Abstract
The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly due to their nutritional properties and their application in the treatment of human diseases. Mexico is the center of origin for most of them. However, at present much of the basic agronomic information, postharvest handling of the fruits, and their potential as new crops for areas with poor soils in organic matter or semi-dry climates is unknown. It is considered that these custard apple species may be an option to change towards instead of crops that have lost profitability and sustainability. A review of the current state of knowledge in different areas of the species A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata, A. squamosa, and A. cherimola was carried out and to focus research efforts on the topics of greatest interest and on those where is required to achieve a sustainable production and use of these resources in Mexico. However, knowledge about the cultivation and potential uses of these species is needed to increase their commercialization; the integration of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional groups is required.
Highlights
The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms
In Mexico, there are no reports of its cultivation. It is found in its natural state in the Pacific region, from southern Sinaloa to Chiapas; it is not cultivated commercially, and its consumption is local in the production season
A. cherimola and A. squamosa fruits are sweeter than A. muricata, A. reticulata, and A. macroprophyllata
Summary
The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. In the analysis of fossils of leaves, seeds, fruits, and pollen, it is estimated that it had its origin in the late Cretaceous period [1]. Of the five fruit species of Annona, A. muricata currently presents greater agronomic development and established surface It is cultivated mainly in Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil in areas with a warm climate from sea level to an altitude of 800 m. Plants 2022, 11, 7 and applications in the fields of medicine (various pathologies), nutraceuticals (antioxidants, minerals, and fiber), metabolomics (acetogenins and other insecticidal, fungicidal, and bactericidal compounds), and agriculture (alternative crops, molecular characterization, germplasm collection, characterization, plant breeding, and obtaining new varieties), among others [23] Due to their genetic characteristics and biotechnological potential, interdisciplinary research groups have been formed in countries such as Spain, France, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico [24], and recently India and Bangladesh, as highlighted by numerous publications. In topics such as phytochemistry, nutraceutical uses, and applications in different pharmacological areas, important research contributions have been constructed in several countries
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