PLANT INSIGHT: A DETAILED REVIEW OF PLANT SOURSOP (ANNONA MURICATA L)
HTML Full TextPLANT INSIGHT: A DETAILED REVIEW OF PLANT SOURSOP (ANNONA MURICATA L)
V. A. Bibin, Akshaya P. Rajan, Asna Haseen, Vrunda Mohan, M. L. Lal Prasanth and A. Anu Jagajith *
Dr. Moopen’s College of Pharmacy, Wayanad, Kerala, India.
ABSTRACT: The soursop plant scientifically known as Annona muricata L, is a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Annonaceae family. The tropical fruit-bearing soursop is used for traditional medicinal benefits. This review offers a thorough analysis of the soursop plant's pharmacological activities, phytochemical composition, and botanical characteristics. Soursop belongs to the Annonaceae family and is native to regions of South America, Asia, and Africa. The tree produces large, heart-shaped fruits with a delicate, white pulp that contains seeds and outer prickly green shell. The fruits are popular in drinks and sweets and are usually eaten raw.
Keywords: Soursop, Synonyms, Biological source, Macroscopic, Microscopy, Uses
INTRODUCTION: Tropical plant species Annona muricata L is well-known for its edible fruit, which possesses both some therapeutic and some toxicological properties. It is grown mostly in tropical region of the world from South America to Australia, Asia and Africa 1. Traditional medicine has utilized a variety of plant parts, such as the fruit, leaves, and seeds, for treating. Annona muricata L extracts and phytochemicals have been identified as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-protozoan, antioxidant, insecticidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic to tumour cells through the use of in-vitro experiments, in-vivo on Annona muricata L crude extracts, and isolated compounds shows that they had anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-tumoral, anti-ulcer, wound-healing, hepato-protective, and anxiolytic properties 2.
Biological Source: It consists of dried leaves and seeds of Annona muricata L family Annonaceae.
Taxonomical Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Spermatophyta
Subdivision: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Polycarpiceae
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Annona
Species: Annona muricata L.
Geographical Source: It is grown mostly in tropical region of the world from South America to Australia, Asia and Africa.
Chemical Constituents: Acetogenin, Vitamin A, vitamin B, Alkaloids, Phenols, secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, coumarins, lactones, anthraquinones, glycosides, tannins, and phytosterols and some minerals 3.
Plant: The soursop tree is an evergreen that can reach a height of 8 to 10 meters. The most tropical of the Annona species, soursop grows best in low elevations and hot, humid climates. It is thin, bushy, and has low branches 4.
The majority of its growth occurs below 1200 meters above sea level and more than 1500mm of annual rainfall. Soursop grows and produces well at 21 to 30ºC. Soursop can grow on many soil types but sandy to sandy loam soils of medium texture are suitable. The soil pH should be 6.0 and 6.5. The main propagation is done by seeds 4, 5.
FIG. 1: PLANT
Leaf: The plant that produces usually has large, glossy leaves that are dark green in color. And have smooth edges, oblong or oval shapes, and can reach lengths of s 7 to 20cm 1, 5.
FIG. 2: LEAF
Flower: The flowers of the soursop plant are quite unique and distinctive. They are generally small, with a diameter ranging from about 2 to 3 cm. Soursop flowers have a pale green to yellowish-green color and consist of three outer, fleshy, triangular petals and three inner, smaller, more narrow petals. Flowers are hermaphrodite, usually fragrant, and solitary or in groups of two or four, with fascicles of three green sepals and six petals arranged in two verticals 6, 7.
FIG. 3: FLOWER
Fruit: The soursop fruit, which is large and green fruit with a spiky, irregular surface & size about 8 to 12 length. Smooth surface and dark green color on fruit which indicates the fully matured and ripened fruit. It contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and fiberis white, fibrous, and juicy. Soursop fruit is low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals 8. Soursop fruit can be eaten fresh by scooping out the flesh with a spoon. It is also used to make juices, smoothies, sorbets, ice creams, and other desserts 9.
FIG. 4: FRUIT
Seeds: The seeds of the soursop fruit are dark brown to black in color and are 2 to 3 cm in length. It contains smooth, shiny surface and are oblong or oval-shaped. Seeds are surrounded by a white, fibrous pulp within the fruit. These seeds are not consumed due to their bitter taste 10.
FIG. 3: SEEDS
Microscopic Characters:
FIG. 5: CROSS SECTION OF MIDRIB
Cultivation:
Climate and Soil: Temperature required for optimum growth soursop trees between 75°F and 85°F (24°C and 29°C) 10. It requires high amount of sunlight, so it is planted in an area of high amount of sunlight.
It requires hot and humid climate, Ideal humidity required is 60-80%. Soursop tree requires regular water supply especially during the growing time. Soursop can be is grown on many soil types but sandy to sandy loamy. The soil pH should be 6.0 and 6.5 11.
Propagation: Propagation is mainly done by using seeds, grafting, cutting. Seeds should be planted as soon as possible after removal from the fruit for better germination. Fresh seeds are collected from fully ripe fruits, remove the pulp and residues which is remained in seeds 12, 13.
The seeds are directly planted to the soil about 1cm. Moisten the soil after planting the seeds until the germination occurs. After 3-5 weeks seeds will germinate. Then it is transferred to large area for growth. Cutting method is done by propagating the healthy stem from a mother plant 14.
Fertilizers: Adequate fertilizer supply which enhances better growth of plant. It includes organic matters, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. For one year old plant nitrogen 40g and potassium 60g are used 14.
Harvesting: Soursop which requires 5-0 month for formation of fruit after flowering. Determine the color produced by fruit and its size. Smooth surface and dark green color on fruit which indicates the fully matured and ripened fruit.
Avoid harvesting of fruit at unmatured state which does not yield sweet taste. Harvesting can be done by use of knife, cut the fruit without damaging the bark or leaves. Seeds are dark brown to black in color and having 2-3 cm in length. The seeds are surrounded by whit pulp from fruit 14.
Uses of Soursop Plant:
Insecticidal Activity: The primary bioactive chemicals found in soursop, including acetogenins, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds are responsible for its insecticidal properties. These compounds have been found to exhibit insecticidal properties against a range of insect pests 3, 6, 16.
Anti-ulcer: Anti-ulcer activity is due to the presence of alkaloid, acetogenin, flavonoid, tannin. The anti-ulcer activity of soursop leaves, primarily focusing on their ability to protect the stomach lining from damage and promote healing.
Soursop leaf extracts have the ability to reduce the formation of gastric acid, protect the stomach lining by producing more mucin, raise the amount of mucus in the stomach, and aid in the healing of damaged gastric mucosa 3, 7, 17.
Anti-diabetic: Soursop may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it potentially beneficial for managing diabetes. It has flavonoids that hydroxylate bonds and substitute at the b-ring to limit the action of α-glucosidase. This inhibition prevents the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose and decreases the absorption of glucose and hydrolysis of carbohydrates 3, 8, 18.
Anti-bacterial: Antibacterial activity of the extracts was demonstrated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria 3, 9, 11.
Anti-protozoal: A. muricata ethyl acetate leaf extract showed antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania spp 3, 10, 20.
Anti-malarial: The extracts from soursop leaves, seeds, and fruit possess antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for malaria. Compounds found in soursop, such as acetogenins, have been potential in malaria 3, 11, 20.
Anticancer: The anticancer activity of A. muricata is related to its cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Extracts from soursop have demonstrated cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines. These studies suggest that soursop extracts may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. A study that administered 300 mg of A. muricata leaf water extract to patients with colorectal cancer in capsule form after breakfast reported the inhibition of colorectal cancer cell growth. The leaf water extract has inhibitory activity against colorectal cancer cells and does not affect normal cell growth 3, 20.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Nil
REFERENCES:
- Idowu OP, Olubunmi SO and Peter A: The Biology and Ecology of Annona muricata, Soursop; State of Knowledge. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 2022; 7(3): 46.
- Patel MS and Patel JK: A review on a miracle fruits of Annona muricata. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2016; 5(1): 137-48.
- Mutakin M, Fauziati R, Fadhilah FN, Zuhrotun A, Amalia R and Hadisaputri YE: Pharmacological activities of soursop (Annona muricata). Molecules 2022; 27(4): 1201.
- Badrie N and Schauss AG: Soursop (Annona muricata): composition, nutritional value, medicinal uses, and toxicology. In Bioactive foods in promoting health. Academic Press 2010; 621-643.
- Terán-Erazo B, Alia-Tejacal I, Balois-Morales R, Juárez-Lopez P, López-Guzmán GG, Pérez-Arias GA and Núñez-Colín CA: Physical, chemical and morphological fruit characterization of soursoup (Annona muricata). Agrociencia (Montecillo) 2019; 53(7): 1013-27.
- Ugwu JA, Umeh VC and Kareem KT: Comparative efficacy of two plant extracts and cypermethrin against field insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus Agricultural Science & Technology 2022; 14(3): 1313-8820.
- Bento EB, de Brito Júnior FE, de Oliveira DR, Fernandes CN, de Araújo Delmondes G, Cesário FR, de Sousa Rodrigues CK, dos Santos Sales V, Lemos IC, Monteiro ÁB and de Menezes IR: Antiulcerogenic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Annona muricata Linnaeus in mice. Saudi J of Biol Sci 2018; 25(4): 609-21.
- Adefegha SA, Oyeleye SI and Oboh G: Distribution of phenolic contents, antidiabetic potentials, antihypertensive properties, and antioxidative effects of soursop (Annona muricata) fruit parts in-vitro. Biochemistry Research International 2015; 2015.
- Pai BM, Rajesh G, Shenoy R and Rao A: Anti-microbial efficacy of soursop leaf extract (Annona muricata) on oral pathogens: An in-vitro Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research JCDR 2016; 10(11): ZC01.
- Obum-Nnadi CN, Ezenwa CM, Amaechi D, Ohabughiro NB, Nnagbo PA, Nwokorie KS and Okoli CS: Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Properties of Annona muricata(Soursop). J Biomed Biosens 2022; 2: 43-59.
- Al O, Usman SO, Aina OO, Ogunkorede TO, Olawale T and Olayemi SO: Evaluation of the Antimalarial Effects of the Leaf Extract and Fruit Juice of Annona muricata against Plasmodium berghei Infection in Mice. University of Lagos Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 2022; 1(2).
- Álvarez E, Gañán L, Rojas-Triviño A, Mejía JF, Llano GA and González A: Diversity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species isolated from soursop in Colombia. European Journal of Plant Pathology 2014; 139: 325-38.
- Othman OC, Fabian C and Lugwisha E: Post harvest physicochemical properties of soursop (Annona muricata) fruits of Coast region, Tanzania. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences 2014; 2(5): 220-6.
- Othman OC, Fabian C and Lugwisha E: Post harvest physicochemical properties of soursop (Annona muricata) fruits of Coast region, Tanzania. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences 2014; 2(5): 220-6.
- Neta MT, de Jesus MS, da Silva JL, Araujo HC, Sandes RD, Shanmugam S and Narain N: Effect of spray drying on bioactive and volatile compounds in soursop (Annona muricata) fruit pulp. Food Research Inter 2019; 124: 70-7.
- Santos IL, Rodrigues AM, Amante ER and Silva LH: Soursop (Annona muricata) properties and perspectives for integral valorization. Foods 2023; 12(7): 1448.
- Jiménez VM, Gruschwitz M, Schweiggert RM, Carle R and Esquivel P: Identification of phenolic compounds in soursop (Annona muricata) pulp by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection. Food Research International 2014; 65: 42-6.
- Silva AA, Lima GS, Azevedo CA, Gheyi HR, Souza AR and Fernandes PD: Salicylic acid relieves the effect of saline stress on soursop morphysiology. Ciência E Agrotecnologia 2021; 45: 007021.
- Lee WZ, Chang SK, Khoo HE, Sia CM and Yim HS: Influence of different extraction conditions on antioxidant properties of soursop peel. Acta Scientiarum polonorum Technologia alimentaria 2016; 15(4): 419-28.
- Jaramillo-Flores ME and Hernandez-Sanchez H: Thermal diffusivity of soursop (Annona muricata) pulp. Journal of Food Engineering 2000; 46(2): 139-43.
How to cite this article:
Bibin VA, Rajan AP, Haseen A, Mohan V, Prasanth MLL and Jagajith AA: Plant insight: a detailed review of plant soursop (Annona muricata L). Int J Pharmacognosy 2024; 11(5): 177-81. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.11(5).177-81.
This Journal licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
Article Information
1
177-181
1487 KB
6
English
IJP
V. A. Bibin, Akshaya P. Rajan, Asna Haseen, Vrunda Mohan, M. L. Lal Prasanth and A. Anu Jagajith *
Dr. Moopen’s College of Pharmacy, Wayanad, Kerala, India.
akshayarajnp@gmail.com
29 April 2024
27 May 2024
28 May 2024
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.11(5).177-81
31 May 2024