Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.): a rich source of bioactive compounds and its potential health benefits

Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) is a tropical vine originating from South and South-East Asia. Gac fruit has traditionally been used in Asia to provide red colour for cuisines and enhance visional health. Recently, Gac fruit has emerged as a potential source of carotenoids, especially lycopene and -carotene. Carotenoids and other identified bioactives from this fruit including phenolics, flavonoids andtrypsin inhibitors are associated with many beneficial bioactivities such as antioxidant, anticancer and provitamin A activities. In addition to the traditional utilisation, commercial products like Gac powder and Gac oil have been manufactured as natural colourants and medicinal supplements. This paper is a review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition, biological activities and processing of Gac fruit.