Pineapple
This article was posted by Joseph on April 12th, 2010 and has been 1,160 views.
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is the common name for an edible tropical plant and also its fruit (although technically multiple fruit merged together, and perceived as one). It is native to Paraguay and the southern part of Brazil. Pineapple is eaten fresh or canned and is available as a juice or in juice combinations. It is used in desserts, salads, as a complement to meat dishes and in fruit cocktail. While sweet, it is known for its high acid content (perhaps malic and/or citric). Pineapples are the only bromeliad fruit in widespread cultivation. It is one of the most commercially important plants which carry out CAM photosynthesis.
Raw pineapple & Nutrition
Pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which breaks down protein. Pineapple juice can thus be used as a marinade and tenderizer for meat. The enzymes in raw pineapples can interfere with the preparation of some foods, such as jelly or other gelatin-based desserts. The bromelain breaks down in cooking or the canning process, thus canned pineapple can generally be used with gelatin. These enzymes can be hazardous to someone suffering from certain protein deficiencies or disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Raw pineapples also should not be consumed by those with hemophilia or by those with kidney or liver disease, as it may reduce the time taken to coagulate a consumer’s blood.
The root and fruit are either eaten or applied topically as an anti-inflammatory and as a proteolytic agent. It is traditionally used as an antihelminthic agent in the Philippines.
Chemical Composition of Pineapple
|
Ripe & Raw Pineapple |
Per 100g |
Vitamins |
Per 100g |
|
Water Energy Energy Protein Total dietary fiber Lipid Fat Ash Calcium Phosphorus Iron Sodium Potassium Magnesium Copper Manganese Selenium Glucose (Dextrose) Fructose Total sugars |
86 g 49 kcal 205 kj 0.50 g 1.2 g 0.20 g 0.29 g 7 mg 7 mg 0.37 mg 1 mg 113 mg 14 mg 0.11 mg 1.65 mg 0.6 mcg 1.7 g 1.9 g 8 g |
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-6 Vitamin A, IU Vitamin A, RE/p> Vitamin E Vitamin K Folate (total) Folate, food Folate, DFE Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Pantothenic acid Tocopherol, alpha
Beta Carotene Alpha Carotene Cryptoxanthin, beta |
15 mg 0 mcg 0.09 mg 50 IU 3 mcg_RE 1.0 mg_ATE 0.7 mcg 11 mcg 11 mcg 11 mcg_DFE 0.09 ug 0.036 mg 0.42 mg 0.16 mg 0.10 mg
31 mcg 0 mcg 0 mcg |
Storage and transport
Fresh pineapple is often somewhat expensive as the tropical fruit is delicate and difficult to ship. Pineapples can ripen after harvest, but require certain temperatures for this process to occur. Like bananas, they are chill-sensitive and should not be stored in the refrigerator. They will, however, ripen if left outside of a refrigerator. The ripening of pineapples can be rather difficult as they will not ripen for some time and in a day or two become over-ripe, therefore, pineapples are most widely available canned.
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