Pitaya (Stenocereus spp.): an under-utilized fruit

Abstract

Pitaya (Stenocereus spp.) is an exotic fruit, which has been consumed since ancient timesby pre-Hispanic cultures. Recently in Mexico, this cactus has been the target of commercialattention due to the pleasant taste of their succulent fruits with juicy and sweet pulp, and agreat variety of colors (white, yellow, purple and red fruits). This fruit has excellent sensory,nutritional, nutraceutical, agroindustrial and medicinal attributes; however, it has beenunder-utilized. The high content of betalains in this fruit allows us to consider these varietiesas a source of natural pigments to be used in the food industry. The aim of this study is toshow “the state of the art” of the properties of Stenocereus, to promote its study,dissemination, production, consumption and agroindustrial use. The present study shows adescription of its botany, distribution, cultivation, physiology, pre and postharvest aspects,nutritional and nutraceutical composition, as well as agroindustrial and medicinal uses. Theproduction of this fruit represents an opportunity for the economic development of somearid and semi-arid zones of Mexico due to the agronomic, nutraceutical and agroindustrialadvantages. Therefore, more studies are required, mainly on physiological, nutraceutical,medicinal and agroindustrial aspects, more specifically on the non-studied species ofStenocereus, and future researches should deal with development of agro-technologies toguarantee high yields and good quality products to enable growers to make a living from it.