Traditional, Medicinal and Nutraceutical Values of Minor Fruit: Longan

Abstract

This review will help to exploit the potential uses of longan, an exotic sub- tropical fruit which has high therapeutic values. In this review, traditional value, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and other uses have been focused. Longan fruits are very tasty and its organoleptic qualities are unique because fruit has a succulent, edible and white aril, which has gained popularity. Longan fruits have immense potential in food and pharmaceutical industries. Longan aril, peel and seed extract have anti-glycated, anti-tyrosinase and anticancer properties, and memory enhancing effects which contribute to healthy human health. In China, the entire area of litchi is shifting to longan, which indicates the importance of longan crop and free from production barriers (poor fruit set, fruit drop, sun burn, fruit cracking, insect and pests) in longan cultivation make it popular among the peoples in India. This review will highlight the uses of longan for different purposes.