title: Fruits of the actinidia genus.
abstract: Kiwifruit is the most well-known crop in the genus Actinidia. Although Actinidia fruit sales in the international market are dominated by a single kiwifruit cultivar Actinidia deliciosa "Hayward," there are a considerable number of cultivars and selections in the genus that have widely diverse shape, size, and hairiness. They also offer a wide variation in sensory attributes such as flesh color, flavor, and taste, and in nutritional attributes such as the vitamin C level and carotenoid content. The level of actinidin, which is a cysteine protease in kiwifruit, also varies greatly among cultivars. This chapter reviews available information related to several important components, allergenic properties, and health benefits of Actinidia fruits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Komazawa Women's Junior College, Inagi, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nishiyama
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis; D058870:Food, Organic; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C018745:actinidain; D001205:Ascorbic Acid