Isoprenylated compounds of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus): A review of their aroma contribution, structure-activity relationships and safety evaluation.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is an edible source and distinguished by its rich flavor. Its by-products harbour characteristic compounds that offer potential in healthcare and food industry utilization. Focusing on the structure-activity relationships of the key flavonoids, isoprenylated flavonoids, isoprenylated chromones and isoprenylated coumarins, the bioactivities and safety assessment of A. heterophyllus published in the last decade were elucidated in this review. The isopentenyl side chain is considered to be one of the important structural features contributing to the promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of isoprenylated phenols from A. heterophyllus. Meanwhile, isoamyl alcohol and its derivatives served as precursors of isopentenyl groups, possessed a distinctive fruity aroma, and collectively contributed to the characteristic flavor of A. heterophyllus. This review provides a valuable reference for the high-value utilization of by-products from A. heterophyllus by focusing on their characteristic isoprenylated phenols, as well as for the development of functional foods.