Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online
Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com

Review

Volume 19, September 2022, pages 124-135

A review on fruits bioactive potential: an insight into phytochemical traits and their extraction methods

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Classification of dietary phytochemicals.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Chemical structure of bioactive compounds presents in fruits.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Illustration of different phytochemicals present in fruits.
Figure 4.
Figure 4. Different Polyphenols present in fruits.
Figure 5.
Figure 5. Digramatic representation of supercritical fluid extraction method.
Figure 6.
Figure 6. Ultrasound assisted extraction equipment.
Figure 7.
Figure 7. Schematic representation of extraction by microwave equipment.
Figure 8.
Figure 8. Representation of pulse electric equipment.

Tables

Table 1. Fruits phytochemicals and their functional activities
 
SourcesPhytochemicalsFunctionsReferences
Pomegranates, grapes, bilberry, choke-berry, elderberry, and all tart cherriesAnthocyaninThe antioxidants and free radical-fighting compounds may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer properties.Yousuf et al., 2016
Apples, berries, cherries, and citrus fruitsFlavonoidsThe flavonoids aid in the regulation of cellular activities. They fight against free radicals that cause oxidative stress, are effective in the proper functioning of the body, and also shield it from everyday contaminants and stressors.Waheed Janabi et al., 2020
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and other berriesPhenolic acidsPhenolic acids are potentially effective antioxidants which prevent cell damage caused by free-radical oxidation processes, which can cause cancer and other diseases. They are easily absorbed through intestinal tract walls. Humans’ anti-inflammation capacity is also enhanced by Phenolic acids when consumed regularly.Di Domenico et al., 2015
Pumpkin and watermelonAlpha-carotene and Beta-caroteneThe two forms of -carotene are primarily considered vitamin A precursors. In addition to their therapeutic role as vitamin A precursors, these carotenoids are also associated with the prevention of various cancers, including skin cancer and breast cancer.Glowka et al., 2019
Kiwi fruit, grapes, and orangeLutein and zeaxanthinZeaxanthin and lutein are powerful antioxidants responsible for protecting body against free radicals. Free radicals, in excess, can harm your cells, speed up the aging process, and accelerate the progression of diseases including heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.Becerra et al., 2020
Watermelon, grapefruit, guava, papaya, etc.LycopeneCarotenoids in human blood, including lycopene, combat oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Lycopene is an important detoxifier of singlet oxygen (a reactive form of oxygen).Suwanaruang, 2016
BlueberriesPolyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyaninsIt reduces the risk of cancer, cardiovascular activity, and diabetes.Bhise and Morya, 2021
GooseberriesGallic acid, Ascorbic acidIt has anti-ulcerous, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-diabetic properties.Bhise and Morya, 2021

 

Table 2. Health benefits and bioactive principles of the fruits
 
FruitsBioactive principlesHealth benefitsReference
PineappleBromelainAnti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, nervous system monitoring, and bowel movement easingAli et al., 2020
Mango, blueberry, blackberry, strawberryGallic acidAntioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, gastrointestinal health, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory propertiesHussain et al., 2020
StrawberriesEllagic acidAnti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and prebiotic propertiesNair and Agrawal, 2017
GrapesResveratrol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids.Cardiovascular health, weight maintenance and eye visionKalt et al., 2019
PapayaPapain, carpaine and carposideAnti-cancer properties.Kumar and Devi, 2017
Banana, Apple, BerriesQuercetin, catechin, gallic acid, phloretinImproves lipid metabolism, antioxidant, gastrointestinal function, metabolic diseases (hyperglycemia, insulin resistance).Skinner et al., 2018

 

Table 3. Testing for the determination of phytochemicals
 
TestReagentEndpointReferences
Alkaloids testing
  Mayer TestMayer reagentWhite creamy precipitate formBanu and Cathrine, 2015
  Wagner testWagner reagentReddish-brown precipitate formShahzad et al., 2020
  Dragendroff’s testDragendroff’s reagentOrange or orange-red precipitate formRaal et al., 2020
  Hager testHager reagent (saturated solution of Picric acid)Yellow precipitate formKancherla et al., 2019
Carbohydrate testing
  Molish’s testMolisch’s reagent (a solution of ∝-naphthol in ethanolpurple or reddish-purpleElzagheid, 2018
  Fehling’s testFehling reagent A: (CuSO4.5H20); Fehling reagent B (Sodium Potassium Tartrate)Reddish-brown color appearsDe-Silva et al., 2017
  Barfoed testBarfoed reagent (solution of copper acetate added to acetic acid)Red precipitate formRajasree et al., 2021
  Seliwanoffs testSeliwanoffs reagent (resorcinol and concentrated HCL)Cheery red color formSánchez-Viesca and Gómez, 2018
Protein testing
  Millon testMillon’s reagent (mercuric nitrate and mercurous nitrate dissolve in concentrated Nitric acid)Brick red colour formKamineni et al., 2016
  Ninhydrin testNinhydrin reagentFor primary/Secondary amines- deep purple color appears; For hydroxyproline and proline-yellow color appears; For asparagine-brown color appearsDe-Silva et al., 2017
  Xanthoproteic testXathoproteic reagent (test solution: tyrosine, phenylalanine, albumin, tryptophan; Nitric acid NaOHDark yellow or orange-colored solution formTiwari et al., 2011
Test for Flavonoids
  Lead acetate testLead acetate solution in water NaOHBlack precipitate at the bottom of the flask will formKamineni et al., 2016
Test for Phytosterols
  Salkwoski TestChloroform solution of steroid is mixed with concentrated sulphuric acidReddish-brown color will formLaveena and Chandra, 2017
  Libermann-Burchard’s testThe concentrated solution of chloroform, acetic anhydride, sulphuric acidGreen or greenish-blue color will formNoormazlinah et al., 2019.
Test for Phenols
  Tannin TestFerric chlorideGreenish to black color will formHayat et al., 2020

 

Table 4. : Advanced techniques for determination of phytochemicals
 
Advanced techniquesProcessReferences
Gas chromatographyThe sample is distributed between the gas and liquid phase. Migration of sample depends upon the quantity of chemical which is distributed in the liquid phase.Rasul, 2018
HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography)In this technique, components are separated on the basis of interaction between solid particles of column and solvent of the mobile phase. This technique needs 400 bar pressure and components are not decomposed or eluted in this technique.Marques et al., 2018
HPLC–MS (High-performance liquid mass spectroscopy)A mixture of components is separated first followed by ionization and separation of ions according to mass/ charge ratio.Katanić Stanković et al., 2020
HPTLC (High-performance thin layer chromatography)Separation of components is done by using an advanced work station. The layers are coated with sorbent having particle size (5–7 microns) and thickness (150–200 microns). The reduction in layer and particle size results in increasing plate efficiency with the nature of separation.Blebea and Negreș, 2018
OPLC (Optimum performance laminar chromatography)Combination of TLC and HPLC. It separates about 10–15 mg of sample.Banjo et al., 2018