Acerola Fruit Extract

<p><i ><b>Malpighia emarginata</b></i> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropics" title="Tropics" >tropical</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit" title="Fruit" >fruit</a>-bearing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub" title="Shrub" >shrub</a> or small <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree" title="Tree" >tree</a> in the family <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighiaceae" title="Malpighiaceae" >Malpighiaceae</a>. Common names include <b >acerola</b>,<b >Barbados cherry</b>, <b >West Indian cherry</b><sup id="cite_ref-Johnson_3-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Johnson-3" >[4]</a></sup> and <b >wild crepemyrtle</b>.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-4" >[5]</a></sup> Acerola is native to South America, Southern Mexico and Central America, but is now also being grown as far north as Texas and in subtropical areas of Asia, like India. It is known for being extremely rich in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C" title="Vitamin C" >vitamin C</a>, having the highest vitamin C content measured in any fruit, although it also contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3 as well as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotenoid" title="Carotenoid" >carotenoids</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioflavonoids" title="Bioflavonoids" class="mw-redirect" >bioflavonoids</a> which provide important nutritive value and have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant" title="Antioxidant" >antioxidant</a> uses.<sup id="cite_ref-Mezadri_5-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Mezadri-5" >[6]</a></sup> The vitamin C produced by the fruit is better absorbed by human organisms than synthetic ascorbic acid.<sup id="cite_ref-de_Assis_6-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-de_Assis-6" >[7]</a></sup>

Acerola is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen" title="Evergreen" >evergreen</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub" title="Shrub" >shrub</a> or small tree with spreading branches on a short <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trunk_(botany)" title="Trunk (botany)" >trunk</a>. It is usually 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) tall, but sometimes reaches 6 m (20 ft) in height.<sup id="cite_ref-Agroforest_9-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Agroforest-9" >[10]</a></sup>

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Close-up of the blossom and unripe fruit</div>

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<p >The fruit is edible and widely consumed in the species' native area, and is cultivated elsewhere for its high <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C" title="Vitamin C" >vitamin C</a> content. There are 1677.6 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of fruit.<sup id="cite_ref-Johnson_3-1" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Johnson-3" >[4]</a></sup></p>

<ul >

<li >Fruit can be used to make juices and pulps, both very rich in vitamin C and antioxidants;</li>

<li >Acerola fruit can be used to produce vitamin C concentrate;<sup id="cite_ref-de_Assis_6-1" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-de_Assis-6" >[7]</a></sup></li>

<li >Baby food and juice<sup id="cite_ref-Clein_13-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Clein-13" >[14]</a></sup></li>

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<p > 

A comparative analysis of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant" title="Antioxidant" >antioxidant</a> potency among a variety of frozen juice pulps was carried out, including the acerola fruit. Among the eleven fruits' pulps tested, acerola was the highest-scoring domestic fruit, meaning it had the most antioxidant potency, with a TEAC (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolox" title="Trolox" >Trolox</a> equivalent antioxidant activity) score of 53.2 mmol g.<sup id="cite_ref-kuskoski_14-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-kuskoski-14" >[15]</a></sup>

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolut_Vodka" title="Absolut Vodka" >Absolut Vodka</a> released Absolut Los Angeles, a limited-edition spirit flavored with acerola, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7ai" title="Açai" class="mw-redirect" >açai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate" title="Pomegranate" >pomegranate</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberry" title="Blueberry" >blueberry</a>, in July 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-15" >[16]</a></sup>

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<h3 >Other uses</h3>

<p >Acerola is a popular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai" title="Bonsai" >bonsai</a> subject because of its small leaf, fruit and fine ramification. It is also grown as an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornamental_plant" title="Ornamental plant" >ornamental</a><sup id="cite_ref-Gilman_16-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Gilman-16" >[17]</a></sup> and for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge" title="Hedge" >hedges</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Hanelt_8-1" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-Hanelt-8" >[9]</a></sup></p>

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<i>Malpighia glabra</i> is one of three ingredients in a proprietary herbal medicine for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergic_rhinitis" title="Allergic rhinitis" >allergic rhinitis</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata#cite_note-17" >[18]</a></sup></p>