Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple): bioactive compounds, nutritional profile, nutraceutical properties and potential food applications: a review

Abstract

Abstract Herbal remedies and related foods provide healing properties for a range of diseases, resulting in a higher standard of living. Bitter apple is extremely beneficial due to its bioactive and nutraceutical compounds. Increasing awareness among consumers across the world about this unique fruit’s properties may provide huge opportunities for the supplier of herbal products as well as their use in the food industry. It has significant applications in the field of food technology. This review focused on the important features of bitter apple mainly, bioactive compounds, their mode of action, medical applications, chemical characteristics, chemical compounds, and the latest research on the pharmacological interventions of bitter apple extracts. This review also highlights the potential use of bitter apples in the food industry as well as their application in nanotechnology for the formation of nanoparticles. Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Bioactive compounds
• Bitter apple
• Citrullus colocynthis
• Medicinal properties
• Nanoparticles
• Food industry