NUTRITIONAL AND PHARMCEUTICAL BENIFITS OF AVOCADO PLANT

Abstract

Persea Americana Mill. or Avocado is a tropical native American fruit. It belongs to the Lauraceae family. The name ‘Avocado’ has been derived from the Aztec word ‘ahucatl’. ‘Alligator pear’ and ‘butter fruit’ are its’ alternative names. It has been traditionally cultivated for food and medicinal purposes due to its high nutrition content as well as for its therapeutic properties. The predominant carotenoid in Avocado is Lutein. α-carotene, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, neoxanthin and violaxanthin are the other carotenoids present in small quantities in it. Avocado plant and their seed, fruit, pulp, avocado oil part use for various type of activity as cosmetic, refined cooking oil, weight management program, heart disease, stroke and cancer.