Dragon Fruit

Overview

Dragon fruit is native to Mexico but is now cultivated worldwide, including in Vietnam, Taiwan, Southern China, Israel, and more recently in Thailand, Australia, the United States, and Malaysia. Regarded as an outstanding source of natural antioxidants and micronutrients, this superfruit is not only being consumed fresh but also being transformed into major ingredients for many innovative food products.

Vernacular Names

Cardo-ananás (Brazilian), Huǒ lóng guǒ (Chinese), Distelbirne (German), Pitaya (Israel), Caliz (Philippines), Thanh long (Vietnamese).

Agroecology

It can be cultivated in the tropics or dry subtropics with mean temperatures of 20–30 °C. It grows best on well drained red yellow podzolic, reddish brown earth or lateritic soils especially when supplemented with organic matter at pH of 5.5–6.5. Its moisture is 600–1,500 mm mean annual rainfall.

Morphology

• Roots - hanging root, epiphytic, vine and stick to other plants, do not only grow at the base of the stem in the soil but also in the crevices of the stem.
• Stems - three­-winged, the wings 2–3 cm wide, crenate with green, fleshy, ­much-branched stems with scalloped, horny margins.
• Flowers - nocturnal, fragrant, 25–30 cm long, 15–25 cm by 15–34 cm, sepaloid perianth parts greenish white.
• Fruits - large, red, non-spiny berry, oblong-oval, 5–12.5 cm long by 4–9 cm across, the flesh is deep red, juicy.
• Seeds - tiny black, scattered in the pulp.

Cultivation

• Propagated by stem cuttings.
• The plants are self sterile and have to be pollinated by bats and moths. Hand pollination is recommended for good fruit production.
• For commercial cultivation artificial ­supports such as concrete or wooden post, fences and trees has to be provided for this epiphyte.
• They can have 4-6 fruiting cycles per year.

Chemical Constituents

Flavonoid, thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine, cobalamin, phenolic, betacyanins, polyphenol, carotene, phosphorus and phytoalbumin.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Medicinal Uses

• It has high amount of antioxidant property.
• The stems and flowers have been used for medicinal purposes to treat diabetes, as a diuretic and to help wound healing.
• The fruit has been found to have a preventive effect on cardiovascular disease, to reduce cholesterol, help the digestive system and prevent cancer.
• The seeds are indigestible and have a mild laxative effect.
• Exhibited protective activity against the elevation of skin vascular permeability.
• The flesh ethanolic extract act as prebiotics, which assists in the growth of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, which will assist in the digestion and keep the immune system strong.

Traditional Uses

• Ancient Mayas traditionally used the flowers for hypoglycemic purposes, as a diuretic and healing agent.