Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
antioxidant activity, fruit Momordica cochinchinensis, gac, caroenoid constituents
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
The red fruit Momordica cochinchinensis (gac) grows indigenously throughout Southeast Asia and possesses naturally high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene. In much of Southeast Asia, rural populations suffer from chronic vitamin A deficiency.1 Currently, government programs distribute vitamin A capsules as supplements, but long-term solutions lie in food-based alternatives. At this time, gac fruit is only consumed during annual festivals when the red pulp of the fruit is used to color rice. Consumption of gac fruit has been shown to significantly increase plasma beta-carotene concentrations and could provide an inexpensive, food-based alternative to improving the vitamin A deficiency problem vexing many developing Asian countries.2
Recommended Citation
Secrest, Katherine and O'Neill, Dr. Kim
(2013)
"Comparative Study of Total Antioxidant Activity between the Fruit Momordica Cochinchinensis (gac) and its’ Major Carotenoid Constituents,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1197.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1197