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Exploring Phytochemicals of Ficus carica L. (Fig)

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Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

Abstract

Fig, common fig or edible fig, is the fruit of Ficus carica L. (family: Moraceae) and is one of the most valuable crops in the world. The fruit is edible part which is consumed as fresh or in dried forms as well as processed into jams, Fig Newtons, and fig rolls. Ficus carica fruit has incredible medicinal properties and is used for the treatment of different ailments in traditional medicines. Fruits are a rich source of macronutrients and essential micronutrients (i.e., minerals and vitamins) and phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. The different phytochemicals in fruits exhibit various bioactivities such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, antiplatelet, and other health issues. This chapter gives a brief introduction to fig, including nutritional composition, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivities of fig fruits and clinical trials on dietary supplements of fig extracts.

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Acknowledgments

VAB thanks National Academy of Sciences, India, Allahabad, India for honorary scientist fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

    Umesh B. Jagtap

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

    Vishwas A. Bapat

Authors
  1. Umesh B. Jagtap
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  2. Vishwas A. Bapat
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Umesh B. Jagtap .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

    Vishwas Anant Bapat

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

  2. Research Center for the Development of Advanced Horticultural Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

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Jagtap, U.B., Bapat, V.A. (2019). Exploring Phytochemicals of Ficus carica L. (Fig). In: Murthy, H., Bapat, V. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_19-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_19-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-06120-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-06120-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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