Current Situation and Perspectives of Fruit Annonaceae in Mexico: Biological and Agronomic Importance and Bioactive Properties

Abstract

The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly due to their nutritional properties and their application in the treatment of human diseases. Mexico is the center of origin for most of them. However, at present much of the basic agronomic information, postharvest handling of the fruits, and their potential as new crops for areas with poor soils in organic matter or semi-dry climates is unknown. It is considered that these custard apple species may be an option to change towards instead of crops that have lost profitability and sustainability. A review of the current state of knowledge in different areas of the species A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata, A. squamosa, and A. cherimola was carried out and to focus research efforts on the topics of greatest interest and on those where is required to achieve a sustainable production and use of these resources in Mexico. However, knowledge about the cultivation and potential uses of these species is needed to increase their commercialization; the integration of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional groups is required.

Essential Oils as A Potential Neuroprotective Remedy for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The Annona cherimola, a member of the Annonaceae family, is commonly referred to as "chirimoya" or "chirimoyo" and "custard-apple". This particular plant species has been found to possess antimalarial properties [116]. The chemical compounds derived from these species are classified as alkaloids, including rumocosine H, cherimoline, annocherine A, cherianoine, and annocherine B [29].…”

Transcriptome Analysis of Soursop (Annona muricata L.) Fruit under Postharvest Storage Identifies Genes Families Involved in Ripening

“…Soursop ( Annona muricata L.) is a member of the Annonaceae family that is cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil [ 1 , 2 ]. Mexico is the top producer of this crop worldwide and Compostela, Nayarit represents approximately 81% of the total production at a national level, with an annual income of 12.2 millions of dollars [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Mexico is the top producer of this crop worldwide and Compostela, Nayarit represents approximately 81% of the total production at a national level, with an annual income of 12.2 millions of dollars [ 3 , 4 ]. The fruits are mainly consumed fresh and the pulp can be used to develop several products such as ice-cream, juice, nectar, jelly, yogurt, among others [ 2 ]. Furthermore, in the last years there has been an increase in the interest of this crop due to its medicinal properties such as anthelmintic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhea, antiparasitic, antimalarial, anticancer activities, among others [ 5 ].…”