Pitaya (Stenocereus spp.): An under-utilized fruit

Abstract

Pitaya (Stenocereus spp.) is an exotic fruit, which has been consumed since ancient times by pre-Hispanic cultures. Recently in Mexico, this cactus has been the target of commercial attention due to the pleasant taste of their succulent fruits with juicy and sweet pulp, and a great variety of colors (white, yellow, purple and red fruits). This fruit has excellent sensory, nutritional, nutraceutical, agroindustrial and medicinal attributes; however, it has been under-utilized. The high content of betalains in this fruit allows us to consider these varieties as a source of natural pigments to be used in the food industry. The aim of this study is to show “the state of the art” of the properties of Stenocereus, to promote its study, dissemination, production, consumption and agroindustrial use. The present study shows a description of its botany, distribution, cultivation, physiology, pre and postharvest aspects, nutritional and nutraceutical composition, as well as agroindustrial and medicinal uses. The production of this fruit represents an opportunity for the economic development of some arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico due to the agronomic, nutraceutical and agroindustrial advantages. Therefore, more studies are required, mainly on physiological, nutraceutical, medicinal and agroindustrial aspects, more specifically on the non-studied species of Stenocereus, and future researches should deal with development of agro-technologies to guarantee high yields and good quality products to enable growers to make a living from it.