Difference between revisions of "Guava" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox  
 
{{Taxobox  
 
| name = Guava
 
| name = Guava
 
| image = Psidium guajava.jpg
 
| image = Psidium guajava.jpg
 
| image_width = 240px
 
| image_width = 240px
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| image_caption = [[Apple Guava]] (''Psidium guajava'')
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| image_caption = [[Apple guava]] ''(Psidium guajava)''
 
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
 
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
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}}
 
}}
  
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'''Guava'''  is the common name for any of the various [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s comprising the [[New World]] [[genus]] '''''Psidium''''' of the [[myrtle]] family ([[Myrtaceae]]), characterized by tough, dark, opposite [[leaf|leaves]] and an edible berry. The term also is used for the guava [[fruit]], which is a true [[berry]].  
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'''Guava'''  is the common name for any of the various [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s comprising the [[New World]] [[genus]] '''''Psidium''''' of the [[myrtle]] family ([[Myrtaceae]]), characterized by tough, dark, opposite [[leaf|leaves]] and an edible [[fruit]]. The term guava also is used for the fruit, which is a true [[berry]].  
  
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The name guava particularly is associated with the commercially important common or apple guava, ''Psidium guajava'', which is grown for its sweet, juicy fruit. The cattley guava, ''Psidium littorale'' (syn. ''P. cattleianum'') is another well-known species, with a red-fruited variety known as the strawberry guava, and a yellow-fruited variety known as lemon guava.
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The name guava particularly is associated with the commercially important common or apple guava, ''Psidium guajava'', which is grown for its sweet, juicy fruit. The cattley guava, ''Psidium littorale'' (syn. ''P. cattleianum'') is another well-known species, with two notable varieties: the red-fruited strawberry guava, and the yellow-fruited lemon guava.  
  
 
There are about 100 [[species]] of guava, with the plants native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]], but now cultivated in the parts of the [[United States]] and other tropical areas. The name is drawn from the [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]] '''''guayaba'''''.  
 
There are about 100 [[species]] of guava, with the plants native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]], but now cultivated in the parts of the [[United States]] and other tropical areas. The name is drawn from the [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]] '''''guayaba'''''.  
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{{toc}}
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The guava fruit, which is so important for the [[reproduction]] of the plants, also serves as a [[nutrition|nutritious]] and flavorful [[food]] for people as well as for various [[bird]]s and [[mammal]]s (who also act as dispersal agents for the [[seed]]s). In folk medicine, guava leaves have been used for treating ailments ranging from cancer to inflammation and [[diabetes]]. The plant itself is used for ornamental purposes.
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
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====Family Myrtaceae and subfamily Myrtoideae====
 
Guava is in the '''Myrtaceae''' or myrtle family, a [[taxon]] of [[dicotyledon]] [[plant]]s  that includes such well-known representatives as [[myrtle]], [[clove]]s, [[feijoa]], [[allspice]], and [[eucalyptus]]. All species of the family are woody, with [[essential oil]]s, and have [[flower]] parts in multiples of four or five. The flowers have a base number of five [[petal]]s, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. The [[stamen]]s are usually very conspicuous, brightly colored and numerous. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually with an entire (not toothed) margin. One notable character of the family is that the [[phloem]] is located on both sides of the [[xylem]], not just outside as in most other plants.
 
Guava is in the '''Myrtaceae''' or myrtle family, a [[taxon]] of [[dicotyledon]] [[plant]]s  that includes such well-known representatives as [[myrtle]], [[clove]]s, [[feijoa]], [[allspice]], and [[eucalyptus]]. All species of the family are woody, with [[essential oil]]s, and have [[flower]] parts in multiples of four or five. The flowers have a base number of five [[petal]]s, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. The [[stamen]]s are usually very conspicuous, brightly colored and numerous. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually with an entire (not toothed) margin. One notable character of the family is that the [[phloem]] is located on both sides of the [[xylem]], not just outside as in most other plants.
  
 
Within the myrtle family, guavas are placed in the subfamily '''Myrtoideae'''. This subfamily is characterized by fleshy [[fruit]]s and opposite, entire leaves. Most genera in this subfamily have one of three easily recognized types of [[embryo]]s. The genera of Myrtoideae can be very difficult to distinguish in the absence of mature fruits.  
 
Within the myrtle family, guavas are placed in the subfamily '''Myrtoideae'''. This subfamily is characterized by fleshy [[fruit]]s and opposite, entire leaves. Most genera in this subfamily have one of three easily recognized types of [[embryo]]s. The genera of Myrtoideae can be very difficult to distinguish in the absence of mature fruits.  
  
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====Guava====
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[[Image:Psidium guajava fruit.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Green guavas ''(Psidium guajava)'']]
 
Members of the [[genus]] '''Psidium''', the guavas, are typical [[Myrtoideae]], with tough dark [[leaf|leaves]] that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and 5-15 centimeters long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. Members of the genera ''[[Accara]]'' and ''[[Feijoa]]'' (= ''Acca'', pineapple guava) were formerly included in this genus as well.
 
Members of the [[genus]] '''Psidium''', the guavas, are typical [[Myrtoideae]], with tough dark [[leaf|leaves]] that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and 5-15 centimeters long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. Members of the genera ''[[Accara]]'' and ''[[Feijoa]]'' (= ''Acca'', pineapple guava) were formerly included in this genus as well.
  
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The guava fruit is a true [[berry]]. In [[botany]], a berry is a fleshy or pulpy indehiscent [[fruit]] in which the entire [[ovary (plants)|ovary]] wall ripens into a relatively soft [[pericarp]], the seeds are embedded in the common flesh of the ovary, and typically there is more than one seed. Other examples of botanical berries include the [[tomato]], [[grape]], [[avocado]], and [[persimmon]].
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The guava fruit is a true [[berry]]. In [[botany]], a berry is a fleshy or pulpy indehiscent [[fruit]] in which the entire [[ovary (plants)|ovary]] wall ripens into a relatively soft [[pericarp]], the seeds are embedded in the common flesh of the ovary, and typically there is more than one [[seed]]. Other examples of botanical berries include the [[tomato]], [[grape]], [[avocado]], and [[persimmon]].  
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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. Cattley guava or Peruvian guava (''Psidium littorale''; the old name ''P. cattleianum'' is still used very often) is a small tree (2-6 meters tall), bearing small red or yellow fruit, which are somewhat sour but sometimes eaten or made into jam. The red-fruited strawberry guava is ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum''. The yellow-fruited ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''littorale'' is known as lemon Guava, and in [[Hawaiʻi]] as waiawī. It is native to [[Brazil]] and adjacent regions of tropical [[South America]].
 
  
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Mature trees of most guava 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.
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The guava [[fruit]] is edible, round to [[pear]]-shaped, from 3 to 10 centimeters (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. The aroma generally is reminiscent of refreshing fruit like [[apple]]s, [[passionfruit]] or [[strawberries]], with an inoffensive acidity and a fragrance reminiscent of [[rose]] petals.  
  
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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 species, [[Jamaican guava]] (''P. dumetorum''), is considered to have recently gone [[extinct]].
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[[Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Ripe guavas]]
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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. Cattley guava or Peruvian guava (''Psidium littorale''; the old name ''P. cattleianum'' is still used very often) is a small tree (2-6 meters tall), bearing small red or yellow fruit, which are somewhat sour but sometimes eaten or made into jam. The red-fruited strawberry guava is ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''cattleianum''. The yellow-fruited ''Psidium littorale'' var. ''littorale'' is known as lemon Guava, and in [[Hawaiʻi]] as waiawī. It is native to [[Brazil]] and adjacent regions of tropical [[South America]].
  
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==Culinary uses==
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Mature trees of most guava species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive as low as 5[[Celsius|°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.
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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.  
 
  
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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>
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[[Image:Jambu Batu.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Indonesian guavas]]
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The fruit is 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. ''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.
  
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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.
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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 species, [[Jamaican guava]] ''(P. dumetorum)'', is considered to have recently gone [[extinct]].
  
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Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaii and may be used to [[barbecue]].  
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==Uses==
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Guava is used for culinary and ornamental purposes. With a history in folk medicine, it also is the subject of research for medicinal purposes.  
  
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''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.
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===Culinary uses===
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[[Image:ARS_HPSI41.jpg|thumb|right|240px|'Thai Maroon' guavas]]
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Guavas may be eaten raw or used in jams, jellies, juices, preserves, and sauces (Herbst 2001).  
  
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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.
+
The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the middle that 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. The peel usually is discarded but can be eaten as an enriched source of [[essential nutrient]]s and [[polyphenol]]s (Jiménez-Escrig et al. 2001).
  
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==Nutrients and dietary antioxidant value==
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The fruit is also often prepared as a dessert. In [[Asia]], fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved [[plum|prune]] powder or [[salt]], and 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 [[tomato]]es, especially for those sensitive to the latter's [[acid]]ity.
  
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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>
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Guava wood is used for meat smoking in Hawaii and may be used to [[barbecue]].  
  
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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>
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Guavas are often considered [[superfruit]]s, being rich in vitamins [[vitamin A|A]] and [[vitamin C|C]], omega-3 and omega-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 (ND 2008a). Common guava has generally a more diverse and dense nutrient content, including extraordinary richness of vitamin C (228 mg per 100 g) (ND 2008b).
  
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==Medical research==
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Guavas contain both major classes of [[antioxidant]] [[pigment]]s&mdash;[[carotenoid]]s and [[polyphenol]]s&mdash;giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods (Mahattanatawee et al. 2006; Hassimotto et al. 2005; Jiménez-Escrig et al. 2001).
  
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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.
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===Medicinal use===
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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>
 
  
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==Folk medicine applications==
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Since the 1950s, guava, particularly its leaves, has been the subject of diverse research initiatives to map the chemical identity of its constituents, [[pharmacology|pharmacological]] properties, and history in [[folk medicine]] (Gutiérrez et al. 2008). From preliminary medical research in laboratory settings, [[extract]]s from guava leaves or [[bark]] are implicated in possible therapeutic mechanisms against [[cancer]], [[bacteria]]l infections, [[inflammation]], and [[pain]] (Chen et al. 2007: Mahfuzul et al. 2007; Ojewole 2006). [[Essential oil]]s from guava leaves have shown strong anti-cancer activity [[in vitro]] (Manosroi et al. 2006).
  
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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>
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Guava leaves are used as a remedy for [[diarrhea]] (Kaljee et al. 2004), 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]] (Mukhtar et al. 2006; Oh et al. 2005).
  
 
==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'']]
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[[Image:Apple Guava.jpg|right|thumb|Apple guavas]]
 
* ''Psidium amplexicaule''
 
* ''Psidium amplexicaule''
 
* ''Psidium araao'' <small>Raddi</small>
 
* ''Psidium araao'' <small>Raddi</small>
Line 96: Line 103:
 
* ''Psidium spathulatum'' <small>Mattos</small>
 
* ''Psidium spathulatum'' <small>Mattos</small>
  
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<gallery>
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==References==
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Image:ARS_HPSI41.jpg|'Thai Maroon' guavas
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* Chen, K. C., C. L. Hsieh, C. C. Peng, H. M. Hsieh-Li, H. S. Chiang, K. D. Huang, and R. Y. Peng. 2007. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17571972 Brain derived metastatic prostate cancer DU-145 cells are effectively inhibited in vitro by guava (''Psidium gujava'' L.) leaf extracts]. ''Nutr Cancer'' 58(1):93-106. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
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Image:Psidium guajava fruit.jpg|Green guavas
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Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|Ripe guavas
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* Gutiérrez, R. M., S. Mitchell, and R. V. Solis. 2008. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18353572 ''Psidium guajava'': A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology]. ''J Ethnopharmacol.'' 117(1):1-27. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
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Image:Jambu Batu.jpg|Indonesian guavas
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Image:Apple Guava.jpg|Apple guavas
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* Hassimotto, N. M., M. I. Genovese, and F. M. Lajolo. 2005. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15826041 Antioxidant activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps]. ''J Agric Food Chem.'' 53(8):2928-35. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
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</gallery>
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 +
* Herbst, S. T. 2001. ''The New Food Lover's Companion: Comprehensive Definitions of Nearly 6,000 Food, Drink, and Culinary Terms. Barron's Cooking Guide.'' Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 0764112589.
 +
 
 +
* Jiménez-Escrig, A., M. Rincón, R. Pulido, and F. Saura-Calixto. 2001. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11714349 Guava fruit (''Psidium guajava'' L.) as a new source of antioxidant dietary fiber]. ''J Agric Food Chem.'' 49(11):5489-93. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
 +
 
 +
* Kaljee, L. M., V. D. Thiem, L. von Seidlein, B. L. Genberg, D. G. Canh, L. H. Tho, T. T. Minh, L. T. K. Thoa, J. D. Clemens, and D. D. Trach. 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. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
 +
 
 +
* Mahattanatawee, K., J. A. Manthey, G. Luzio, S. T. Talcott, K. Goodner, and E. A. Baldwin. 2006. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968105 Total antioxidant activity and fiber content of select Florida-grown tropical fruits]. ''J Agric Food Chem.'' 54(19):7355-63. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
 +
 
 +
* Mahfuzul, H., M. L. Bari, Y. Inatsu, V. K. Juneja, and S. Kawamoto. 2007. Antibacterial activity of guava (''Psidium guajava'' L.) and Neem (''Azadirachta indica'' A. Juss.) extracts against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. ''Foodborne Pathog Dis.'' 4(4):481-8. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
 +
 
 +
* Manosroi, J., P. Dhumtanom, and A. Manosroi. 2006. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15979235 Anti-proliferative activity of essential oil extracted from Thai medicinal plants on KB and P388 cell lines]. ''Cancer Lett.'' 235(1):114-20. Retrieved April 22, 2008
 +
 
 +
* Mukhtar, H. M., S. H. Ansari, Z. A. Bhat, T. Naved, and P. Singh. 2006. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16964719 Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of ''Psidium guajava'' (Myrtaceae)]. ''Pharmazie.'' 61(8):725-7. Retrieved April 22, 2008
 +
 
 +
* Nutrition Data (ND). 2008a. [http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20V6.html Guavas, strawberry, raw]. ''Nutritiondata.com''. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  
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* Nutrition Data (ND). 2008b. [http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20V5.html Guavas, common, raw]. ''Nutritiondata.com''. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  
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==Footnotes==
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* Oh, W. K., C. H. Lee, M. S. Lee, E. Y. Bae, C. B. Sohn, H. Oh, B. Y. Kim, and J. S. Ahn.2005. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619559 Antidiabetic effects of extracts from ''Psidium guajava'']. ''J Ethnopharmacol.'' 96(3):411-5. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
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{{Reflist}}
 
  
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==References==
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* Ojewole, J.A. 2006. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17003849 Antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of ''Psidium guajava'' Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats and mice]. ''Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol.'' 28(7):441-6. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
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* {{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==
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{{commonscat|Psidium}}
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All links retrieved July 18, 2017.
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* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava]
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* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava].
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* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts]
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* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts].  
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* [http://www.twowests.co.uk/weblog/archives/2006/10/guava_fruit.html Health Benefits of Guava Fruit]
 
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* [http://www.hawaiiguava.com Invasive Species Remedy]
 
  
  
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Latest revision as of 15:04, 18 July 2017

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 is the common name for any of the various tropical shrubs and small trees comprising the New World genus Psidium of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), characterized by tough, dark, opposite leaves and an edible fruit. The term guava also is used for the fruit, which is a true berry.

The name guava particularly is associated with the commercially important common or apple guava, Psidium guajava, which is grown for its sweet, juicy fruit. The cattley guava, Psidium littorale (syn. P. cattleianum) is another well-known species, with two notable varieties: the red-fruited strawberry guava, and the yellow-fruited lemon guava.

There are about 100 species of guava, with the plants native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, but now cultivated in the parts of the United States and other tropical areas. The name is drawn from the Arawak via Spanish guayaba.

The guava fruit, which is so important for the reproduction of the plants, also serves as a nutritious and flavorful food for people as well as for various birds and mammals (who also act as dispersal agents for the seeds). In folk medicine, guava leaves have been used for treating ailments ranging from cancer to inflammation and diabetes. The plant itself is used for ornamental purposes.

Description

Family Myrtaceae and subfamily Myrtoideae

Guava is in the Myrtaceae or myrtle family, a taxon of dicotyledon plants that includes such well-known representatives as myrtle, cloves, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus. All species of the family are woody, with essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly colored and numerous. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually with an entire (not toothed) margin. One notable character of the family is that the phloem is located on both sides of the xylem, not just outside as in most other plants.

Within the myrtle family, guavas are placed in the subfamily Myrtoideae. This subfamily is characterized by fleshy fruits and opposite, entire leaves. Most genera in this subfamily have one of three easily recognized types of embryos. The genera of Myrtoideae can be very difficult to distinguish in the absence of mature fruits.

Guava

Green guavas (Psidium guajava)

Members of the genus Psidium, the guavas, are typical Myrtoideae, with tough dark leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and 5-15 centimeters long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. Members of the genera Accara and Feijoa (= Acca, pineapple guava) were formerly included in this genus as well.

The guava fruit is a true berry. In botany, a berry is a fleshy or pulpy indehiscent fruit in which the entire ovary wall ripens into a relatively soft pericarp, the seeds are embedded in the common flesh of the ovary, and typically there is more than one seed. Other examples of botanical berries include the tomato, grape, avocado, and persimmon.

The guava fruit is edible, round to pear-shaped, from 3 to 10 centimeters (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. The aroma generally is reminiscent of refreshing fruit like apples, passionfruit or strawberries, with an inoffensive acidity and a fragrance reminiscent of rose petals.

Ripe guavas

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. Cattley guava or Peruvian guava (Psidium littorale; the old name P. cattleianum is still used very often) is a small tree (2-6 meters tall), bearing small red or yellow fruit, which are somewhat sour but sometimes eaten or made into jam. The red-fruited strawberry guava is Psidium littorale var. cattleianum. The yellow-fruited Psidium littorale var. littorale is known as lemon Guava, and in Hawaiʻi as waiawī. It is native to Brazil and adjacent regions of tropical South America.

Mature trees of most guava 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.

Indonesian guavas

The fruit is 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. 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.

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 species, Jamaican guava (P. dumetorum), is considered to have recently gone extinct.

Uses

Guava is used for culinary and ornamental purposes. With a history in folk medicine, it also is the subject of research for medicinal purposes.

Culinary uses

'Thai Maroon' guavas

Guavas may be eaten raw or used in jams, jellies, juices, preserves, and sauces (Herbst 2001).

The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the middle that 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. The peel usually is discarded but can be eaten as an enriched source of essential nutrients and polyphenols (Jiménez-Escrig et al. 2001).

The fruit is also often prepared as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved prune powder or salt, and 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.

Guavas are often considered superfruits, being rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3 and omega-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 (ND 2008a). Common guava has generally a more diverse and dense nutrient content, including extraordinary richness of vitamin C (228 mg per 100 g) (ND 2008b).

Guavas contain both major classes of antioxidant pigments—carotenoids and polyphenols—giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods (Mahattanatawee et al. 2006; Hassimotto et al. 2005; Jiménez-Escrig et al. 2001).

Medicinal use

Since the 1950s, guava, particularly its leaves, has been the subject of diverse research initiatives to map the chemical identity of its constituents, pharmacological properties, and history in folk medicine (Gutiérrez et al. 2008). From preliminary medical research in laboratory settings, extracts from guava leaves or bark are implicated in possible therapeutic mechanisms against cancer, bacterial infections, inflammation, and pain (Chen et al. 2007: Mahfuzul et al. 2007; Ojewole 2006). Essential oils from guava leaves have shown strong anti-cancer activity in vitro (Manosroi et al. 2006).

Guava leaves are used as a remedy for diarrhea (Kaljee et al. 2004), 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 (Mukhtar et al. 2006; Oh et al. 2005).

Selected species

Strawberry Guava, Psidium littorale var. cattleianum
Apple guavas
  • 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

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Herbst, S. T. 2001. The New Food Lover's Companion: Comprehensive Definitions of Nearly 6,000 Food, Drink, and Culinary Terms. Barron's Cooking Guide. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 0764112589.
  • Kaljee, L. M., V. D. Thiem, L. von Seidlein, B. L. Genberg, D. G. Canh, L. H. Tho, T. T. Minh, L. T. K. Thoa, J. D. Clemens, and D. D. Trach. 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. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  • Mahfuzul, H., M. L. Bari, Y. Inatsu, V. K. Juneja, and S. Kawamoto. 2007. Antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) extracts against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 4(4):481-8. Retrieved April 22, 2008.

External links

All links retrieved July 18, 2017.

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