The health and medicinal benefits of Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng., from India, commonly known as gac fruit or Chinese cucumber, are underutilized

The Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng contains potentially health-giving benefits. The findings of the study, led by researchers from Pandu College in India, were published in the journal Agroforestry Systems.

• M. cochinchinensis Spreng., Cucurbitaceae, also known as gac, is a plant native to Southeast Asia.
• In India, it is described as a large climber that can be found in the Cachar Hills region of Assam, India.
• In terms of morphology, M. cochinchinensis are robust climbing plants that have a tuberous root. The stems and the branches are known to be glabrous, or pubescent, and even tomentose on occasion.
• The plants are known to have high nutritional and medicinal properties, which have been used in many local practices.
• For the current study, the nutritional properties, as well as the antioxidant levels, of M. cochinchinensis was evaluated.
• The samples were collected and identified, with its voucher specimen deposited at the Botanical Survey of India. The authors obtained samples with both male and female flowers and noted its flowering period from June to August, while its fruiting period from August to October.

The findings indicated that the fruits of M. cochinchinensis possess nutraceutical properties and an adequate amount of antioxidants.

Journal Reference:

Sarmah P, Dutta S, Sarma A. PHYTO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS SPRENG: AN UNDERUTILISED WILD EDIBLE FRUIT FROM CACHAR HILLS, ASSAM. Agroforestry Systems. 2016;92(1):85–89. DOI: 10.1007/s10457-016-0016-y