Plant genus Elaeagnus: underutilized lycopene and linoleic acid reserve with permaculture potential

Introduction. Elaeagnus is a genus in family Elaeagnaceae found wild or grown as ornamental plants for its dense shrub-like structure, fragrant blossoms and silvery foliage. However, in recent times a convincing number of findings supporting the nutritional potential of its fruit has been published. Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted using the keywords 'e/aeagnus' 'silverberry', 'oleaster', 'antioxidant' and 'permaculture' to compile a meaningful review for fueling research interest on this genus. The nutritional and pharmacological relevance of genus Elaeagnus was explored and human health-related nutrients identified. Results and discussion. The tiny oblong fruit of genus Elaeagnus with red flesh and pericarp speckled with gold and silvery spots have been found to be edible. In fact, it has shown promise to be developed as a functional food owing to its richness in antioxidants phenolics acids (benzoic acid, cinnamic acid) and flavonoids (myricetin, epigallocatechin gallate). An abundance of antoxidant lycopene in its fruit has been revealed. The perceived health benefits of the fruit are blood alcohol removal, pain alleviation, wound healing, cancer prevention, antimicrobial and expectorant etc. Conclusion. Despite immense food and medicinal potential, the fruit of this genus are languishing in obscurity, and yet to reach mainstream market.