Albumin in pitaya is a viscous colloidal substance, which has detoxification effect on heavy metal poisoning. It also has a protective effect on the stomach wall.
Pitaya contains vitamin E and a more special ingredient-anthocyanin. Grape skins, red beets and other fruits and vegetables all contain anthocyanins, but the content of anthocyanins in pitaya fruit is the highest. They all have antioxidant, anti-free radical and anti-aging effects, and can also improve the prevention of brain cell degeneration and inhibit dementia. At the same time, pitaya also contains vitamin C for whitening skin and rich water-soluble dietary fiber, which has the effects of losing weight, lowering blood sugar, moistening intestines and preventing colorectal cancer.
Pitaya, also known as red dragon fruit, is a fruit cultivation variety of the genus Pitaya in cactus family, which is native to tropical Central America such as Brazil and Mexico. The fruit of pitaya is oval with a diameter of 10~ 12cm. The skin color is purple, gorgeous and charming, and the flesh color is white, yellow and red. Pitaya is widely planted in Taiwan Province Province, China, with a history of 178 years. At present, it has sprung up in Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and other provinces, and there are also sporadic planting in Chaoshan area. Pitaya is one of the famous tropical and subtropical fruits, and the research on Pitaya has been paid more and more attention.
1. Nutritional value of pitaya
In August 2000, some nutritional qualities of pitaya were determined. The test material pitaya is a red-skinned and white-fleshed variety, which was purchased from Chaozhou fruit and vegetable market and cultivated locally. Determination method: The content of soluble solids (TSS) was determined by Abbe refractometer. Vitamin C(VitC) was titrated with 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol [1]; The content of protein was determined by Coomassie brilliant blue staining, and bovine serum protein was the blank control [2]. The moisture content is determined by a rapid moisture analyzer. The determination was carried out at room temperature in the laboratory, repeated three times and averaged. See table 1 for the determination results.
The results are consistent with those reported by Chen Zhendong and others. In addition, according to Chen Zhendong and others, every 100g of pitaya fruit also contains 0.2 1~0.6 1g of fat, 0.7~0.9 mg of fiber, 0.005 ~ 0.0/kloc-0.2 mg of carotene and 6.3 ~ 8.8mg of calcium.
2. The health function of pitaya
Because pitaya has the above components, it determines the dietotherapy and medicinal functions of pitaya. Literature [4] records that the flowers of pitaya have medicinal value and are sweet, light, cool and fragrant. Clearing heat, moistening lung and relieving cough. It can be used for treating cough, hemoptysis and cervical lymph node tuberculosis. Stem cures parotitis, hernia and carbuncle. Pitaya is a fruit cultivation variety with a measuring ruler, so its flowers and stems should have the same curative effect as the medical measuring ruler. As we know, dietary fiber is called the seventh nutrient element in human body, which has the functions of lowering plasma cholesterol, improving blood sugar production reaction, preventing constipation and colon cancer, controlling weight, reducing estrogen level, detoxification and so on [5]. As a fruit with low calorie and high fiber, the dietotherapy effect of pitaya is self-evident. Regular consumption of pitaya can lower blood pressure, reduce blood fat, moisten lung and detoxify, beautify and improve eyesight, and has an auxiliary treatment effect on constipation and diabetes. The pitaya with low calorie and high fiber is also the most ideal food for people who want to lose weight and beautify, which can prevent the spread of "urban rich disease".
3. Development potential of pitaya
3. Cultivation advantages of1pitaya
Pitaya is a tropical and subtropical fruit with simple cultivation techniques. Sexual preference is warm and humid, and yin tolerance is barren. The optimum growth temperature is 25~35℃, but it can be planted in the open air with the annual minimum temperature higher than 5℃. The requirements for soil are not strict, and it can be cultivated in flat land, paddy field, hillside and dry land. It grows well in fertile, well-drained neutral or slightly acidic sandy red soil or loam, with aerial roots, developed roots and vigorous vitality. Propagation methods mainly include cutting and grafting. When planting, the row spacing is generally 6~7m, the plant spacing is 3~4m, 3~4 plants per hole, and 24 ~ 38 holes per 666.7m2 ... In the management process, apply some organic fertilizer appropriately, pay attention to irrigation in hot and dry summer, pay attention to drainage in rainy days, prevent water accumulation and avoid bacterial and fungal infection. General pests and diseases rarely occur, even if a small amount occurs, some pesticides with high efficiency and low toxicity can be used for prevention and control [6]. The flowering and fruiting period of pitaya is May ~165438+1October every year, and the fruit can be harvested when it turns from green to purple.
3.2 Development of Pitaya
Today's high-fat, high-calorie and high-protein food structure leads to more and more patients with hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Pitaya, which has dual functions of beauty and health care, can be said to be the best choice for people. The flowers and fruits of pitaya can be eaten raw, and can also be processed into various nutritional and health foods, such as pitaya juice, sauce, preserved fruit, canned drinks, etc., with unique flavor. Both flowers and stems can be used as medicine. If the effective components of flowers and stems can be extracted and processed into capsules, pills and other drugs, it will be very effective in treating hypertension and diabetes. In addition, the stem of pitaya is an ideal rootstock for grafting precious cactus. Crab claw orchids and all kinds of weird cacti can be grafted on them to make garden plants for families to watch. The flowers and fruits of pitaya are also very bright, so it can also be directly used as bonsai and garden cultivation.
Pitaya has a short cultivation history in China. At present, only in Taiwan Province, Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and other provinces, the cultivation area is still very limited. The market price of Chaozhou this year is 6~ 10 yuan, which forms a huge gap between supply and demand. To sum up, the development prospect of pitaya is very broad.
Pitaya, also known as red dragon fruit. Native to tropical Central America. Pitaya is rich in nutrition and unique in function. It contains plant albumin and anthocyanins, and is rich in vitamins and water-soluble dietary fiber, which are rare in general plants. So pitaya determines that it has the following unique functions: 1 Detoxification and protection of stomach wall; 2. Anti-aging, prevent brain cells from degenerating, and inhibit the occurrence of dementia; 3. Whitening and skin care; 4. Lose weight, lower blood sugar, moisten intestines to relieve constipation, prevent large intestine, prevent colorectal cancer, etc. Pitaya juice is sweet and delicious. Besides fresh food, it can also be used for brewing wine, canning and making jam. Flowers can be dried and made into vegetables, and their colors can be extracted from food pigments.