Products
Acerola is commercially available as powder, tablets, lozenges, juice and capsules from various suppliers, among others.
Stem plant
The parent plant is the evergreen shrub (or small tree) (, ) of the Malpighiaceae family, native to South America and now cultivated worldwide.
Medicinal drug
The cherry-like and sour-tasting fruits are used as a medicinal drug.
Ingredients
The fruits are characterized by a high content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is up to 4500 mg per 100 g. Other components include carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidant ingredients such as flavonoids and carotenoids.
Effects
Preparations from the fruit have antioxidant, preservative, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others.
Fields of application
Selection:
- As a natural source of vitamin C, for example, against colds.
- For the prevention and treatment of vitamin C deficiency.
- Instead of synthetic ascorbic acid as a natural additive for the production of bread and pastries (acerola powder).
- To enrich foods and beverages with vitamin C.
- For the manufacture of cosmetics.
