et al 2010). Chayote leaves prominently have antihypertensive properties and anti-diabetic properties (Vieira et al 2019). M. citrifolia leaf ethanol proved has larvicidal and pupicidal activities (Lopes et al 2018).…”

The Cytological Studies on Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species with Special Reference to Chayote, an Under-Exploited Species

“…The genetic erosion of chayote is boosted through the inbreeding and usage of cloned plants in orchids increasing the incidence of viruses and fungal plants infected [101]. The chayote holds high nutritional value with high antioxidant activity, rich in important amino acids (particularly: arginine, aspartic acid, leucine, proline among others), recently it has been pharmacologically analyzed for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, cytotoxic and antitumor action [37]- [41]. In order to take advantage of nutritional and pharmacological properties cytogenetic analyses are proposed.…”