The story of Rambutan

 

The story of Rambutan



Rambutan is a wonderful fruit that can be only found from June to August in Sri Lanka. Other than Sri Lanka rambutan fruit can be found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. Some countries are exporting Rambutan to other countries also. The scientific name of the Rambutan is Nepthelium Lappaceum. The Rambutan tree is a medium-sized tropical tree and is native to Southeast Asia. The term “Rambutan” has derived from a Malay word which is the meaning is “hair”.

Rambutan fruit is oval-shaped peel is reaorful with bright red or yellow colors. There are different colors of rambutan peel according to different varieties. The fruit is single-seeded and it is fleshy. It has a sweet, and acidic flavor which is an addicting flavor.

New varieties of rambutan trees are produced using grafting, air-layering, and budding techniques in according to get better cultivation.


Rambutan fruit



Anatomical characteristics of whole rambutan fruit, 27.4% of the weight

  • Peel 13.2%
  • Pulp 11.7%
  • Seed 2.53%
  • Embryo 1.60%


Chemical composition of rambutan fruit



Using gas chromatography-flactometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry it has found some odor-active volatile compounds in rambutan fruit. some of those volatile compounds are, 

  • phenylacetic acid,
  •  cinnamic acid,
  • ethyl 2-methyl butyrate,
  • δ-decalactone,
  • 3-phenyl propionic acid,
  • 2,6-nonadienal,
  • furaneol,
  • 2-phenyl ethanol,
  • m-cresol,
  • maltol,
  • heptanoic acid,

 

rambutan peel: 

The ethanolic extract of Rambutan Peel is reported to contain

  • ellagic acid,
  • corilagin, and
  • geraniin which are responsible for some biological activities.

The methanolic and ethanolic extract of rambutan peel contains geraniin constituting 56.8 and 37.9 mg g–1, respectively.


Biological activities and advantages

It says that rambutan fruit along with its by-products has antidiabetic, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. Several active compounds like flavonols, anthocyanins, and phenols are responsible for these activities.

. “Research that was conducted by Thitilertdecha et al.  Showed that the methanol extract of the Rambutan peel has antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecalis”

Rambutan fruit has vitamin c, manganese, copper, calcium magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamin A.

It can provide vital nutrient benefits. For example, potassium helps our heartbeat, kidney function, and muscle contract. And folate is an important vitamin that is important for DNA duplication and cell division.

As rambutan is rich in vitamin C, it can lower the risk of cancer as it is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants can reduce cellular damage and reduce the potential of cancer in many individuals.

It can also help the immune system, by consuming enough vitamin C to regulate long-term immune health.


Side effects of eating rambutan

But as rambutan is rich in natural sugars eating may cause a rise in blood sugar levels and may cause high blood pressure. Thus is sate to have 5-6 fruits per day.

And also the peel of rambutan contain antipyretic properties which can cause fever and related compliance. So when you peel off the rambutan it says not to use your mouth.

 

Read more…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambutan

https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=rjphyto.2017.66.73#:~:text=Physicochemical%20composition%20of%20rambutan,1%2C%20respectively18%2C19.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rambutan

https://www.knowyourfood.in/blog/11-health-benefits-and-side-effects-of-rambutan

 

 

 

 Written by: Rashmi Premathilake

 

 

 

 

 

 

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