International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Rekha Bora
Abstract: Blood fruit (Haematocarpus validus Bakh. f. ex Forman) is a lesser-known, underutilized woody climber or liana belonging to the family Menispermaceae, mainly found in Northeast India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and few other parts of Southeast Asia. It has long been used by indigenous communities as a fruit and traditional medicine for treating blood-related disorders, jaundice, and skin ailments. The fruit is rich in iron, vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, making it a valuable source of natural antioxidants with potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and natural dye industries. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the taxonomy, distribution, botanical characteristics, traditional uses, nutritional and phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, ecological importance, and commercial potential of H. validus. It also focusses on current work on its anthocyanin content, physicochemical properties, and value-added applications. Although recent studies have been conducted on this plant, research on this species remains limited. Therefore, this review identifies the major research gaps and emphasizes the need for further studies on conservation, cultivation, product development, and sustainable utilization to promote the wider use of this valuable native fruit while supporting biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21065874
