Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Tropical fruits are low to moderate sources of macronutrients and good
sources of micronutrients. For example, while most fruits have 10-20 mg of
calcium, mango only has ~1.2 mg. Iron ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 mg. Banana
and durian are good sources of potassium, having 100-200 mg. Some fruits
are good sources of folate, and most are high sources of vitamin C (>20 mg).
The beta-carotene in fruit varies widely, depending upon the content of the
dif erent carotenes present. The dif erent varieties of mangoes can vary in beta-
carotene from 350 to 13,000 mcg. Other components present in tropical fruits
include antioxidants and other phytochemicals that have potential health-
promoting ef ects, with various claims being made.
Nutrient and health claims are frequently made for tropical fruits.
Codex
Alimentarius
(2001)
has set standards for health-claim labelling. Using these
standards, some nutrient claims can be made for tropical fruit (Table 1.3). For
example, for a product to be low in fat it must have less than 3 g/100 g; for a
tropical fruit to be a 'source' of a particular nutrient it must contain 15% and
a 'high source' 30% of the
Codex Alimentarius
(2001)
reference nutrient value.
SIGNIFICANT TRENDS - PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
The production and world trade in fresh tropical fruits is expected to expand
(Sarris, 2003). Most of the production occurs in developing countries (98%),
while developed countries are the major importers (80%). Citrus and bananas
are traded worldwide, followed by mango, pineapple, papaya and avocado.
Table 1.3.
Potential nutrient claims that can be made for fresh tropical fruits using
standards from Codex Alimentarius (2001).
Nutrient claim
Fruit
Energy
Fat
Vitamin A
Folate
Vitamin C
Avocado
Source
Source
Banana
Low
Source
Carambola
Low
Low
High
Durian
Low
High
Guava
Low
Low
High
Lime
Low
Low
High
Litchi
Low
High
High
Longan
Low
Source
High
Mango
Low
High
Source
High
Papaya
Low
Low
Source
Source
High
Passion fruit
Low
High
Pineapple
Low
High
Rambutan
Low
High
