PROPAGATION AND PRODUCTION OF GAC (MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS SPRENG.), A GREENHOUSE CASE STUDY

Abstract

Greater cultivation of the underutilised Gac fruit, Momordica cochinchinensis, by poorly resourced householders and farmers would potentially improve livelihoods, and, on a larger scale, meet the increasing demand for Gac as a health product. Cultivation methods need to be developed to suit small-and large-scale production and must consider the unpredictable ratio of male to female plants grown from seed, and slow growth induced by cool temperatures. In this study, we examined the responses of Gac to propagation and protected cropping techniques to identify potential methods for increasing production. Plants germinated from seed in seed-raising mix under warm and humid conditions were grown hydroponically to maturity in a climate-controlled greenhouse during a temperate winter, producing fruits that were harvested ripe, from 44 weeks after sowing. Cuttings taken from female plants were dipped in indole-3-butyric rooting hormone powder or gel, or were left untreated, and then placed in rock wool, potting mix, water or closed media sachet. All treatment combinations, with the exception of the untreated potting mix, permitted the development of healthy plants in a second greenhouse crop. Growing plants from seed, then vegetatively increasing the number of productive female plants by cuttings is a means to increase Gac production with limited resources. Gac production using greenhouse technology, as described here for the first time, is relevant to other temperate regions. The finding that larger fruits have a higher percentage of edible aril than smaller fruits provides a new area of investigation towards enhancing production.

Momordica cochinchinensis Seed Extracts Suppress Migration and Invasion of Human Breast Cancer ZR-75-30 Cells Via Down-regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9

“…Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng., a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has been highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal qualities and wide range of adaptability. It has been used as an indigenous food and traditional medicine throughout East and Southeast Asia for a long time (Ishida et al, 2004;Tsoi et al, 2006;Sanwal et al, 2011;Parks et al, 2012). As a medicinal plant, the seeds of the fruit, used as traditional Chinese medicine (Mubiezi in Chinese, Figure 1 A), have anti-cancer actions (Wong et al, 2004;Kubola and Siriamornpun, 2011;Lin et al, 2012).…”

Changes in physicochemical properties of Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) during storage

“…In this case, obvious sources of variation may have included climate and plant age. In another example, in this study the proportion of aril in the fruit was not related to fruit weight, in contrast to a previous crop from the same genetic stock and growing system (Parks et al(2013). Further studies on physiochemical measures of Gac fruit need to consider several distinct sources of fruit, preferably with known provenance, to avoid data with limited inference.…”

“…The crop was grown in bags of soilless coir and irrigated and fed using hydroponic nutrient solution. Practices were as described for greenhouse production of Gac in a previous study (Parks et al, 2013).…”

Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. seed extract suppresses breast cancer growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

“…Its fruit and seeds have been part of an indigenous diet, and the plant has been used as a traditional medicine throughout East and Southeast Asia for a long time (4,5). In the various Asian languages, the fruit is called Gac in Vietnam, Fak kao in Thailand, Bhat kerala in India, Mu Bie Zi in China and Mak kao in Laos (6).…”

“…In the various Asian languages, the fruit is called Gac in Vietnam, Fak kao in Thailand, Bhat kerala in India, Mu Bie Zi in China and Mak kao in Laos (6). The ripened seeds with a palatable taste, cooked to impart its red color, are traditionally used in Vietnamese cuisine in the dish 'Xoi Gac' made for weddings and New Year celebrations (4). The seeds of the fruit are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and have various pharmacological actions against conditions including boils, pyodermatitis, mastitis, tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, ringworm infections, freckles, sebaceous, hemorrhoids and hemangiomas; furthermore, they have immune-stimulating, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer actions (6,7).…”