Hog plums: Its importance, potentials and future prospects

Abstract

Hog plums, scientifically known as Spondias mombin are medicinal plants that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and are of great importance in the food/agricultural industries and the health sector. In the food industries, it is an important fruit crop that can be eaten raw, juiced and processed for making jam, ice cream and jellies, and also provides farmers an alternative feeding material for lactating ruminants to help in galactogenesis and lactopoiesis. In the health sector, hog plums fruit, leaves and stem extract possess antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-tyrosinase, diuretic and febrifuge activities for the treatment of certain disease conditions, and it can be effectively preserved by wax coating of the fruits. Methanolic extract of Spondias contain methyl gallate, a substance that has the potential to facilitate apoptotic cell death in human glioblastoma, lung, and breast cancer Hog plums are also rich in vitamins, it strengthens the immune system, protects against heart disease, and stimulates the production of collagen which keeps the body healthy. It is a plant that has obvious and promising health benefits, and as such more research into its properties is advisable. Preservation of hog plum can be achieved by wax coating, retardation of ripening and senescence, and application of growth regulators.