Misplaced Pages

Pitaya: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 04:28, 14 July 2012 edit222.254.158.24 (talk) →Vernacular names← Previous edit Latest revision as of 08:25, 17 December 2024 edit undoCitation bot (talk | contribs)Bots5,409,309 edits Altered template type. Add: doi, date, authors 1-2. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Tropical fruit | #UCB_Category 148/212 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Fruit of several cactus species}}
]
{{for multi|the city in Thailand|Pattaya|the Thai weightlifter|Pitaya Tibnoke}}
]'' pitayas at a market stall in ], between some ] and some ]s.]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
A '''pitaya''' ({{IPAc-en|icon|p|ɨ|ˈ|t|aɪ|.|ə}}) or '''pitahaya''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɪ|t|ə|ˈ|h|aɪ|.|ə}}) is the ] of several ] ], most importantly of the ] ''''']''''' ('''sweet pitayas''').
]
], Taiwan|alt=Market stall in ]]]


A '''pitaya''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ᵻ|ˈ|t|aɪ|.|ə}}) or '''pitahaya''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɪ|t|ə|ˈ|h|aɪ|.|ə}}) is the ] of several ] species ] to the region of southern ] and along the Pacific coasts of ], ], and ].<ref name="cabi">{{cite web|title=''Hylocereus undatus'' (dragon fruit)|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/27317|publisher=] (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International)|access-date=19 April 2018|date=3 January 2018|website=]}}</ref><ref name="morton">{{cite book |last1=Morton |first1=J.F. |year=1987 |title=Fruits of warm climates |url=https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/strawberry_pear_ars.html |pages=347–348 |location=], USA |publisher=Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, ]|access-date=8 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505160134/https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/strawberry_pear_ars.html|archive-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Pitaya is cultivated in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, Brazil, and throughout tropical and ] regions of the world.
If not otherwise stated, this article's content refers specifically to the pitayas of '']'' species, or '''dragon fruit'''.


''Pitaya'' usually refers to fruit of the genus '']'', while ''pitahaya'' or '''dragon fruit''' refers to fruit of the genus '']'' (formerly ''Hylocereus''), both in the family Cactaceae.<ref name="EoFN">{{cite book |editor-last1=Janick |editor-first1=Jules |editor-last2=Paull |editor-first2=Robert E. |year=2008 |chapter=C |title=The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cjHCoMQNkcgC&pg=PA215 |location=]|publisher=] (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International)|pages=215–216, 222–226 |isbn=978-0-85199-638-7}}</ref> The common name in English {{ndash}} dragon fruit {{ndash}} derives from the leather-like ] and scaly spikes on the fruit exterior. Depending on the variety, pitaya fruits may have sweet- or sour-tasting flesh that can be red, white, or yellow in color.
==Vernacular names==
These fruits are commonly known as ''dragon fruit'', Chinese huǒ lóng guǒ, "fire dragon fruit", lóng zhū guǒ, "dragon pearl fruit", Vietnamese thanh long meaning "green dragon", Indonesian and Malaysian buah naga, Lao mark mang gohn, and Thai kaeo mangkon or "dragon crystal". Other vernacular names are strawberry ] or nanettikafruit.


== Vernacular names ==
==Distribution==
These fruits are commonly known in English as "dragon fruit", a name used since 1963, apparently resulting from the leather-like ] and prominent scaly spikes on the fruit exterior.<ref name="mwd">{{cite web |title=Dragon fruit |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragon%20fruit#h1 |publisher=]|access-date=25 March 2019 |date=2019}}</ref> The fruit is often designated as "Vietnamese dragon fruit" as ] is the lead exporter.<ref>{{Cite book |last1= Menon |first1= Jayant |last2= Roth |first2= Vathana |title= Agricultural Trade between China and the Greater Mekong Subregion Countries: A Value Chain Analysis |date=2022-06-21 |publisher=ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute |isbn=978-981-5011-13-5 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DB-CEAAAQBAJ&dq=vietnamese+%22dragon+fruit%22&pg=PA264}}</ref> The fruit may also be known as a '''strawberry pear'''.<ref name="morton"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mitcham|first1=Elizabeth Jeanne|last2= Tonetto de Freitas|first2= Sérgio |title= Quality of pitaya fruit (''Hylocereus undatus'') as influenced by storage temperature and packaging |date= August 2013 |journal= Scientia Agricola |volume=70 |issue=4 |pages= 257–262 |doi=10.1590/S0103-90162013000400006 |issn= 0103-9016 |doi-access= free |url= http://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/69395/1/Tonetto.pdf}}</ref>
The vine-like ] pitaya-producing cacti of the genus '']'' are native to ], ], and ].
Currently, they are also cultivated in ]n and ]n countries such as ] (especially in eastern Java), ], ], ], the ], ], ],<ref name="dragonfruit">{{cite web|url=http://www.exoticfruitx.com/2011/08/dragon-fruit-an-exotic-health-packed-fruit/|title=Dragon Fruit: An Exotic, Health-Packed Fruit|date=23 August 2011|publisher=Exotic Fruit for Health|accessdate=18 September 2011}}</ref> and more recently ].<ref>. Viddler.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cactus-epiphytes.eu/z_page_le_fruit_du_dragon.htm|title="Thanh Long:" The Dragon Fruit|date=November 2006|publisher=Epiphytic Cacti|accessdate=9 June 2012}}</ref> They are also found in ], ], ], ], northern ] and southern ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}


The names ''pitahaya'' and ''pitaya'' derive from Mexico, and ''pitaya roja'' in Central America and northern South America, possibly relating to pitahaya for names of tall cacti species with flowering fruit.<ref name=morton/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_768_2005-01-11.html|title=Dragon fruit|publisher=] Government|date=2017|access-date=19 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121174239/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_768_2005-01-11.html|archive-date=21 November 2016}}</ref>
The fruit was likely introduced by ] who brought fruit from the New World to other parts of the world.<ref>http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/cacti/pitaya.htm</ref> In the case of Taiwan, the fruit was brought in by the Dutch.<ref>http://www.taiwan.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=35870&CtNode=2181&mp=1005</ref>


== Geography ==
''Hylocereus'' blooms only at night; the large white fragrant flowers of the typical cactusflower shape are among those called "]" or "]". Sweet pitayas have a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. It is also grown as an ], used in ]s as a flowering ], and a ] indoors.
]|alt=Juice being sold in ]]]
Pitaya or dragon fruit is native to the region of southern Mexico and along the Pacific coasts of ], ], and ].<ref name=cabi/><ref name=morton/> The dragon fruit is cultivated in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, and throughout tropical and ] regions of the world.<ref name=cabi/><ref name=morton/>


== Varieties ==
]'' pitaya prepared for eating]]
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2022}}


=== ''Stenocereus'' ===
==Varieties==
'']'' fruit (sour pitayas) are a variety that is commonly eaten in the arid regions of the Americas. They are more sour and refreshing, with juicier flesh and a stronger taste.
]
''''']''''' fruit ('''sour pitayas''') are of more local importance, being commonly eaten in the arid regions of the Americas. They are more sour and refreshing, with juicier flesh and a stronger taste, and are relished by hikers{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}. The sour pitaya or '''pitaya agria''' ('']'')<ref>Lauri (2000)</ref> in the ] has been an important food source for Native Americans. The ] of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit,<ref>Felger & Moser (1985)</ref> and call the plant '''''ziix is ccapxl''''' &ndash; "thing whose fruit is sour". The fruit of related species, such as '']'' and the ] ('']''),<ref>Villalobos ''et al.'' (2007)</ref> are also locally important food. Somewhat confusingly, the ] (''S. thurberi'') fruit (called '''''ool''''' by the Seris) is the '''''pitahaya dulce''''' ("sweet pitahaya") of its native lands, as dragon fruit are not grown there in numbers. It still has a more tart aroma than ''Hylocereus'' fruit, described as somewhat reminiscent of ]; it has some uses in ].


The sour pitaya or ''pitaya agria'' ('']'') in the ] has been an important food source for ]. The ] of northwestern Mexico still harvest the fruit, and call the plant ''ziix is ccapxl'' "thing whose fruit is sour".
Fruits of some other columnar cacti (mainly Cereeae) are also called "pitayas" &ndash; for example those of the ] (''Cereus repandus''), which are very rare.


The fruit of related species, such as '']'' and the dagger cactus or ''pitaya de mayo'' ('']''),<ref name="EoFN"/>{{rp|223–225}} are also locally important foods. The fruit of the organ pipe cactus ('']'', called ''ool'' by the Seris) is the ''pitaya dulce'' "sweet pitaya".
==Cultivation==
]]]
]


=== Dragon fruit, ''Selenicereus'' ===
After thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the fruit, the seeds may be stored when dried. Ideally, the fruit must be unblemished and overripe.
]]]
Seeds grow well in a compost or potting soil mix - even as a potted indoor plant. Pitaya cacti usually germinate between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower.{{Clarify|date=May 2012}}<!-- This sentence implies that pitaya maturity is measured by the plant's weight. Is that true? If so, why? -->
Sweet pitayas come in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:<ref name="EoFN"/>{{rp|215–216}}
* '']'' (''Pitaya blanca'' or white-fleshed pitaya, also known as ''Hylocereus undatus'') has pink-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon fruit".
Pitaya flowers bloom overnight and usually wilt by the morning. They rely on nocturnal ]s such as ]s or ]s for fertilization. Self-fertilization will not produce fruit. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times in a year depending on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it may take root in soil and become its own plant.
* '']'' (''Pitaya roja'' or red-fleshed pitaya, also known as ''Hylocereus costaricensis'', and possibly incorrectly as ''Hylocereus polyrhizus'') has red-skinned fruit with red flesh.
* '']'' (''Pitaya amarilla'' or yellow pitaya, also known as ''Hylocereus megalanthus'') has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.


The fruit normally weighs from {{convert|150 to 600|g|oz|frac=2}}; some may reach {{convert|1|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=''Hylocereus undatus'' (dragon fruit)|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/27317|access-date=2020-10-12|website=]|date=2022 |language=en|publisher=] (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International)|doi=10.1079/cabicompendium.27317 |last1=Rojas-Sandoval |first1=J. |last2=Praciak |first2=A. }}</ref> Early imports from ] to ] were designated "''Hylocereus ocampensis''" (or "'']''", the red fruit) and "''Cereus triangularis''" (supposedly, the yellow fruit or the three-sided cross-section of the stem).
The plants can handle temperatures up to {{convert|40|C|F}} and very short periods of frost, but will not survive long exposure to freezing temperatures. The cacti thrive most in ]s 10-11, but may survive outdoors in zone 9a or 9b.<ref>http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/dragon_fruit.htm</ref><ref>http://dragon.fruit.pitaya.fruit.foodlywise.com/growing_dragon_fruit_pitaya/growing_dragon_fruit.html</ref><ref>http://www.forestmulch.com/dragon-3.htm</ref>


== Cultivation ==
''Hylocereus'' has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain.
]]]
The dragon fruit sets on the cactus-like trees 30–50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per ] every year.<ref>Jacobs (1999)</ref>
], Fujian, China]]


After a thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the fruit, the seeds may be stored when dried. The ideal fruit is unblemished and overripe.
===Pests and diseases===
Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. The ] '']'' causes the stems to rot. '']'' ] can cause brown spots on the fruit, but this is not common.


Seeds grow well in a ] or potting soil mix – even as a potted indoor plant. Pitaya cacti usually germinate after between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature {{convert|10|lb|kg|abbr=off|order=flip}} in weight, the plant may flower.{{Clarify|date=May 2012}}
==Fruit==
<!-- This sentence implies that pitaya maturity is measured by the plant's weight. Is that true? If so, why? -->
]
Sweet pitayas come in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:
*'']'' (red pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon fruit".
*'']'' (Costa Rica pitaya, often called ''H. polyrhizus'') has red-skinned fruit with red flesh
*'']'' (yellow pitaya, formerly in ''Selenicereus'') has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.


Commercial plantings can be done at high density with between {{convert|1100 and 1350|/ha|/acre|0}}. Plants can take up to 60 months/260 weeks to come into full commercial production, at which stage yields of {{convert|20 to 30|MT|ST|0}} can be expected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://amorentia.co.za/dragon-fruit/|title=Dragon Fruit – Amorentia Sweet Dragon Fruit|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref>
Early imports from ] to ] were designated '']'' (supposedly red fruit) and '']'' (supposedly yellow fruit). It is not quite certain to which ] these ] refer, though the latter is probably the red pitaya.


Pitaya flowers bloom overnight and usually wilt by the evening.<ref>{{cite book|last=Boning|first=Charles R.|title=Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines|year=2006|publisher=Pineapple Press, Inc.|location=Sarasota, Florida|isbn=978-1-56164-372-1|page=185}}</ref> They rely on nocturnal ]s such as ]s or ]s for fertilization. Self-fertilization will not produce fruit in some species and while crossbreeding has resulted in several "self-fertile" varieties, cross-pollinating with a second, genetically distinct plant of the same species generally increases ] and quality. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times per year depending on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it may take root in the soil and become its own plant.
The fruit can weigh from 150 to 600&nbsp;grams; some may reach one kilogram.


The plants can endure temperatures up to {{convert|40|C|F}} and short periods of frost but will not survive long exposure to freezing temperatures. The cacti thrive most in ] 10–11 but may survive outdoors in zone 9a or 9b.<ref name=morton/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/article1977019.html|title=Dragon fruit surprisingly easy to grow|publisher=Miami Herald|author=Setzer, Kenneth|date=26 July 2014|access-date=19 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320143829/http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/article1977019.html|archive-date=20 March 2017}}</ref>
==Consumption==
To prepare a pitaya for consumption, the fruit is cut open to expose the flesh. The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the ] because of its black, crunchy seeds. The flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in ]s. The seeds are eaten together with the flesh, have a nutty taste and are rich in ]s,<ref name = ariffinetal2008>{{cite journal |last=Ariffin|first=Abdul Azis|coauthors= Bakar, Jamilah; Tan, Chin Ping; Rahman, Russly Abdul; Karim, Roselina & Loi, Chia Chun |year=2008 |title=Essential fatty acids of pitaya (dragon fruit) seed oil |journal=] |volume=114 |issue=2 |pages=561–564 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.108}}</ref> but they are indigestible unless chewed. The fruit is also converted into ] or ], or used to flavour other ]s. The ]s can be eaten or steeped as ]. The skin is not eaten, and in farm-grown fruit it may be polluted with ]s.{{FACT|date=July 2012}}


''Selenicereus'' has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. In numerous regions, it has ] to become a weed and is classified as an ] in some countries.<ref name=cabi/>
Ingestion of significant amounts of red-fleshed dragon fruit (such as Costa Rica Pitaya) may result in ], a harmless reddish coloration of the urine and faeces.<ref>MMR (2008)</ref>


===Taste=== === Pests and diseases ===
Stems and fruits are susceptible to several diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, a ], and a virus.<ref name=":0" /> Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Masyahit|first1=M.|last2=Sijam|first2=K.|last3=Awang|first3=Y.|last4=Ghazali|first4=M.|title=The Occurrence of Anthracnose Disease Caused by ''Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides'' on Dragon Fruit (''Hylocereus'' SPP.) in Peninsular Malaysia|date=February 2013|journal=Acta Horticulturae|issue=975|pages=187–195|doi=10.17660/actahortic.2013.975.20|issn=0567-7572|url=http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/29505/1/The%20occurrence%20of%20anthracnose%20disease%20caused%20by%20Colletotrichum%20gloeosporioides%20on%20dragon%20fruit.pdf}}</ref> The ] '']'' causes the stems to rot. '']'' fungi can cause brown spots on the fruit. Other fungi known to infect pitaya include '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|last1=Balendres|first1=M|last2=Bengoa|first2=J|date=2019|title=Diseases of dragon fruit (''Hylocereus'' species): Etiology and current management options|journal=]|volume=126|pages=104920|doi=10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104920|s2cid=202020863|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019CrPro.12604920B}}</ref>
The mild taste of pitaya flesh is often remarked upon, as it stands in stark contrast to the vibrant exterior. The taste has been described as being "very bland... like a melon or kiwi," with a "mild sweetness."<ref name="dragonfruit" />


== Uses ==
===Nutritional information===
=== Culinary ===
]
The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the ] because of its black, crunchy seeds. The seed oil contains the ]s ] and ].<ref name = ariffinetal2008>{{cite journal |first1=Abdul Azis |last1=Ariffin |first2=Jamilah |last2=Bakar |first3=Chin Ping |last3=Tan |first4=Russly Abdul |last4=Rahman |first5=Roselina |last5=Karim |first6=Chia Chun |last6=Loi |year=2008 |title=Essential fatty acids of pitaya (dragon fruit) seed oil |journal=] |volume=114 |issue=2 |pages=561–64 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.108|url=http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14553/1/Essential%20fatty%20acids%20of%20pitaya.pdf }}</ref> Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color ]s and ]s, such as "Dragon's Blood Punch" and the "Dragotini".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Small|first1=Ernest|title=Top 100 Exotic Food Plants|date=2011|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781439856888|page=105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Au3RBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA105|access-date=29 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118210349/https://books.google.com/books?id=Au3RBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA105|archive-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> The ]s can be eaten or steeped as ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=K|first1=Lim T.|title=Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 1, Fruits|date=2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9789048186617|page=641|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tixF72IuRFwC&pg=PA641|access-date=29 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118210349/https://books.google.com/books?id=tixF72IuRFwC&pg=PA641|archive-date=18 November 2017}}</ref>
The edible parts of raw pitaya consist of mostly water and carbohydrates, with some protein and fat content. Pitayas contain slight amounts of ], ], ], and other nutrients.


The red and purple colors of some ''Selenicereus'' fruits are due to ]s, a family of pigments that includes ], the same substance that gives ]s, ], and ] their red color.<ref name="rebecca">O. P. S. Rebecca, A. N. Boyce and S. Chandran (2010), African Journal of Biotechnology, volume 9, issue 10, pp. 1450–54.</ref><ref name="tang">C. S. Tang and M. H. Norziah (2007) Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, volume 7, issue 3, pp. 327–31.</ref>
The fatty acid compositions of two pitaya seed oils were determined as follows:<ref name = ariffinetal2008 />
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! ''"Hylocereus polyrhizus"'' (probably ])
! '']'' (Red Pitaya)
|-
| ]
| 0.2%
| 0.3%
|-
| ]
| 17.9%
| 17.1%
|-
| ]
| 5.49%
| 4.37%
|-
| ]
| 0.91%
| 0.61%
|-
| ]
| 21.6%
| 23.8%
|-
| Cis-]
| 3.14%
| 2.81%
|-
| ]
| 49.6%
| 50.1%
|-
| ]
| 1.21%
| 0.98%
|}


{{nutritional value
==Uses==
| name=Pitaya, Raw <br/>
* Particularly red-skinned pitayas are a good source of ].
| kJ = 240
* Pitayas are rich in fiber and minerals, notably ] and ]. Red pitayas seem to be richer in the former, yellow ones in the latter.
| fat=0.14 g
* The seeds are rich in ]ty acids, and in particular Red Pitayas contain very little ].<ref name = ariffinetal2008 />
| protein=0.36 g
* Pitahayas also contain significant quantities of ] ], which prevent the formation of cancer-causing ]s.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}
| water=84 g
* In Taiwan, ]s use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a source of ].{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}
| carbs=15.2 g
* Pitaya supposedly increases ] of ] toxins and lowers ] and ]. Eaten regularly, it is credited with alleviating chronic ] ailments.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}
| fiber=3.1 g
| sugars=9.75 g
| calcium_mg=9
| iron_mg=0.18
| magnesium_mg=7
| phosphorus_mg=12
| potassium_mg=116
| sodium_mg=1
| zinc_mg=
| manganese_mg=
| vitC_mg=4.3
| thiamin_mg=
| riboflavin_mg=
| niacin_mg=
| pantothenic_mg=
| vitB6_mg=
| folate_ug=7
| choline_mg=5.1
| vitE_mg=
| vitK_ug=4.4
| source_usda = 0
| note=
}}
==Nutrients==
The ] published their analysis of the nutritional contents of raw Pitaya in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/2344729/nutrients | title=FoodData Central }}</ref> The majority of the fruit by weight is water (87g out of 100g). One serving of {{convert|100|g|oz|abbr=off|adj=on|frac=2}} provides {{convert|57|kcal|kJ|order=flip|abbr=off}} of food energy.


The USDA also reports one limited ] entry from a manufacturer of a ]ed product, showing that a {{convert|100|g|oz|abbr=off|adj=on|frac=2}} reference serving of ''dried'' pitaya provides {{convert|264|kcal|kJ|order=flip|abbr=off}} of ], 82% ]s, 4% ], and 11% of the ] each for ] and ]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/411576/nutrients | title=FoodData Central }}</ref>.{{dubious|date=November 2019}}
==Gallery==

=== Seed oils ===
The fatty acid compositions of the seed oils of '']'', syn. ''Hylocereus costaricensis'' (red-fleshed pitaya) and '']'', syn. ''Hylocereus undatus'' (white-fleshed pitaya) were similar: ] (negligible), ] (17%), ] (5%), ] (about 1%), ] (22%), cis-] (3%), ] (50%), and ] (1%).<ref name = ariffinetal2008 />

== Gallery ==
<gallery> <gallery>
File:pitaya2.jpg|Red Pitaya (''Hylocereus undatus'') File:Dragonfruit tree.jpg|Pitaya "tree"
File:Naozhou - P1570863 - dragon fruit.JPG|Plantation in ]
File:Hylocereus polyrhizus.jpg|Costa Rica Pitaya (''Hylocereus costaricensis'')
File:Hylocereus undatus in bloom in Kona.jpg|Nocturnal flowering
File:Pitaya red.jpg|Flesh of Costa Rica Pitayas
File:Yellow dragon fruit (50831s).jpg|Yellow '']''
File:PitayaFluer.jpg|Costa Rica Pitaya flower
File:Hylocereus polyrhizus.jpg|Red '']''
File:Yellow pitaya.jpg|Yellow Pitaya (''Hylocereus megalanthus'')
File:Jus buah naga.jpg|''Jus buah naga'', purple pitaya juice, Indonesia
File:PinkDragonfruit.jpg|Pink dragonfruit
File:Dragon fruit CM.jpg|A close-up of slices of white and red Pitaya File:Pitaya Colors.jpg|Red, yellow and white fruits
File:MAPElNorte025.JPG|Dress for a folk dance called ''Flor de Pitahaya'' "Pitahaya Flower" from ] displayed at the ] in Mexico City
File:Dragon fruit (Pitaya).jpg|Dissected pitaya
</gallery> </gallery>


==See also== == See also ==
{{Portal|Plants}}
* '']'' - ''prickly pear cacti with edible "cactus figs" or "tunas" fruit''
* ] * ]
* '']'' – prickly pear cacti with edible "cactus figs" or ''tunas'' fruit


==Footnotes== == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist|30em}}


== External links ==
===References===
*{{Commons category-inline|Pitaya}}
* Agricultura Sensitiva (AS) : . Retrieved January 19, 2008.
* Felger, Richard & Moser, Mary B. (1985): ''People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians''. University of Arizona Press, Tucson
* Jacobs, Dimitri (1999): Pitaya (''Hylocereus undatus''), a Potential New Crop for Australia. ''Australian New Crops Newsletter'' '''11''': 16.3.
* Lauri, Bob (2000): Ocean Oasis Field Guide - . Retrieved October 1, 2007.
* Malaysian Medical Resources (MMR) (2008): . Retrieved February 24, 2008.
* Villalobos, Soraya; Vargas, Orlando & Melo, Sandra (2007): Uso, manejo y conservacion de ''"yosú", ]'' (Cactaceae) en la Alta Guajira colombiana . ''Acta Biologica Colombiana'' '''12'''(1): 99-112.


{{Commons category}}

]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
]
]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 08:25, 17 December 2024

Fruit of several cactus species For the city in Thailand, see Pattaya. For the Thai weightlifter, see Pitaya Tibnoke.

Ripe, longitudinal section
Market stall in Taiwan
Dragon fruit sold in a market in Chiayi, Taiwan

A pitaya (/pɪˈtaɪ.ə/) or pitahaya (/ˌpɪtəˈhaɪ.ə/) is the fruit of several cactus species indigenous to the region of southern Mexico and along the Pacific coasts of Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. Pitaya is cultivated in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, Brazil, and throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Pitaya usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while pitahaya or dragon fruit refers to fruit of the genus Selenicereus (formerly Hylocereus), both in the family Cactaceae. The common name in English – dragon fruit – derives from the leather-like skin and scaly spikes on the fruit exterior. Depending on the variety, pitaya fruits may have sweet- or sour-tasting flesh that can be red, white, or yellow in color.

Vernacular names

These fruits are commonly known in English as "dragon fruit", a name used since 1963, apparently resulting from the leather-like skin and prominent scaly spikes on the fruit exterior. The fruit is often designated as "Vietnamese dragon fruit" as Vietnam is the lead exporter. The fruit may also be known as a strawberry pear.

The names pitahaya and pitaya derive from Mexico, and pitaya roja in Central America and northern South America, possibly relating to pitahaya for names of tall cacti species with flowering fruit.

Geography

Juice being sold in Thailand
Dragon fruit juice in Thailand

Pitaya or dragon fruit is native to the region of southern Mexico and along the Pacific coasts of Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. The dragon fruit is cultivated in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, and throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Varieties

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Stenocereus

Stenocereus fruit (sour pitayas) are a variety that is commonly eaten in the arid regions of the Americas. They are more sour and refreshing, with juicier flesh and a stronger taste.

The sour pitaya or pitaya agria (S. gummosus) in the Sonoran Desert has been an important food source for indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Seri people of northwestern Mexico still harvest the fruit, and call the plant ziix is ccapxl "thing whose fruit is sour".

The fruit of related species, such as S. queretaroensis and the dagger cactus or pitaya de mayo (S. griseus), are also locally important foods. The fruit of the organ pipe cactus (S. thurberi, called ool by the Seris) is the pitaya dulce "sweet pitaya".

Dragon fruit, Selenicereus

Fresh ripe dragon fruit in Vietnam

Sweet pitayas come in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:

  • Selenicereus undatus (Pitaya blanca or white-fleshed pitaya, also known as Hylocereus undatus) has pink-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon fruit".
  • Selenicereus costaricensis (Pitaya roja or red-fleshed pitaya, also known as Hylocereus costaricensis, and possibly incorrectly as Hylocereus polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh.
  • Selenicereus megalanthus (Pitaya amarilla or yellow pitaya, also known as Hylocereus megalanthus) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.

The fruit normally weighs from 150 to 600 grams (5+1⁄2 to 21 oz); some may reach 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz). Early imports from Colombia to Australia were designated "Hylocereus ocampensis" (or "Cereus repandus", the red fruit) and "Cereus triangularis" (supposedly, the yellow fruit or the three-sided cross-section of the stem).

Cultivation

Seedling
Dragon fruit farm at the east of Dongdai Town, Lianjiang County, Fujian, China

After a thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the fruit, the seeds may be stored when dried. The ideal fruit is unblemished and overripe.

Seeds grow well in a compost or potting soil mix – even as a potted indoor plant. Pitaya cacti usually germinate after between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) in weight, the plant may flower.

Commercial plantings can be done at high density with between 1,100 and 1,350 per hectare (445 and 546/acre). Plants can take up to 60 months/260 weeks to come into full commercial production, at which stage yields of 20 to 30 metric tons (22 to 33 short tons) can be expected.

Pitaya flowers bloom overnight and usually wilt by the evening. They rely on nocturnal pollinators such as bats or moths for fertilization. Self-fertilization will not produce fruit in some species and while crossbreeding has resulted in several "self-fertile" varieties, cross-pollinating with a second, genetically distinct plant of the same species generally increases fruit set and quality. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times per year depending on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it may take root in the soil and become its own plant.

The plants can endure temperatures up to 40 °C (104 °F) and short periods of frost but will not survive long exposure to freezing temperatures. The cacti thrive most in USDA zones 10–11 but may survive outdoors in zone 9a or 9b.

Selenicereus has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. In numerous regions, it has escaped cultivation to become a weed and is classified as an invasive weed in some countries.

Pests and diseases

Stems and fruits are susceptible to several diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, a nematode, and a virus. Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris causes the stems to rot. Dothiorella fungi can cause brown spots on the fruit. Other fungi known to infect pitaya include Botryosphaeria dothidea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Bipolaris cactivora.

Uses

Culinary

The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit because of its black, crunchy seeds. The seed oil contains the fatty acids linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color juices and alcoholic beverages, such as "Dragon's Blood Punch" and the "Dragotini". The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea.

The red and purple colors of some Selenicereus fruits are due to betacyanins, a family of pigments that includes betanin, the same substance that gives beets, Swiss chard, and amaranth their red color.

Pitaya, Raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy240 kJ (57 kcal)
Carbohydrates15.2 g
Sugars9.75 g
Dietary fiber3.1 g
Fat0.14 g
Protein0.36 g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity %DV
Folate (B9)2% 7 μg
Choline1% 5.1 mg
Vitamin C5% 4.3 mg
Vitamin K4% 4.4 μg
MineralsQuantity %DV
Calcium1% 9 mg
Iron1% 0.18 mg
Magnesium2% 7 mg
Phosphorus1% 12 mg
Potassium4% 116 mg
Sodium0% 1 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water84 g
Link to USDA Database entry
Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults, except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.

Nutrients

The USDA FoodData Central database published their analysis of the nutritional contents of raw Pitaya in 2022. The majority of the fruit by weight is water (87g out of 100g). One serving of 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) provides 240 kilojoules (57 kilocalories) of food energy.

The USDA also reports one limited product label entry from a manufacturer of a branded product, showing that a 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving of dried pitaya provides 1,100 kilojoules (264 kilocalories) of food energy, 82% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and 11% of the Daily Value each for vitamin C and calcium.

Seed oils

The fatty acid compositions of the seed oils of Selenicereus costaricensis, syn. Hylocereus costaricensis (red-fleshed pitaya) and Selenicereus undatus, syn. Hylocereus undatus (white-fleshed pitaya) were similar: myristic acid (negligible), palmitic acid (17%), stearic acid (5%), palmitoleic acid (about 1%), oleic acid (22%), cis-vaccenic acid (3%), linoleic acid (50%), and α-linolenic acid (1%).

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hylocereus undatus (dragon fruit)". Invasive Species Compendium. CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International). 3 January 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  2. ^ Morton, J.F. (1987). Fruits of warm climates. West Lafayette, Indiana, USA: Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University. pp. 347–348. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. ^ Janick, Jules; Paull, Robert E., eds. (2008). "C". The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. Cambridge, United Kingdom: CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International). pp. 215–216, 222–226. ISBN 978-0-85199-638-7.
  4. "Dragon fruit". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. Menon, Jayant; Roth, Vathana (21 June 2022). Agricultural Trade between China and the Greater Mekong Subregion Countries: A Value Chain Analysis. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. ISBN 978-981-5011-13-5.
  6. Mitcham, Elizabeth Jeanne; Tonetto de Freitas, Sérgio (August 2013). "Quality of pitaya fruit (Hylocereus undatus) as influenced by storage temperature and packaging" (PDF). Scientia Agricola. 70 (4): 257–262. doi:10.1590/S0103-90162013000400006. ISSN 0103-9016.
  7. "Dragon fruit". National Library Board, Singapore Government. 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. Rojas-Sandoval, J.; Praciak, A. (2022). "Hylocereus undatus (dragon fruit)". Invasive Species Compendium. CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International). doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.27317. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  9. "Dragon Fruit – Amorentia Sweet Dragon Fruit". Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  10. Boning, Charles R. (2006). Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-56164-372-1.
  11. Setzer, Kenneth (26 July 2014). "Dragon fruit surprisingly easy to grow". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  12. ^ Balendres, M; Bengoa, J (2019). "Diseases of dragon fruit (Hylocereus species): Etiology and current management options". Crop Protection. 126: 104920. Bibcode:2019CrPro.12604920B. doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104920. S2CID 202020863.
  13. Masyahit, M.; Sijam, K.; Awang, Y.; Ghazali, M. (February 2013). "The Occurrence of Anthracnose Disease Caused by Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides on Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus SPP.) in Peninsular Malaysia" (PDF). Acta Horticulturae (975): 187–195. doi:10.17660/actahortic.2013.975.20. ISSN 0567-7572.
  14. ^ Ariffin, Abdul Azis; Bakar, Jamilah; Tan, Chin Ping; Rahman, Russly Abdul; Karim, Roselina; Loi, Chia Chun (2008). "Essential fatty acids of pitaya (dragon fruit) seed oil" (PDF). Food Chemistry. 114 (2): 561–64. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.108.
  15. Small, Ernest (2011). Top 100 Exotic Food Plants. CRC Press. p. 105. ISBN 9781439856888. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  16. K, Lim T. (2012). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 1, Fruits. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 641. ISBN 9789048186617. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  17. O. P. S. Rebecca, A. N. Boyce and S. Chandran (2010), "Pigment identification and antioxidant properties of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)" African Journal of Biotechnology, volume 9, issue 10, pp. 1450–54.
  18. C. S. Tang and M. H. Norziah (2007) "Stability of betacyanin pigments from red purple pitaya fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus): Influence of pH, temperature, metal ions and ascorbic acid" Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, volume 7, issue 3, pp. 327–31.
  19. United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  20. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  21. "FoodData Central".
  22. "FoodData Central".

External links

  • Media related to Pitaya at Wikimedia Commons
Categories: