Severity: Warning
Message: Undefined array key "articleIDUniqueCode"
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 189
Severity: 8192
Message: substr(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 189
Severity: Warning
Message: Undefined array key "articleIDUniqueCode"
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 190
Severity: 8192
Message: substr(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 190
Severity: Warning
Message: Undefined array key "articleIDUniqueCode"
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 213
Severity: 8192
Message: substr(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 213
Severity: Warning
Message: Undefined array key "articleIDUniqueCode"
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 214
Severity: 8192
Message: substr(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 214
We use cookies to ensure our website works properly and to personalise your experience. Cookies policy
Severity: Warning
Message: Undefined array key "articleIDUniqueCode"
Filename: frontend/article.php
Line Number: 424
1Research Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Pune, Maharashtra, India-412216.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Delight College of Pharmacy, Koregaon Bhima, Pune, Maharashtra, India-412216.
3Assistant Professor, Department of Quality Assurance Techniques, Delight College of Pharmacy, Koregaon Bhima, Pune, Maharashtra, India-412216
The seeds of Annona squamosa, commonly known as custard apple, have garnered attention in recent years due to their potential nutritional, medicinal, and phytochemical properties. Despite the fruit's widespread consumption, the seeds, which are often discarded, contain a variety of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and essential fatty acids. Research has suggested that custard apple seeds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, making them a promising candidate for various therapeutic applications. Additionally, their rich nutritional content, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, positions them as a potential alternative food source in regions suffering from food insecurity. However, the seeds also contain certain toxic compounds, such as annonacin, which pose health risks if consumed in excess. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition, health benefits, toxicological risks, and potential uses of custard apple seeds, offering insight into the need for further research to harness their full potential while mitigating associated risks. The review concludes with a discussion on future research directions and the importance of developing safe and sustainable methods for utilizing custard apple seeds in food and medicine.
Custard apple (Annona squamosa) is a tropical fruit native to the Americas, but it is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The fruit is known for its sweet, creamy pulp, which is highly nutritious, containing vitamins (such as vitamin C), minerals, and carbohydrates1. While the pulp is enjoyed worldwide, the seeds of the custard apple, which constitute approximately 10–20% of the fruit's total weight, are generally discarded, despite their potential value. Recent studies have highlighted the rich chemical composition of custard apple seeds, which contain bioactive compounds with promising pharmacological properties. These seeds are rich in alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, essential fatty acids, and other phytochemicals that have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities in vitro2. Historically, parts of the custard apple plant, including the seeds, have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, parasitic infections, and inflammation3. Recent scientific evidence supports many of these traditional uses, though there are concerns regarding the potential toxicity of certain compounds, particularly annonacin, a neurotoxin found in the seeds. Therefore, understanding both the therapeutic potential and the safety profile of custard apple seeds is critical for their effective utilization in food and medicine4.
Sahil Gawade*, Anil Panchal, Vishal Madankar, Formulation and Evaluation of Custard Apple Seed Oil, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2025, 2 (5), 393-400. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15426327
10.5281/zenodo.15426327