Difference between revisions of "Guava" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox  
 
{{Taxobox  
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| name = Guava
 
| name = Guava
 
| image = Psidium guajava.jpg
 
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'''Guava''' (from [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]] '''''guayaba'''''), is a [[genus]] of about 100 [[species]] of [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s in the myrtle family [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]. In [[Hindi]] they are called '''''amrood''''' . The [[Bengali people|Bengali]] name '''''peyara''''' and the [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] name '''''bayaba''''' are probably local renditions of ''guayaba''.
+
'''Guava''' (from [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]] '''''guayaba'''''), is a [[genus]] of about 100 [[species]] of [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s in the myrtle family [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]], but now cultivated throughout the [[tropics]]. In [[Hindi]] as well as [[Urdu]] they are called '''''amrood''''' . In Sri Lanka they are called '''''Pera'''''. The [[Bengali people|Bengali]] name '''''peyara''''' (পেয়ারা) and the [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] name '''''bayabas''''' are probably local renditions of ''guayaba''. Numerous references in medical research identify guava as ''Psidium guajava''.
  
−
They are typical [[Myrtoideae]], with tough dark [[leaf|leaves]] that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate and 5-15 cm long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. The fruit are juicy.
+
They are typical [[Myrtoideae]], with tough dark [[leaf|leaves]] that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate and 5-15 cm long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens.  
  
 
In several tropical regions, including [[Hawaiʻi]], some species (namely [[Cattley Guava]], ''P. littorale'') have become [[invasive species|invasive weed]] shrubs. On the other hand, several species have become very rare and at least one ([[Jamaican Guava]], ''P. dumetorum''), is already [[extinct]].
 
In several tropical regions, including [[Hawaiʻi]], some species (namely [[Cattley Guava]], ''P. littorale'') have become [[invasive species|invasive weed]] shrubs. On the other hand, several species have become very rare and at least one ([[Jamaican Guava]], ''P. dumetorum''), is already [[extinct]].
Line 30: Line 27:
  
 
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
−
Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for their edible fruit. Several species are grown commercially; [[Apple Guava]] ''(P. guajava)'' and its [[cultivar]]s are those most commonly traded internationally.  
+
Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for their edible fruit. Several species are grown commercially; [[Apple Guava]] (''P. guajava'') and its [[cultivar]]s are those most commonly traded internationally.  
  
 
Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive as low as 5°C for short periods of time, but younger plants will not survive.  They are known to survive in Northern [[Pakistan]] where they can get down to 5°C or lower during the night. Guavas are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas, being one of the very few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots indoors.
 
Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive as low as 5°C for short periods of time, but younger plants will not survive.  They are known to survive in Northern [[Pakistan]] where they can get down to 5°C or lower during the night. Guavas are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas, being one of the very few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots indoors.
  
−
==Uses==
+
==Culinary uses==
−
A guava fruit is like a watermelon. The [[fruit]] is edible, round to [[pear]]-shaped, from 3-10 cm in diameter (up to 12 cm in some selected [[cultivar]]s). It has a thin delicate rind, pale green to yellow at maturity in some species, pink to red in others, a creamy white or orange-salmon flesh with many small hard seeds, and a strong, characteristic aroma that is hard to describe but generally reminiscent of refreshing fruit like [[apple]]s, [[passionfruit]] or [[strawberries]], with an inoffensive acidity and a fragrance reminiscent of [[rose]] petals. Guavas are often considered "[[superfruit]]s," being extremely rich in vitamins [[vitamin A|A]], [[vitamin B|B]], and [[vitamin C|C]]. A single guava fruit contains more vitamin C than a typical [[citrus]] fruit; the rind alone contains over five times more vitamin C than an orange. It also contains high amounts of calcium – which is unusual in a fruit.
+
The guava [[fruit]] is edible, round to [[pear]]-shaped, from 3-10 cm in diameter (up to 12 cm in some selected [[cultivar]]s). It has a thin delicate rind, pale green to yellow at maturity in some species, pink to red in others, a creamy white or orange-salmon flesh with many small hard seeds, and a strong, characteristic aroma that is hard to describe but generally reminiscent of refreshing fruit like [[apple]]s, [[passionfruit]] or [[strawberries]], with an inoffensive acidity and a fragrance reminiscent of [[rose]] petals.  
 +
 
 +
The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the middle which contains hard seeds embedded in the surrounding pulp. The pulp is sweetest and most delicious in the center, with the outer layer being sour and gritty like young [[pear]]s, while the [[peel (fruit)]] is sour in taste but richest in [[phytochemical]]s; it is usually discarded but can be eaten as an enriched source of [[essential nutrient]]s and [[polyphenol]]s.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11714349]</ref>
 +
 
 +
The fruit is also often prepared as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved [[plum|prune]] powder or salt. Boiled guava is also extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades (''[[goiabada]]''), and juices.  In Asia, a tea is made from guava fruits and leaves. In [[Egypt]] and [[South Africa]], guava [[juice]] is popular. Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, constituting a substitute for tomatoes, especially for those sensitive to the latter's acidity.
 +
 
 +
Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaii and may be used to [[barbecue]].  
  
−
The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the middle of the guava which contains the hard seeds, since the seeds are difficult to separate from the surrounding pulp. The pulp is sweetest and most delicious in the center though, with the outer layer being sourer with a gritty texture like young [[pear]]s, while the rind is slightly bitter and rather sour in taste but richest in vitamins; it is usually left over but sometimes eaten too.
+
''Psidium'' species are used as food plants by the [[caterpillar]]s of some [[Lepidoptera]], mainly [[moth]]s like the [[Ello Sphinx]] (''Erinnyis ello''), ''[[Eupseudosoma aberrans]]'', [[Snowy Eupseudosoma]] (''E. involutum'')and ''[[Hypercompe icasia]]''. [[Mite]]s like ''[[Pronematus pruni]]'' and ''[[Tydeus munsteri]]'' are known to [[parasitize]] [[Apple Guava]] (''P. guabaya'') and perhaps other species. The [[bacterium]] ''[[Erwinia psidii]]'' causes rot diseases of the Apple Guava.
  
−
The fruit is also often prepared in a variety of ways as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved [[plum|prune]] powder or salt. Boiled guava is also extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades ''([[goiabada]])'', and juices.  In Asia, a tea is made from guava fruits and leaves. In [[Egypt]] and [[South Africa]], guava [[juice]] is popular. Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, constituting a substitute for tomatoes, especially for those sensitive to the latter's acidity.
+
The fruit are also relished by many [[mammal]]s and [[bird]]s. The spread of introduced guavas owes much to this fact, as animals will eat the fruit and disperse the seeds in their droppings.
  
−
Guava leaves are used for medicinal purposes, as a remedy for [[diarrhea]]<ref>Kaljee ''et al.'' (2004)</ref>, and for their supposed [[antimicrobial]] properties.  The same anti-diarrheal substances which are useful in [[folk medicine]] may also cause [[constipation]] in the case of consumption of large amounts of guava fruits. In recent studies{{Fact|date=November 2007}}, guavas were found to have [[blood sugar]]-lowering properties. While testing is not fully conclusive, results have been promising as a natural means to help diabetics keep down blood sugar levels
+
==Nutrients and dietary antioxidant value==
  
−
Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaiʻi and is being used at [[barbecue]] competitions across the [[USA]]. In [[Cuba]] the leaves are also used in barbecues, providing a nice smoked flavor and scent to the meat.
+
Guavas are often considered [[superfruit]]s, being rich in vitamins [[vitamin A|A]] and [[vitamin C|C]], omega-3 and -6 [[polyunsaturated fatty acid]]s and especially high levels of [[dietary fiber]].  Containing about half the amount (37 mg per 100 g) of vitamin C as a raw orange, a single strawberry guava also has good levels of the [[dietary mineral]]s, [[potassium]] and [[magnesium]], and otherwise a broad, low-calorie profile of [[essential nutrient]]s.<ref>Nutrient profile for strawberry guava, Nutritiondata.com[http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20V6.html]</ref> Common guava has generally a more diverse and dense nutrient content, including extraordinary richness of vitamin C (228 mg per 100 g).<ref>Nutrient profile for common guava, Nutritiondata.com[http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20V5.html]</ref>
  
−
''Psidium'' species are used as food plants by the [[caterpillar]]s of some [[Lepidoptera]], mainly [[moth]]s like the [[Ello Sphinx]] ''(Erinnyis ello)'', ''[[Eupseudosoma aberrans]]'', [[Snowy Eupseudosoma]] ''(E. involutum)''and ''[[Hypercompe icasia]]''. [[Mite]]s like ''[[Pronematus pruni]]'' and ''[[Tydeus munsteri]]'' are known to [[parasitize]] [[Apple Guava]] ''(P. guabaya)'' and perhaps other species. The [[bacterium]] ''[[Erwinia psidii]]'' causes rot diseases of the Apple Guava.
+
Guavas contain both major classes of [[antioxidant]] [[pigment]]s — [[carotenoid]]s and [[polyphenol]]s, giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods.<ref>Mahattanatawee K, Manthey JA, Luzio G, Talcott ST, Goodner K, Baldwin EA. Total antioxidant activity and fiber content of select Florida-grown tropical fruits. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Sep 20;54(19):7355-63. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968105]</ref><ref>Hassimotto NM, Genovese MI, Lajolo FM. Antioxidant activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 20;53(8):2928-35.<ref>Jiménez-Escrig A, Rincón M, Pulido R, Saura-Calixto F. Guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) as a new source of antioxidant dietary fiber. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Nov;49(11):5489-93.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15826041]</ref>
  
−
The fruit are also relished by many [[mammal]]s and [[bird]]s. The spread of introduced guavas owes much to this fact, as animals will eat the fruit and shed the seeds again in their [[feces]] unharmed.
+
==Medical research==
 +
 
 +
Since the 1950s, guava, particularly its [[leaves]], has been a subject for diverse research in chemical identity of its constituents, [[pharmacological]] properties and history in [[folk medicine]].<ref>Gutiérrez RM, Mitchell S, Solis RV. Psidium guajava: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Feb 3[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18353572]</ref> For example, from preliminary medical research in laboratory models, [[extract]]s from guava leaves or bark are implicated in therapeutic mechanisms against [[cancer]], [[bacteria]]l infections, [[inflammation]] and [[pain]].<ref>Chen KC, Hsieh CL, Peng CC, Hsieh-Li HM, Chiang HS, Huang KD, Peng RY. Brain derived metastatic prostate cancer DU-145 cells are effectively inhibited in vitro by guava (Psidium gujava L.) leaf extracts. Nutr Cancer. 2007;58(1):93-106.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17571972]</ref><ref>Mahfuzul Hoque MD, Bari ML, Inatsu Y, Juneja VK, Kawamoto S. Antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) extracts against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2007 Winter;4(4):481-8.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18041957]</ref><ref>Ojewole JA. Antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats and mice. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Sep;28(7):441-6.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17003849]</ref> [[Essential oil]]s from guava leaves have shown strong anti-cancer activity [[in vitro]].<ref>Manosroi J, Dhumtanom P, Manosroi A.
 +
Anti-proliferative activity of essential oil extracted from Thai medicinal plants on KB and P388 cell lines. Cancer Lett. 2006 Apr;235(1):114-20.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15979235]</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Folk medicine applications==
 +
 
 +
Guava leaves are used as a remedy for [[diarrhea]]<ref>Kaljee ''et al.'' (2004)</ref>, and for their supposed [[antimicrobial]] properties. The same anti-diarrheal substances useful in [[folk medicine]] may also cause [[constipation]] when large amounts of guava fruits are consumed. Guava leaves or bark have been used traditionally to treat [[diabetes]].<ref>Mukhtar HM, Ansari SH, Bhat ZA, Naved T, Singh P. Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae). Pharmazie. 2006 Aug;61(8):725-7. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16964719]</ref><ref>Oh WK, Lee CH, Lee MS, Bae EY, Sohn CB, Oh H, Kim BY, Ahn JS. Antidiabetic effects of extracts from Psidium guajava. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):411-5. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619559]</ref>
  
 
==Selected species==
 
==Selected species==
 
[[Image:Psidium cattleianum.jpg|right|thumb|[[Strawberry Guava]], ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum'']]
 
[[Image:Psidium cattleianum.jpg|right|thumb|[[Strawberry Guava]], ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum'']]
−
* ''[[Psidium amplexicaule]]''
+
* ''Psidium amplexicaule''
−
* ''[[Psidium araao]]'' <small>Raddi</small>
+
* ''Psidium araao'' <small>Raddi</small>
−
* ''[[Psidium araca]]'' <small>Raddi</small>
+
* ''Psidium araca'' <small>Raddi</small>
−
* ''[[Psidium australe]]'' <small>[[Cambess.]]</small>   
+
* ''Psidium australe'' <small>[[Cambess.]]</small>   
 
* ''[[Psidium cinereum]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium cinereum]]''
−
* ''Psidium dumetorum'' – [[Jamaican Guava]], Jamaican Psidium ([[extinct]]: late 1970s)
+
* ''Psidium dumetorum'' &ndash; [[Jamaican Guava]], Jamaican Psidium ([[extinct]]: late 1970s)
−
* ''[[Psidium firmum]]'' <small>[[Otto Karl Berg|O.Berg]]</small>
+
* ''Psidium firmum'' <small>[[Otto Karl Berg|O.Berg]]</small>
−
* ''[[Psidium friedrichsthalium]]'' – [[Costa Rica Guava]], [[Cas Guava]]
+
* ''Psidium friedrichsthalium'' &ndash; [[Costa Rica Guava]], [[Cas Guava]]
−
* ''[[Psidium galapageium]]'' – [[Galápagos Guava]]
+
* ''Psidium galapageium'' &ndash; [[Galápagos Guava]]
−
* ''Psidium guajava'' – [[Apple Guava]], Common Guava
+
* ''Psidium guajava'' &ndash; [[Apple Guava]], Common Guava
−
* ''[[Psidium guineense]]'' <small>Sw.</small> – [[Guinea Guava]]
+
* ''Psidium guineense'' <small>Sw.</small> &ndash; [[Guinea Guava]]
 
* ''[[Psidium harrisianum]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium harrisianum]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium havanense]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium havanense]]''
−
* ''[[Psidium incanescens]]'' <small>[[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]</small>
+
* ''Psidium incanescens'' <small>[[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]</small>
−
* ''Psidium littorale'' (= ''P. cattleianum'') – [[Cattley Guava]], Peruvian Guava, ''"[[arazá]]"'' ([[Colombia]]), "Chinese Guava" (as [[invasive species]])
+
* ''Psidium littorale'' (= ''P. cattleianum'') &ndash; [[Cattley Guava]], Peruvian Guava, ''"[[arazá]]"'' ([[Colombia]]), "Chinese Guava" (as [[invasive species]])
−
** ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum'' – Strawberry Guava
+
** ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum'' &ndash; Strawberry Guava
−
** ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''littorale'' – Lemon Guava
+
** ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''littorale'' &ndash; Lemon Guava
−
* ''[[Psidium montanum]]'' – [[Mountain Guava]]
+
* ''Psidium montanum'' &ndash; [[Mountain Guava]]
 
* ''[[Psidium pedicellatum]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium pedicellatum]]''
−
* ''[[Psidium robustum]]'' <small>O.Berg</small>
+
* ''Psidium robustum'' <small>O.Berg</small>
 
* ''[[Psidium rostratum]]''
 
* ''[[Psidium rostratum]]''
−
* ''[[Psidium sartorianum]]'' – [[Sartre Guava]], ''"[[arrayán]]"'', ''[[guyabita del Peru]]'' ([[Panama]], [[Costa Rica]])
+
* ''Psidium sartorianum'' &ndash; [[Sartre Guava]], ''"[[arrayán]]"'', ''[[guyabita del Peru]]'' ([[Panama]], [[Costa Rica]])
−
* ''Psidium sintenisii'' – ''[[hoja menuda]]''
+
* ''Psidium sintenisii'' &ndash; ''[[hoja menuda]]''
−
* ''[[Psidium socorrense]]''
+
* ''Psidium socorrense''
−
* ''[[Psidium spathulatum]]'' <small>Mattos</small>
+
* ''Psidium spathulatum'' <small>Mattos</small>
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|Ripe guavas
 
Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|Ripe guavas
 
Image:Jambu Batu.jpg|Indonesian guavas
 
Image:Jambu Batu.jpg|Indonesian guavas
 +
Image:Apple Guava.jpg|Apple guavas
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==See also==
 
−
* [[Leslie R. Landrum]]
 
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
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==References==
 
==References==
−
* {{aut|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. [http://www.icddrb.org:8080/images/jhpn222_healthcare-use.pdf PDF full text]
+
* {{aut|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. [http://www.icddrb.org:8080/images/jhpn222_healthcare-use.pdf PDF fulltext]
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
All links Retrieved December 19, 2007.
+
{{commonscat|Psidium}}
−
 
 
 
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava]
 
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava]
 
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts]
 
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts]
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[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
−
[[Category:plants]]
+
[[Category:Plants]]
−
 
+
[[Category:Food]]
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
{{Credit|178519140}}
 

Revision as of 19:55, 22 April 2008

Guava
Apple Guava (Psidium guajava)
Apple Guava (Psidium guajava)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Subfamily: Myrtoideae
Genus: Psidium
L.
Species

About 100, see text.

Guava (from Arawak via Spanish guayaba), is a genus of about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, but now cultivated throughout the tropics. In Hindi as well as Urdu they are called amrood . In Sri Lanka they are called Pera. The Bengali name peyara (পেয়ারা) and the Tagalog name bayabas are probably local renditions of guayaba. Numerous references in medical research identify guava as Psidium guajava.

They are typical Myrtoideae, with tough dark leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate and 5-15 cm long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous stamens.

In several tropical regions, including Hawaiʻi, some species (namely Cattley Guava, P. littorale) have become invasive weed shrubs. On the other hand, several species have become very rare and at least one (Jamaican Guava, P. dumetorum), is already extinct.

The genera Accara and Feijoa (= Acca, Pineapple Guava) were formerly included herein too.

Cultivation

Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for their edible fruit. Several species are grown commercially; Apple Guava (P. guajava) and its cultivars are those most commonly traded internationally.

Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive as low as 5°C for short periods of time, but younger plants will not survive. They are known to survive in Northern Pakistan where they can get down to 5°C or lower during the night. Guavas are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas, being one of the very few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots indoors.

Culinary uses

The guava fruit is edible, round to pear-shaped, from 3-10 cm in diameter (up to 12 cm in some selected cultivars). It has a thin delicate rind, pale green to yellow at maturity in some species, pink to red in others, a creamy white or orange-salmon flesh with many small hard seeds, and a strong, characteristic aroma that is hard to describe but generally reminiscent of refreshing fruit like apples, passionfruit or strawberries, with an inoffensive acidity and a fragrance reminiscent of rose petals.

The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the middle which contains hard seeds embedded in the surrounding pulp. The pulp is sweetest and most delicious in the center, with the outer layer being sour and gritty like young pears, while the peel (fruit) is sour in taste but richest in phytochemicals; it is usually discarded but can be eaten as an enriched source of essential nutrients and polyphenols.[1]

The fruit is also often prepared as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved prune powder or salt. Boiled guava is also extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades (goiabada), and juices. In Asia, a tea is made from guava fruits and leaves. In Egypt and South Africa, guava juice is popular. Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, constituting a substitute for tomatoes, especially for those sensitive to the latter's acidity.

Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaii and may be used to barbecue.

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

The fruit are also relished by many mammals and birds. The spread of introduced guavas owes much to this fact, as animals will eat the fruit and disperse the seeds in their droppings.

Nutrients and dietary antioxidant value

Guavas are often considered superfruits, being rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and especially high levels of dietary fiber. Containing about half the amount (37 mg per 100 g) of vitamin C as a raw orange, a single strawberry guava also has good levels of the dietary minerals, potassium and magnesium, and otherwise a broad, low-calorie profile of essential nutrients.[2] Common guava has generally a more diverse and dense nutrient content, including extraordinary richness of vitamin C (228 mg per 100 g).[3]

Guavas contain both major classes of antioxidant pigments — carotenoids and polyphenols, giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods.[4]Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Medical research

Since the 1950s, guava, particularly its leaves, has been a subject for diverse research in chemical identity of its constituents, pharmacological properties and history in folk medicine.[5] For example, from preliminary medical research in laboratory models, extracts from guava leaves or bark are implicated in therapeutic mechanisms against cancer, bacterial infections, inflammation and pain.[6][7][8] Essential oils from guava leaves have shown strong anti-cancer activity in vitro.[9]

Folk medicine applications

Guava leaves are used as a remedy for diarrhea[10], and for their supposed antimicrobial properties. The same anti-diarrheal substances useful in folk medicine may also cause constipation when large amounts of guava fruits are consumed. Guava leaves or bark have been used traditionally to treat diabetes.[11][12]

Selected species

Strawberry Guava, Psidium littorale var. cattleianum
  • Psidium amplexicaule
  • Psidium araao Raddi
  • Psidium araca Raddi
  • Psidium australe Cambess.
  • Psidium cinereum
  • Psidium dumetorum – Jamaican Guava, Jamaican Psidium (extinct: late 1970s)
  • Psidium firmum O.Berg
  • Psidium friedrichsthalium – Costa Rica Guava, Cas Guava
  • Psidium galapageium – Galápagos Guava
  • Psidium guajava – Apple Guava, Common Guava
  • Psidium guineense Sw. – Guinea Guava
  • Psidium harrisianum
  • Psidium havanense
  • Psidium incanescens Mart.
  • Psidium littorale (= P. cattleianum) – Cattley Guava, Peruvian Guava, "arazá" (Colombia), "Chinese Guava" (as invasive species)
    • Psidium littorale var. cattleianum – Strawberry Guava
    • Psidium littorale var. littorale – Lemon Guava
  • Psidium montanum – Mountain Guava
  • Psidium pedicellatum
  • Psidium robustum O.Berg
  • Psidium rostratum
  • Psidium sartorianum – Sartre Guava, "arrayán", guyabita del Peru (Panama, Costa Rica)
  • Psidium sintenisii – hoja menuda
  • Psidium socorrense
  • Psidium spathulatum Mattos

  • 'Thai Maroon' guavas

  • Green guavas

  • Ripe guavas

  • Indonesian guavas

  • Apple guavas


Footnotes

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ Nutrient profile for strawberry guava, Nutritiondata.com[2]
  3. ↑ Nutrient profile for common guava, Nutritiondata.com[3]
  4. ↑ Mahattanatawee K, Manthey JA, Luzio G, Talcott ST, Goodner K, Baldwin EA. Total antioxidant activity and fiber content of select Florida-grown tropical fruits. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Sep 20;54(19):7355-63. [4]
  5. ↑ Gutiérrez RM, Mitchell S, Solis RV. Psidium guajava: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Feb 3[5]
  6. ↑ Chen KC, Hsieh CL, Peng CC, Hsieh-Li HM, Chiang HS, Huang KD, Peng RY. Brain derived metastatic prostate cancer DU-145 cells are effectively inhibited in vitro by guava (Psidium gujava L.) leaf extracts. Nutr Cancer. 2007;58(1):93-106.[6]
  7. ↑ Mahfuzul Hoque MD, Bari ML, Inatsu Y, Juneja VK, Kawamoto S. Antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) extracts against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2007 Winter;4(4):481-8.[7]
  8. ↑ Ojewole JA. Antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats and mice. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Sep;28(7):441-6.[8]
  9. ↑ Manosroi J, Dhumtanom P, Manosroi A. Anti-proliferative activity of essential oil extracted from Thai medicinal plants on KB and P388 cell lines. Cancer Lett. 2006 Apr;235(1):114-20.[9]
  10. ↑ Kaljee et al. (2004)
  11. ↑ Mukhtar HM, Ansari SH, Bhat ZA, Naved T, Singh P. Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae). Pharmazie. 2006 Aug;61(8):725-7. [10]
  12. ↑ Oh WK, Lee CH, Lee MS, Bae EY, Sohn CB, Oh H, Kim BY, Ahn JS. Antidiabetic effects of extracts from Psidium guajava. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):411-5. [11]

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • 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

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