Papaya: A Nutritious Tropical Fruit
Published in: Food Product Design, Oct. 12, 2011
By Kasi Sundaresan, Ph. D., Contributing Editor
Papaya is a fruit from the group of yellow and orange fruits
gaining immense popularity in the United States. This tropical fruit was
reputedly called "The Fruit of the Angels" by Christopher Columbus.
Originally from southern Mexico,  Central America and northern South
America, the fruit is now cultivated throughout the tropical world and
in the warmest parts of the subtropics. Papaya fruit is commonly
consumed fresh, but it is also cooked or used in salads, preserves,
sauces, dressings, juices, nectars, smoothies and pies.
Papaya cultivation
Papaya belongs to the family Caricaceae, which includes
four genera and about 20 species native to the growing region. The
papaya tree is a rapid-growing perennial that looks like a small palm
tree, with a single slender, cylindrical trunk with a crown of leaves.
The tree attains an average height of 10 to 13 feet. It is propagated
from seeds. Because of open pollination, it is difficult to obtain a
pure cultivar for papaya. Papaya trees develop to their full size in
less than a year and are ready to bear fruit at any time during the
year.
Among the numerous varieties of papaya are important commercial
varieties such as 'Red Lady', 'Maradol', ‘Waimanalo' and different
‘Solo' types. Two kinds of papayas are commonly grown; red papaya has
sweet, red (or orange) flesh, and yellow papaya has yellow flesh. The
large-fruited, red-fleshed 'Maradol', 'Sunrise', and 'Caribbean Red'
papayas often sold in U.S. markets are commonly grown in Mexico and
Belize. Weather conditions, such as cold temperatures, lack of water
(drought), high, constant winds, or shade, will reduce papaya growth and
production. Papaya plants grow best in areas where temperatures remain
warm to hot (70 to 90° F; 21 to 32° C). Papaya trees are not tolerant of
freezing temperatures and are damaged or killed below 31° F (-0.6° C).
Papaya trees are susceptible to wind damage and will not establish or
grow well in continuously windy areas. The fruit is commonly spherical
to cylindrical in form. Attached along the walls of the large inner
cavity of the fruit are numerous small, round, wrinkled black seeds The
juicy flesh is deep yellow, orange, red or salmon, and its flavor
profile strongly resembles a muskmelon. Deliciously sweet with musky
undertones and a soft, butterlike consistency, it is greatly enjoyed in
tropical countries. The soluble-solids level of the mature fruits is
typically 11.5% or higher,
Of nutritional note
Puréed papaya is a good source of beta carotene and iron for lactating mothers, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition
(2001; 131:1,497-1,502.). Papaya is an excellent source of ascorbic
acid (about 60 mg to  100 mg per 100 grams pulp), a good source of
provitamin A, some B complex vitamins and many phytochemicals having
antioxidant properties. During the the papaya's development, ascorbic
acid increases gradually until the fruit reaches maturity. The change in
outer color is an indicator of ripeness, and this change is considered
mainly due to increase in carotene content and decrease in chlorophyll.
Carotenoid contents differ between yellow- and red-fleshed papaya. The
red-fleshed papaya has 64 % of the total carotenoids as lycopene.
Papaya has many applications in processed-food products and is
available in a variety of forms, including purée, concentrate, powder,
and dried or canned slices or chunks. Papaya purée is the major
semiprocessed product that finds use in juices, nectars, fruit
cocktails, jams and jellies. A number of low-moisture products, such as
fruit leather, toffees, chunks, rolls and slices, have also been
prepared from papaya purée. Besides its well-known use in food
applications, the papaya has many traditional medicinal uses. Shamans in
the Amazon used the seeds to cure parasites, which commonly affect
native people.
Most villages plant papaya in their medicinal gardens to make use
of this treatment. It also is used in medicines to treat arthritis and
asthma. An extract from the fruit was also used to treat ulcers and
reduce swelling after surgery. Papain is also applied topically (in
countries where it grows) for the treatment of cuts, rashes, stings and
burns. Women in some Asian countries have long used green papaya as a
folk remedy for contraception and abortion. Enslaved women in the West
Indies were noted for consuming papaya to prevent pregnancies and thus
preventing their children from being born into slavery.
Due to its unique flavor, papaya is a popular ingredient in fruit
juices, nectars and squashes in various parts of the world. Papaya
pairs well with fruits like mango and guava in fruit-juice formulations.
Enzymatic magic
 The latex of the papaya plant and its green fruits contain two
proteolytic enzymes, papain and chymopapain. Chymopapain is more
abundant in the fruit, but papain is twice as potent in usage. Papain, a
cysteine proteinase, also has a vast number of commercial uses. Papain
is extracted and purifies to make digestive-enzyme dietary supplements,
and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.
One of the best-known uses of papain is as a meat tenderizer,
especially for home or foodservice use. The enzyme can be applied to the
surface, but is best as part of a marinade. The result depends on the
time and temperature of the application. Papain-treated meat should
never be cooked "rare," but should be cooked sufficiently to inactivate
the enzyme, requiring a temperature as high as 170 to185°F to completely
inactivate it.
Papain has many other practical applications. It is used to
clarify beer, treat wool and silk before dyeing, to de-hair hides before
tanning, and also serves as an adjunct in rubber manufacturing. It is
used in making toothpaste, and cosmetic products.
Papaya is a delicious and nutritious fruit, and is of
considerable economic importance in many tropical countries and export
markets in temperate countries.
Kasi Sundaresan, Ph. D, is manager of research, development
and quality for iTi Tropicals. For more information visit
ititropicals.com.
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