Bioactive Compound Profiles in Dragon Fruit Species
Summary
Dragon fruit, comprising several species within the Hylocereus genus, has attracted global attention for its diverse array of bioactive compounds distributed across peel, flesh and seeds. Key constituents include betalains (betacyanins and betaxanthins), polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins and essential fatty acids. The relative abundance of these phytochemicals varies with species (notably H. polyrhizus with red flesh and H. undatus with white flesh), cultivar, stage of fruit maturation and agro-ecological conditions. Analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectrophotometric assays have revealed strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Extraction techniques—from conventional solvent systems to ultrasonic-assisted and supercritical fluid approaches—further influence yield and composition. The interplay between molecular diversity and bioactivity underpins interest in dragon fruit as a functional food ingredient, natural colourant and nutraceutical source, with implications for food technology, human health and sustainable horticultural development.
Research from Nature Portfolio
A comprehensive study of three Hylocereus species adapted to tropical islands combined morphological, biochemical and molecular analyses to distinguish genotypes with high nutraceutical potential. Quantitative profiling demonstrated that peels contain notably higher levels of phenolics and flavonoids than pulp, correlating with superior radical-scavenging activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays. Detailed quantification of carotenoids and xanthophylls revealed cultivar-specific patterns, while inter-simple sequence repeat markers delineated genetic diversity and facilitated the identification of traits linked to bioactive compound accumulation. This integrated approach offers a model for selecting elite lines for breeding and for valorising by-products in food and pharmaceutical applications.
Bioactive Compound Profiles in Dragon Fruit Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compound profiles in dragon fruit species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polyphenols: Plant secondary metabolites with multiple phenolic rings, known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Flavonoids: Subclass of polyphenols characterised by a C6–C3–C6 structure, contributing to free-radical scavenging and metabolic regulation.
Betalains: Water-soluble nitrogenous pigments (betacyanins and betaxanthins) responsible for red and yellow hues, with potent antioxidant capacity.
Carotenoids: Lipid-soluble pigments such as β-carotene and xanthophylls that protect against oxidative stress and support visual health.
Antioxidant capacity: The ability of compounds or extracts to neutralise reactive oxygen species, often measured by assays such as DPPH and ABTS.
Bioavailability: Proportion of an ingested compound that is absorbed and becomes available at the site of physiological activity.
References
- Therapeutic potential of various functional components presents within dragon fruit: A review. Hybrid Advances (2024).
- Chemical composition and in vitroevaluation of the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of pitaya (dragon fruit) peel. BMC Chemistry (2014).
- Influence of Conventional and Ultrasonic‐Assisted Extraction on Phenolic Contents, Betacyanin Contents, and Antioxidant Capacity of Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). The Scientific World JOURNAL (2014).
- Metabolic Profiling of Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) during Fruit Development and Maturation. Molecules (2019).
- Nutritional Analysis of Red-Purple and White-Fleshed Pitaya (Hylocereus) Species. Molecules (2022).
- Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Other Health Effects of Dragon Fruit and Potential Delivery Systems for Its Bioactive Compounds. Pharmaceutics (2023).
- Distinguishing three Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) species grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India using morphological, biochemical and molecular traits. Scientific Reports (2021).
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