Acerola (Malpigia granatolistna, Malpighia emarginata DC./Malpighia glabra L.) - zastosowanie w żywieniu, profilaktyce zdrowia oraz w pozyskiwaniu substancji o znaczeniu przemysłowym

Abstract

The paper contains a review of the latest scientific reports on the composition, properties and scope of health-promoting effects of the pomegranate malpiga, commonly known as acerola. The places of occurrence and territorial range of this species were described, as well as the current biochemical characteristics of acerola fruits and leaves. The areas of acerola influence on selected physiological processes in the human body were discussed, explaining their biochemical mechanisms. Recommendations for the consumption of acerola in the prevention of obesity and other chronic civilization and diet-related diseases, as well as in the context of shaping the body's immune resistance, were presented. The second part of the article, devoted to the industrial applications of acerola, describes the possibilities of using post-processing residues (by-products) from acerola to produce economically valuable products, such as flour, glucose, ethanol and biodegradable composites. The possibilities of using plant residues from acerola for microbiological preparation of bacterial cellulose and kombucha-type beverages characterized by high antioxidant and bioactive properties were also discussed.(original abstract)