Guava

Guava

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Guava
Apple Guava (Psidium guajava)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Subfamily:	Myrtoideae
Tribe:	Myrteae
Genus:	Psidium L.[1]
Species
About 100, see text
Synonyms[2]
Calyptropsidium O.Berg Corynemyrtus (Kiaersk.) Mattos Cuiavus Trew Episyzygium Suess. & A.Ludw. Guajava Mill. Guayaba Noronha Mitropsidium Burret

Guavas (singular guava, /ˈɡwɑː.və/)^[3] are plants in the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genusPsidium, which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, subtropical regions of North America, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia andSpain.

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Types
• 2 Common names
• 3 Ecology
  • 3.1 Fruit
  • 3.2 Range
• 4 Culinary uses
• 5 Nutritional value
• 6 Potential medical uses
• 7 Selected species
  • 7.1 Formerly placed here
• 8 See also
• 9 Footnotes
• 10 References
• 11 External links

Types[edit]

Apple Guava (Psidium guajava) flower

The most frequently eaten species, and the one often simply referred to as "the guava", is the Apple Guava (Psidium guajava).^{[citation needed]}. Guavas are typical Myrtoideae, with tough darkleaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate and 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long. Theflowers are white, with five petals and numerousstamens.

The genera Accara and Feijoa (= Acca, Pineapple Guava) were formerly included inPsidium.^{[citation needed]}

Common names[edit]

The term "guava" appears to derive from Arawak guayabo "guava tree", via the Spanish guayaba. It has been adapted in many European and Asian languages, having a similar form.

Another term for guavas is pera, derived from pear. It is common around the western Indian Ocean and probably derives from Spanish or Portuguese. In some Middle-Eastern regions including Pakistan and North India, guava is also called amrood, possibly a variant ofarmoot meaning "pear" in Arabic and Turkish languages.

Ecology[edit]

Psidium species are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera, mainly moths like the Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello),Eupseudosoma aberrans, E. involutum, and Hypercompe icasia. Mites like Pronematus pruni and Tydeus munsteri are known toparasitize the Apple Guava (P. guajava) and perhaps other species. The bacterium Erwinia psidii causes rot diseases of the Apple Guava.

The fruit is not only relished by humans, but by many mammals and birds as well. The spread of introduced guavas owes much to this fact, since animals eat the fruit and disperse the seeds in their droppings.

In several tropical regions, including Hawaii and Florida, some species (namely Strawberry Guava, P. littorale, and to a lesser extent Apple Guava) have become invasive species. On the other hand, several species have become very rare due to habitat destruction and at least one (Jamaican Guava, P. dumetorum), is already extinct.

Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaii and is used at barbecue competitions across the United States. In Cuba and Mexicothe leaves are used in barbecues.

Fruit[edit]

Ripe apple guavas for sale in Bangalore,India

Guava fruit, usually 4 to 12 centimetres (1.6 to 4.7 in) long, are round or oval depending on the species. The outer skin may be rough, often with a bitter taste, or soft and sweet. Varying between species, the skin can be any thickness, is usually green before maturity, but becomes yellow, maroon, or green when ripe.

Guava fruit generally have a pronounced and typical fragrance, similar to lemon rind but less sharp. Guava pulp may be sweet or sour, tasting something between pear and strawberry, off-white ("white" guavas) to deep pink ("red" guavas), with the seeds in the central pulp of variable number and hardness, depending on species.

Range[edit]

Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries. Several species are grown commercially; apple guava and its cultivars are those most commonly traded internationally.

Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive temperatures slightly colder than 25 °F (−4 °C) for short periods of time, but younger plants will likely freeze to the ground.^[4] Guavas are grown in South Florida as far north as Sarasota, on the west coast, and Fort Pierce, on the east coast. However, they are a primary host of the Caribbean Fruit Fly and must be protected against infestation in areas of Florida where this pest is present.^[5]

Guavas are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas. They are one of the few tropical fruits that can grow to fruiting size in pots indoors. When grown from seed, guavas can bear fruit as soon as two years, or as long as eight years.

Culinary uses[edit]

In Mexico, the guava agua fresca beverage is popular. The entire fruit is a key ingredient in punch, and the juice is often used in culinary sauces (hot or cold), as well as artisan candies, dried snacks, fruit bars, desserts, or dipped in Chamoy. Pulque de Guava is a popular blend of the native alcoholic beverage.

In many countries, guava is eaten raw, typically cut into quarters or eaten like an apple, whereas in other countries it's eaten with a pinch of salt and pepper, cayenne powder or a mix of spices (masala). It is known as the winter national fruit of Pakistan. In the Philippines, ripe guava is used in cooking sinigang. Guava is a popular snack in Taiwan, sold on many street corners and night markets during hot weather, accompanied by packets of dried plum powder mixed with sugar and salt for dipping. In east Asia, guava is commonly eaten with sweet and sour dried plum powder mixtures. Guava juice is popular in many countries. The fruit is also often prepared in fruit salads.

Because of its high level of pectin, guavas are extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, and marmalades (such as Brazilian goiabada and Colombian and Venezuelan bocadillo), and also for juices and aguas frescas or may be used in a marmalade jam on toast.

Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, substituting for tomatoes, especially to minimize acidity. A drink may be made from an infusion of guava fruits and leaves which in Brazil is called chá-de-goiabeira, i.e. "tea" of guava tree leaves, considered medicinal.

Nutritional value[edit]

Guavas, common Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 285 kJ (68 kcal) Carbohydrates 14.32 g - Sugars 8.92 g - Dietary fiber 5.4 g Fat 0.95 g Protein 2.55 g Vitamin A equiv. 31 μg (4%) - beta-carotene 374 μg (3%) Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.067 mg (6%) Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.04 mg (3%) Niacin (vit. B3) 1.084 mg (7%) Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.451 mg (9%) Vitamin B6 0.11 mg (8%) Folate (vit. B9) 49 μg (12%) Choline 7.6 mg (2%) Vitamin C 228.3 mg (275%) Vitamin K 2.2 μg (2%) Calcium 18 mg (2%) Iron 0.26 mg (2%) Magnesium 22 mg (6%) Manganese 0.15 mg (7%) Phosphorus 40 mg (6%) Potassium 417 mg (9%) Sodium 2 mg (0%) Zinc 0.23 mg (2%) Lycopene 5204 µg Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Guavas are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and the dietary minerals,potassium, copper and manganese. Having a generally broad, low-calorie profile ofessential nutrients, a single common guava (P. guajava) fruit contains about four times the amount of vitamin C as an orange.^[6]

However, nutrient content varies across guava cultivars. Although the strawberry guava (P. littorale var. cattleianum) has about 25% of the amount found in more common varieties, its total vitamin C content in one serving (90 mg) still provides 100% of the Dietary Reference Intake for adult males.^[7]

Guavas contain both carotenoids and polyphenols like (+)-gallocatechin,^[8] guaijaverin,leucocyanidin and amritoside^[9]–the major classes of antioxidant pigments – giving them relatively high potential antioxidant value among plant foods.^[10] As these pigments produce the fruit skin and flesh color, guavas that are red-orange have more pigment content as polyphenol, carotenoid and pro-vitamin A, retinoid sources than yellow-green ones.^[11]

Green apple guavas are less rich in pigment antioxidants 'Thai maroon' guavas, a red apple guava cultivar, rich in carotenoids and polyphenols

Potential medical uses[edit]

This section needs more medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources. Please review the contents of the section and add the appropriate references if you can. Unsourced or poorly sourced material may be removed. (September 2012)

Since the 1950s, guavas – particularly the leaves – have been the subject for diverse research on their constituents, pharmacologicalproperties and history in folk medicine.^[12] Most research, however, has been conducted on apple guava (P. guajava), with other species remaining unstudied. From preliminary medical research in laboratory models, extracts from apple guava leaves or bark are implicated in therapeutic mechanisms against cancer, bacterial infections, inflammation and pain.^[13][14][15] Essential oils from guava leaves display anti-cancer activity in vitro.^[16]

Guava leaves are used in folk medicine as a remedy for diarrhea^[17] and, as well as the bark, for their supposed antimicrobial properties and as an astringent. Guava leaves or bark are used in traditional treatments against diabetes.^[18][19][20] In Trinidad, a tea made from young leaves is used for diarrhea, dysentery and fever.^[21]

Selected species[edit]

Lemon Guava, Psidium littorale var.littorale

Strawberry Guava, Psidium littoralevar. cattleianum

Shedding bark of Guava tree

Psidium amplexicaule Psidium araao Psidium araca Psidium australe Psidium cattleianum – Cattley Guava, Peruvian Guava, "arazá" (Colombia), "Chinese Guava" (as invasive species) Psidium cattleianum var. cattleianum – Strawberry Guava Psidium cattleianum var. littorale – Lemon Guava, waiawī (Hawaiʻi) Psidium cinereum Psidium claraense Psidium dumetorum Psidium firmum Psidium friedrichsthalianum – Costa Rican Guava, Cas Psidium galapageium – Galápagos Guava Psidium guajava L. – Apple Guava, Common Guava Psidium guineense Sw. – Guinea Guava,araçá-do-campo (Brazil) Psidium harrisianum Urb. Psidium havanense Urb.

Psidium incanescens Mart. Psidium montanum Sw. – Mountain Guava Psidium pedicellatum Psidium robustum Psidium rostratum Psidium rufum, Purple Guava Psidium sartorianum Sartre Guava,"arrayán" (Mexico), guyabita del Peru(Panama, Costa Rica), cambuí (Brazil) Psidium sintenisii – hoja menuda Psidium socorrense Psidium spathulatum[22]

Formerly placed here[edit]

• Acca macrostema (as P. macrostemum
• Campomanesia adamantium (as P. adamantium Cambess.)
• Campomanesia aromatica (as P. aromatica Aubl.)
• Campomanesia grandiflora (as P. grandiflorum Aubl.)
• Campomanesia guaviroba (as P. cerasoides Cambess. or P. guaviroba DC.)
• Campomanesia lineatifolia (as P. rivulare DC.)
• Campomanesia pubescens (as P. corymbosum Cambess., P. obversum Miq. or P. pubescens
• Eugenia salamensis var. rensoniana (as P. rensonianum Standl.)
• Myrciaria dubia (as P. dubium Kunth)^[22]

See also[edit]

• Leslie R. Landrum, guava botanist

Footnotes[edit]

1. Jump up^ "Genus: Psidium L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
2. Jump up^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families".
3. Jump up^ "Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus".Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
4. Jump up^ Julian W. Sauls (December 1998). "HOME FRUIT PRODUCTION-GUAVA". Texas A&M Horticulture program. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
5. Jump up^ Boning, Charles R. (2006). Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 99. ISBN 1561643726.
6. Jump up^ Nutritiondata.com. "Nutrition facts for common guava". Retrieved August 17, 2010.
7. Jump up^ Nutritiondata.com. "Nutrition facts for strawberry guava". Retrieved August 17, 2010.
8. Jump up^ Identification of (+)-gallocatechin as a bio-antimutagenic compound in Psidium guava leaves. Tomoaki Matsuo, Norifumi Hanamure, Kayoko Shimoi, Yoshiyuki Nakamura and Isao Tomita, Phytochemistry, Volume 36, Issue 4, July 1994, Pages 1027-1029, doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90484-9
9. Jump up^ Polyphenols of the leaves of psidium guava—quercetin, guaijaverin, leucocyanidin and amritoside. T.R. Seshadri and Krishna Vasishta, Phytochemistry, Volume 4, Issue 6, 1965, Pages 989-992, doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86281-0
10. Jump up^ Jiménez-Escrig et al. (2001), Hassimotto et al. (2005), Mahattanatawee et al. (2006)
11. Jump up^ Wrolstad (2001)
12. Jump up^ Gutiérrez et al. (2008)
13. Jump up^ Ojewole (2006)
14. Jump up^ Chen et al. (2007)
15. Jump up^ Mahfuzul Hoque et al. (2007)
16. Jump up^ Manosroi et al. (2006)
17. Jump up^ Kaljee et al. (2004)
18. Jump up^ Oh et al. (2005)
19. Jump up^ Mukhtar et al. (2006)
20. Jump up^ (free registration required) Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Guava Leaf Extract, Medscape, from Nutrition and Metabolism, Y Deguchi and K Miyazaki, 2010
21. Jump up^ Mendes 1986), p. 65
22. ^ Jump up to:^a b "GRIN Species Records of Psidium". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-02-05.

References[edit]

• Chen, Kuan-Chou; Hsieh, Chiu-Lan; Peng, Chiung-Chi; Hsieh-Li, Hsiu-Mei; Chiang, Han-Sun; Huang, Kuan-Dar & Peng, Robert Y.(2007): Brain derived metastatic prostate cancer DU-145 cells are effectively inhibited in vitro by guava (Psidium gujava L.) leaf extracts. Nutr. Cancer 58(1): 93–106. HTML abstract
• Gutiérrez, R.M.; Mitchell, S. & Solis, R.V. (2008): Psidium guajava: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 117(1): 1–27. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.01.025 (HTML abstract)
• Hassimotto, N.M.; Genovese, M.I. & Lajolo, F.M. (2005): Antioxidant activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 53(8): 2928–2935. doi:10.1021/jf047894h (HTML abstract)
• Healthaliciousness.com [2008]: Nutrient facts comparison for common guava, strawberry guava, and oranges. Retrieved 2008-DEC-21.
• Jiménez-Escrig, A.; Rincón, M.; Pulido, R. & Saura-Calixto, F. (2001): Guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) as a new source of antioxidant dietary fiber. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 49(11): 5489–5493. doi:10.1021/jf010147p (HTML abstract)
• Kaljee, Linda M.; Thiem, Vu Dinh; von Seidlein, Lorenz; Genberg, Becky L.; Canh, Do Gia; Tho, Le Huu; Minh, Truong Tan; Thoa, Le Thi Kim; Clemens, John D. & Trach, Dang Duc (2004): Healthcare Use for Diarrhoea and Dysentery in Actual and Hypothetical Cases, Nha Trang, Viet Nam. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition 22(2): 139-149. PDF fulltext
• Mahattanatawee, K.; Manthey, J.A.; Luzio, G.; Talcott, S.T.; Goodner, K. & Baldwin, E.A. (2006): Total antioxidant activity and fiber content of select Florida-grown tropical fruits. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 54(19): 7355–7363. doi:10.1021/jf060566sPDF fulltext
• Mahfuzul Hoque, M.D.; Bari, M.L.; Inatsu, Y.; Juneja, V.K. & Kawamoto, S. (2007): Antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajavaL.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) extracts against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease 4(4): 481–488. doi:10.1089/fpd.2007.0040 PDF fulltext
• Manosroi, J.; Dhumtanom, P. & Manosroi, A. (2006): Anti-proliferative activity of essential oil extracted from Thai medicinal plants on KB and P388 cell lines. Cancer Letters 235(1): 114–120. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2005.04.021 PMID 15979235 (HTML abstract)
• Mendes, John (1986). Cote ce Cote la: Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary. Arima, Trinidad.
• Mukhtar, H.M.; Ansari, S.H.; Bhat, Z.A.; Naved, T. & Singh, P. (2006): Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae). Pharmazie 61(8): 725–727. PMID 16964719 (HTML abstract)
• Oh, W.K.; Lee, C.H.; Lee, M.S. et al. (2005): Antidiabetic effects of extracts from Psidium guajava. J. Ethnopharmacol. 96(3): 411–415. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.09.041 (HTML abstract)
• Ojewole, J.A. (2006): Antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats and mice. Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 28(7): 441–446. doi:10.1358/mf.2006.28.7.1003578 (HTML abstract)
• Wrolstad, Ronald E. (2001): The Possible Health Benefits of Anthocyanin Pigments and Polyphenolics. Version of May 2001. Retrieved 2008-DEC-21.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psidium.

Wikispecies has information related to: Psidium

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Guava

• Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava
• California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts