Lucuma

1. Lucuma Classification

Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)

Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed Plants)

Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)

Subclass: Dilleniidae

Order: Ebenales

Family: Sapotaceae (Sapodilla Family)

Genus: Pouteria Aublet Hist. Guianne. 1:85, pl. 33. 1775.

Species: Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 195. 1898.
Synonyms:

• Achras lucuma Ruiz & Pav. Fl. Peruv. 3:17 t. 239. 1802
• Lucuma bifera Molina
• Lucuma biflora J.F. Gmel.
• Lucuma obovata Kunth
• Lucuma obovata var. ruizii A. DC.
• Lucuma turbinata Molina
• Pouteria insignis Baehni
• Richardella lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Aubrév.

Related Species:

• Pouteria caimito Radlk. “abiu”
• Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen "sapodilla”
• Pouteria sapota (Jacg.) H. Moore & Stearn “mamey sapote”
• Argania spinosa “Argan”
• Chrysophyllum cainito “Star Apple”
• Chrysophyllum oliviforme “Satin Leaf Tree”
• Chrysophyllum soboliferum “Armadillo Fruti”
• Manilkara bidentata “Ausubo”
• Mimusops elengi “Kabiki”
• Pouteria campechiana “Canistel”
• Pouteria hypoglauca “Cinnamon Apple”
• Pouteria multiflora “Bully Tree”
• Pouteria pariry “Frutao”
• Pouteria ramiflora “Macaranduba”
• Pouteria torta “Curiola”
• Pouteria ucuqui “Ucuqui”
• Pouteria viridis “Green Sapote”
• Synsepalum dulcificum “Miracle Fruti”
• Synsepalum subcordatum

Common Names: “lucuma”, “lucma”, “lucmo”. Spanish: “lúcuma”, “lúcumo”, “mamón”; Peru “lúcuma”, “lúcumo”, “locma”, “cumala”; Chile “lúcuma”, “lúcumo”; Ecuador “lucma”, “lugma”; Colombia “lúcuma”, “rucma”, “maco”, “sapote mamey”; Costa Rica “mamón”. Quechua: “lucma”, “rucma”, “lugma”, “lu’qma”, “rujma”. Aymara: “lu’kuma”.

2. Lucuma Description

Habit: Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze is an evergreen tree reaching up to 8 m to 15 m (sometimes 20 m) in height. The crown is dense, rounded, and profusely branched, from 6 m to 10 m in diameter. The young branchlets have dark- or light-brown velvety hairs and copious milky latex.

Leaves: The evergreen leaves, clustered at the tips of small branches, are simple, alternate, lanceolate, oblong, obovate, oval or elliptic, with ondulate margins in some cultivars, blunt at the apex, pointed at the base, 5 in to 10 in (12.5 cm to 25 cm) long, obtuse or subacute at the apex; thin or slightly leathery.

The young leaves are light-green or pink, and very pubescent. The old leaves are dark-green and shiny on the upper surface; pale and sometimes brown-hairy on the underside.

Flowers: The profuse flowers, borne singly or 2 or 3 together in the leaf axils, are tiny, hermaphrodites (bisexual), actinomorphic, tubular (gamopetalous), yellowish-green, green or light-brown, with hairy sepals and 5- to 7-lobed mouth about 1/2 in (1.25 cm) across.

The androecium is adnate to the corolla and usually consists of an inner whorl of fertile stamens equal in number and opposite to the corolla lobes, and often 1 or 2 additional whorls that are frequently reduced to staminodes or are obsolete.

The gynoecium comprises a single compound pistil, with a single style and a superior ovary typically with 4 or 5 locules but sometimes fewer or up to 14, each with a single axile ovule.

Fruit: The fruit is a berry. It is spherical, conical, oblate (basally compressed), ovate or elliptic, pointed or depressed at the apex; 3 in to 4 in (7.5 cm to 10 cm) long, with thin, delicate skin (exocarpium), brownish-green, green or bronzed yellow, more or less overlaid with russet.

The pulp (mesocarpium) has a particular flavor and aroma, very pleasant, bright-yellow colored, firm, dry, mealy, very sweet but permeated with latex until almost overripe. In Peru, two cultivars are known: ‘seda’ and ‘palo’. Pouteria lucuma ‘seda’ has a mealy pulp, very soft in consistency; Pouteria lucuma ‘palo’, on the other hand, has a hard pulp.

The endocarpium wraps the seed, is thin, and light-yellow colored. The fruit weight from 150 g to 250 g; 60% of it is pulp.

There may be 1 to 5, usually 2, rounded or broad-oval, dark-brown, glossy seeds with a whitish hilum on one flattish side. In some cultivars, the fruits can weight 1 kg.

3. Lucuma Origin, Distribution and Ecology

Origin: Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze is native to the cool highlands of Peru, above 1 000 m asl.

Distribution: Pouteria lucuma grows naturally in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Northern Chile, and, possibly, Bolivia. Today, it is also cultivated in Costa Rica, Central Chile, Mexico, Hawai, etc. It has also been introduced in the United States (Southern Florida and California), but the introduction has not been successful (only poor-quality fruits have been produced in Florida; in California, some trees did well at first but where eventually frozen out).

Except for those plantations in Costa Rica, this species is virtually unknown in commercial production outside Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. It seems likely to become useful in parts of Mexico, Central America, Brazil, and Central and South Africa.

This plant species develops very well in the Inter Andean valleys, especially in Peru, between 1 000 m and 3 000 m asl.

In Chile Pouteria lucuma is cultivated in small sectors principally in the Valley of Longotoma and La Ligua (fifth region), just a few miles north of Santiago, the capital of Chile.

Trials are now under way in Queensland, Australia, and the plant has shown  early promise in sheltered frost-free sites in northern New Zealand.

Ecology:

· Climate: This species is not tropical but prefers temperate regions. It also grows well in cool climates but do not tolerate frosts. Pouteria lucuma may die at temperatures less than 5º C.

· Humidity: An optimum yield requires high relative humidity.

· Rainfall: Pouteria lucuma is adapted to fairly dry locations. It tolerates seasonal rains rather than constant rainfall along the whole year. It is drought tolerant.

· Temperature: Pouteria lucuma requires a very specific temperature range for an optimum yield (a maximum of 25º C in the summer and no less than 5º C in winter).

· Soil: Pouteria lucuma grows well on sandy and stony soils but well drained. It tolerates mildly salty or calcareous soils although prefers deep alluvial soils with abundant organic matter.

· Soil pH: 6.1 to 7.5 (mildly acidic to neutral).

· Latitude: From the equator to 33º S, in Chile.

· Elevation: In Peru, Pouteria lucuma grows naturally in the Interandean valleys between 4 500 ft and 10 000 ft (1 500 m to 3 000 m). It is said to be difficult to cultivate in the lowlands; however, in Peru and Chile Pouteria lucuma grows at sea level.

· Sunlight: Pouteria lucuma requires full sun to partial shade.

· Harvest: The tree blooms and fruits all year regardless droughts. In Peru, Pouteria lucuma is harvested in the summer, from January to April; in Chile, in winter and spring.

Mature fruits fall to the ground but they are not edible until they have been kept on hand for several days. Peruvian Indians bury them in stored grain, cured hay, chaff, dry leaves or other materials until they become soft. One tree can produce as many as 500 fruits during a year. The average yield is 14 t to 16 t per hectare. In some cultivars, the fruits can weight 1 kg.

· Propagation: Pouteria lucuma can be propagated by seed. However, specialized grafting techniques to improve precocity are practiced by some nurseries in Peru and Chile.

4. Lucuma History

Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze is very common in the temperate highlands of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Northern Chile. Well known to the Incas, this fruit tree is a rare case of a species of ancient cultivation and little-known outside its homeland that has recently found a place in modern food processing. Its name comes from Quechuan lucma or rucma and was already cultivated by ancient Peruvians. This exotic Peruvian fruit was once known as ‘the gold of the Incas’.

Pouteria lucuma is native and cultivated in the highlands of Peru, where it is known to have been cultivated since ancient times, and western Chile and possibly southeastern Ecuador. It is grown also, to a limited extent, in the Andes of eastern Bolivia and the fruit is sold in the markets of La Paz. It has been considered one of the ‘lost crops of the Incas’.

Archaeologists have found Pouteria lucuma frequently depicted on ceramics at burial sites of the indigenous people of coastal Peru. It was first seen and reported by Europeans in Ecuador in 1531. This fruit is very popular in Peru.

In Peru, this fruit has been honored both spiritually and culinary since ancient times. Much as was done during ancient times, this fruit is rarely left out of contemporary celebrations and banquet settings as it has a truly unique and fragrant flavor to impart upon any creation. Now like the Ancient Incas the Indigenous Cultures and South Americans enjoy these brilliant little fruits on many occasions. Pouteria lucuma fruits are an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with ice creams, baby food, yogurts, pies, cakes, cookie fillings and desserts.

Effectively, Pouteria lucuma pulp is usually blended into other foods. Pouteria lucuma pulp is popular in drinks, puddings, pies, cookies, cakes, etc. Many people in the United States say that it tastes and smells like maple syrup. It is a frequent component of milk shakes, typically made with the fruit but without ice cream. This fruit contributes both color and flavor.

In Chile, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is most popular in the central region. In Ecuador it is less so. In 1776, it was reported as planted only in the warmest parts of northern Chile.

The fruit can be eaten fresh when ripe, but is generally consumed as a drink or a flavoring. In Peru and Chile Pouteria lucuma is a significant commercial crop (Lizana et al. 1986).

In 1912, there were a few trees growing in gardens around San José, Costa Rica where Pouteria lucuma was introduced by returning exiles in the first half of the 19th Century. Costa Ricans find that, though the flavor is appealing at first, one soon finds it repulsive because of the peculiar aftertaste.

In 1915, O.F. Cook collected seeds at Ollantaytambo, Peru, for the United States Department of Agriculture (S.P.I. #41332). In January of 1922, Wilson Popenoe introduced seeds from Santiago, Chile (S.P.I. #54653). There have been several attempts to grow the tree in southern Florida. It has not lived long. One specimen actually bore fruit at the Fairchild Tropical Garden, developed galls, and eventually succumbed.

Pouteria lucuma grows well in parts of Mexico and Hawaii but the fruit is not widely favored.

Currently, some fruits are being shipped from Chile to England where they are being used in making ice cream. Chile is also shipping Pouteria lucuma to Switzerland, where the fruit is used to flavor ice cream. A dehydrated, powdered product is being produced by a tomato cannery in Peru.

Traditionally, because of the limited supply of this fruit, its use has been associated with fine pastries and home style ice cream making only. However, since new commercial Pouteria lucuma varieties were developed, the period that enter in production shortened from 8 to 3 years, and high, stable yield capacity, commercial orchards were established. This has resulted in steady availability of consistent-quality fruit over the years, with the consequent market expansion. The assured availability of quality raw material has encouraged businesses to incorporate it into their products. In Chile, Pouteria lucuma is used by small and large-scale ice cream and jams makers, dairy product industry, and pastries.

Export markets could develop in the United States, Japan, and other rich societies looking for new flavors for dessert foods.

5. Lucuma Uses

Parts Used:

Fruit, wood.

· Fruit: The fruit is eaten fresh (raw) out-of-hand, when fully ripe. Its pulp can also be frozen or dried into flour. In Peru, the fruit is usually dehydrated and ground into a fine powder and used as an additive to milk and other foods.

Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze pulp outstandingly retains its nutty aroma, flavor, and texture throughout the different processes it undergoes when used in ice creams, cakes, desserts, etc.

The immature fruit contains a bitter white latex. When the fruits fall from the tree, they are still unripe. It has to be stored in hay or other dry material until soft.

An unusual advantage is that the fruit, when ripe, can be dried and milled into a mealy flour. The flour can be shipped long distances, stored for years in airtight containers and (in Peru, at least) is found in markets year-round. The dried, ground pulp is prepared in small factories in Peru and Chile.

· Wood: The wood is pale, compact, durable, and used for construction in Peru.

Properties:

Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze is used as:

• Anti-Malarial (Pouteria caimito)
• Baby Food
• Cakes
• Candies
• Cardiac (Pouteria sapota)
• Cookie-fillings
• Desserts
• Drinks
• Feed
• Flavoring
• Food
• Fresh Fruit (Raw)
• Ice Cream
• Jam
• Malaria (Pouteria caimito)
• Milk Additive
• Milkshake
• Pastry
• Pie-Filling
• Preserves
• Puddings
• Purée
• Syrup
• Timber
• Yogurt

Baby Food

Pouteria lucuma fruits are an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with baby food. They are also high in solids and a good source of carbohydrates and calories. Low in acid, this fruit is also a good source of minerals, particularly iron, as well as of vitamins, especially carotene (provitamin A) and niacin (vitamin B3).

Cakes

Pouteria lucuma fruits are an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with cakes and other desserts.

Candies

The pulp of Pouteria lucuma can also be used in order to make ‘lucuma candies’ (home-style and commercial ones).

Cardiac

In Mexican traditional medicine, Pouteria sapota, a closely related species, is used as a cardiac.

Cookie-fillings

Pouteria lucuma fruits are an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with cookie fillings and other desserts.

Desserts

Because of its delicious flavor, color, and aroma, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is intensively used in Peru for the elaboration of several kinds of desserts, especially ice cream.

Drinks

Pouteria lucuma pulp is very popular in drinks to which this fruit contributes both color and flavor.

Feed

Besides feeding people, in Peru, the fruits of Pouteria lucuma are said to make a good feed for chickens, promoting both growth and eggs with bright yellow yolks.

Flavoring

Because of its delicious flavor and aroma, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is intensively used in Peru as a flavor for the elaboration of several kinds of homemade and commercial desserts, especially ice cream.

Chile is shipping Pouteria lucuma to Switzerland, where the fruit is used to flavor ice cream. It is said that the flavor cannot be reproduced artificially.

Food

Besides being rich, satisfying, versatile and possessing a distinctive flavor, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is nutritious. Effectively, although it is enjoyed largely for its flavor, in some parts of Peru and Ecuador it plays a significant part in the basic diet of the poor.

One tree can produce as many as 500 fruits during a year; enough to feed whole families. Some Pouteria lucuma fruits can weight 1 kg and be very filling. And at times when field crops are out of season or stressed by drought, Pouteria lucuma, with its year round production and deep roots, literally becomes the tree of life.

Unlike most sweet fruits, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is high in solids and is a good source of carbohydrates and calories. Low in acid, this fruit is also a good source of minerals, particularly iron, as well as of vitamins, especially carotene (provitamin A) and niacin (vitamin B3).

Fresh Fruit (Raw)

This fruit does have some potential for fresh consumption, and there has been research conducted on the harvest indices and storage characteristics (Lizana et al. 1986). The Pouteria lucuma could fill the same niche in the tropical highlands as the canistel [Pouteria campechiana (Kunth) Baehni] does in the lowlands.

However, canistel has not been successful as a fresh fruit in the U.S. market to date. There is little reason to assume that the Pouteria lucuma would succeed as a fresh fruit when the canistel has failed. The greater potential for Pouteria lucuma is probably as a processed product, such as the powder used as an additive to milk.

Ice Cream

Because of its delicious flavor, color, and aroma, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is intensively used in Peru for the elaboration of ice cream. This ice cream is highly esteemed.

In Chile, Pouteria lucuma has become the most popular flavor within the Chilean ice cream industry. Food companies like Lever and Nestlé use this product in their production lines. Currently, some fruits are being shipped from Chile to England where they are being used in making ice cream.

Jam

Sweetened with sugar, the pulp of Pouteria lucuma is also commercialized as jams.

Malaria - Anti-Malarial

In Peru, Pouteria caimito, a closely related species, is traditionally used in order to treat malaria.

Milk Additive

Within Peru and Chile, the Pouteria lucuma fruits are usually dehydrated and ground into a fine powder and used as an additive to milk.

Milkshake

Pouteria lucuma is a frequent component of milk shakes, typically made with the fruit but without ice cream. This fruit contributes both color and flavor.

Pastry

Pouteria lucuma is used primarily in a variety of pastry applications such as cakes, puddings, etc. In Chile, Pouteria lucuma is present in every pastry shop and tearoom where it is used in several forms such as mousse, frozen cakes, parfait, bavarois, milkshakes, often mixed with milk or whipped cream.

Pie-Filling

Pouteria lucuma has been used as pie-filling. It is an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with pies and other desserts.

Preserves

Pouteria lucuma has been made into preserves. Unlike most sweet fruits, the fruit of Pouteria lucuma is high in solids and can be easily dried and milled into a mealy flour. The flour can be shipped long distances, stored for years in cans or airtight containers so that it can be found in markets year-round. The dried, ground pulp is prepared in small factories in Peru and Chile.

Puddings

Pouteria lucuma pulp is popular in puddings. This fruit contributes both color and flavor.

Purée

Pouteria lucuma is also commercialized as purées. Because of its color and unique flavor, it is marketed as is, without any artificial additive. The purée can be used to prepare any kind of desserts.

Syrup

Mixed with sugar, the pulp of Pouteria lucuma has been stewed in syrup. This syrup can be used as a filling for pies, cookies, etc.

Yogurt

Pouteria lucuma fruits are an extremely versatile and tasty ingredient which blends well with yogurts and other desserts.

Timber

The wood is pole, dense, compact, and durable. In Peru it is sometimes used for construction where available.

6. Lucuma Chemical Compounds

The sugars present in the pulp of Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze are glucose, fructose, sucrose, and inositol. In the green fruit only sucrose can be detected but as maturation takes place, the amount of glucose and fructose raises, and inositol can then be detected. The amount present in 100 g pulp of dry, mature fruit is as follows: glucose 8.4 g, fructose 4.7 g, sucrose 1.7 g, and inositol 0.06 g.

Low in acid, this fruit is an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins (especially beta-carotene or provitamin A, niacin or vitamin B3, and ascorbic acid or vitamin C) and also a good source of minerals (such as calcium, including remarkable concentrations of iron).

Chemical Composition

Nutritional Value of 100 g fresh pulp and flour.

 (after a Peruvian study)

Nutritional Chart

(According to a Chilean study)

Composition Values

• Water 62%
• Proteins 2.3%
• Carbohydrates 33.2%
• Lipids 0.2%
• Fibres 1.1%
• Energy 143.8 Kc/100g
• Ph 5
• Calcium 16 mg/100g
• Phosphorous 26 mg/100g
• Iron 0.4 mg/100g
• Thiamin (B1) 0.01 mg/100g
• Riboflavin (B2) 0.14 mg/100g
• Vitamin C 5.4 mg/100g
• Niacin 1.96 mg/100g

Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Pouteria campechiana BAEHNI (Sapotaceae) – Canistel, a closely related species.

Chemicals:

• ASCORBIC-ACID Fruit 400 - 1,475 ppm
• ASH Fruit 6,000 - 23,000 ppm
• BETA-CAROTENE Fruit 2 - 29 ppm
• CALCIUM Fruit 220 - 895 ppm
• CARBOHYDRATES Fruit 363,000 - 926,000 ppm
• FAT Fruit 4,000 - 20,000 ppm
• IRON Fruit 7 - 26 ppm
• KILOCALORIES Fruit 1,400 - 3,600 /kg
• LYSINE Fruit 840 - 2,130 ppm
• METHIONINE Fruit 130 - 330 ppm
• NIACIN Fruit 4 - 94 ppm
• PHOSPHORUS Fruit 300 - 1,040 ppm
• PROTEIN Fruit 13,000 - 58,000 ppm
• RIBOFLAVIN Fruit 0.9 ppm;
• THIAMIN Fruit 0.2 - 4.5 ppm
• TRYPTOPHAN Fruit 280 - 710 ppm
• WATER Fruit 572,000 - 606,000 ppm

----------------------------------------------

ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

 

Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Pouteria torta (Sapotaceae), a closely related species

Chemicals

1. BETULINIC-ACID Twig 15 ppm

----------------------------------------------

ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

 

Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Pouteria viridis CRONG. (Sapotaceae) -- Green Sapote, Sapote Verde, a closely related species.

Chemicals

• ASCORBIC-ACID Fruit 430 - 1,360 ppm
• ASH Fruit 12,000 - 37,975 ppm
• BETA-CAROTENE Fruit 0.5 - 1.6 ppm
• CALCIUM Fruit 230 - 730 ppm
• CARBOHYDRATES Fruit 286,000 - 905,065 ppm
• FAT Fruit 2,000 - 6,330 ppm
• FIBER Fruit 18,000 - 56,960 ppm
• IRON Fruit 7 - 22 ppm
• KILOCALORIES Fruit 1,100 - 3,480 /kg
• NIACIN Fruit 19 - 60 ppm
• PHOSPHORUS Fruit 280 - 885 ppm
• PROTEIN Fruit 16,000 - 50,635 ppm
• RIBOFLAVIN Fruit 0.3 - 0.9 ppm
• THIAMIN Fruit 0.1 - 0.3 ppm
• WATER Fruit 684,000 ppm;

----------------------------------------------

ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

 

Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Pouteria caimito RADLK. (Sapotaceae) -- Abiu, Caimito, a closely related species

Chemicals

• ASCORBIC-ACID Fruit 490 - 1,890 ppm
• ASH Fruit 7,000 - 27,070 ppm
• BETA-CAROTENE Fruit 2 - 29 ppm
• CALCIUM Fruit 220 - 3,700 ppm
• CARBOHYDRATES Fruit 363,000 - 926,000 ppm
• FAT Fruit 4,000 - 42,470 ppm
• FIBER Fruit 9,000 - 175,000 ppm
• IRON Fruit 10 - 70 ppm
• KILOCALORIES Fruit 950 - 3,665 /kg
• LYSINE Fruit 3,160 ppm;
• METHIONINE Fruit 1,780 ppm;
• NIACIN Fruit 34 - 130 ppm
• PHOSPHORUS Fruit 410 - 1,740 ppm
• PROTEIN Fruit 13,000 - 81,080 ppm
• RIBOFLAVIN Fruit 0.2 - 7.7 ppm
• THIAMIN Fruit 0.2 - 7.7 ppm
• THREONINE Fruit 2,190 ppm;
• TRYPTOPHAN Fruit 570 ppm;
• WATER Fruit 606,000 - 741,000 ppm

----------------------------------------------

ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

 

Chemicals and their Biological Activities

ASCORBIC-ACID Biological activities:

• Acidulant FEMA 6,000
• Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor
• Analgesic 5-10 g/day
• Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker
• AntiAGE 2,000 mg/day
• Antiaggregant
• Antiaging 400 mg/day
• Antiarthritic 1 g/day
• Antiasthmatic 1,000 mg/day
• Antiatherosclerotic
• Antibacterial
• Anticataract 350 mg/day 400 mg/day
• Anticold 1-2 g/man/day
• AntiCrohn's 50-100 mg/day/orl/man
• Antidecubitic 500 mg/man/2x/day
• Antidepressant 2,000 mg/day
• Antidiabetic
• Antidote (Aluminum)
• Antidote (Cadmium)
• Antidote (Lead)
• Antidote (Paraquat)
• Antieczemic 3.5-5 g/day
• Antiedemic 1 g/man/day
• Antiencephalitic
• Antigingivitic
• Antiglaucomic 2 g/day
• Antihemorrhagic 1 g/man/day
• Antihepatitic 2-6 g/man/day
• Antihepatotoxic
• Antiherpetic 1-5 g/day
• Antihistaminic 2 g/day orl man
• Antihypertensive
• Antiinfertility 1 g/day
• Antiinflammatory
• Antilepric 1.5 g/man/day
• Antimeasles
• Antimigraine
• Antimutagenic
• Antinitrosic 1 g/man/day
• Antiobesity 1 g 3 x/day
• Antiorchitic
• Antiosteoarthritic 1 g 2 x/day
• Antiosteoporotic 500 mg/day
• Antioxidant 100 ppm
• Antiparkinsonian 1 g 2 x/day
• Antiparotitic
• Antiperiodontitic
• Antipneumonic
• Antipodriac
• Antipoliomyelitic
• Antipyretic
• Antiradicular
• Antiscorbutic 10 mg/man/day
• Antiseptic 4-8 g/day MIC=3.3-217 mg/ml
• Antishingles
• Antisyndrome-X 1-4 g/day
• Antitumor (Lung)
• Antiulcer
• Antiviral 1-5 g/day
• Apoptotic 1-10 mM
• Asthma-preventive 1,000 mg/day/orl
• Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blocker
• Beta-Glucuronidase-Inhibitor 1.5 g/day/man
• Calcium-Antagonist
• Cancer-Preventive
• Cold-preventive 1-2 g/day
• Collagenic
• Detoxicant
• Diuretic 700 mg/man/orl
• Fistula-Preventive
• Hypocholesterolemic 300-1,000 mg/day
• Hypoglycemic
• Hypotensive 1,000 mg/man/day
• Immunostimulant
• Interferonogenic
• Lithogenic
• Mucolytic 1 g/woman/day
• Pesticide
• Uricosuric 4 g/man/day
• Urinary-Acidulant
• Vasodilator
• Vulnerary

ASH Biological activities:

• No activity reported.

BETA-CAROTENE Biological activities:

• Allergenic
• Androgenic?
• Antiacne
• Antiaging
• Antiasthmatic
• Anticancer
• Anticarcinomic
• Anticoronary 50 mg/man/2 days
• Antihyperkeratotic
• Antiichythyotic
• Antileukoplakic
• Antilupus 150 mg/man/day/2 mos
• Antimastitic
• Antimutagenic
• Antioxidant
• Antiozenic
• Antiphotophobic 30-300 mg/man/day
• Antipityriasic
• AntiPMS
• Antiporphyric
• Antiproliferant
• Antipsoriac
• Antiradicular
• Antistress
• Antitumor
• Antiulcer 12 mg 3x/day/man/orl
• Antixerophthalmic
• Cancer-Preventive 22 ppm
• Colorant
• Immunostimulant 180 mg/man/day/orl
• Interferon-Synergist
• Mucogenic
• Phagocytotic
• Prooxidant 20 ug/g
• Thymoprotective
• Ubiquiot

BETULINIC-ACID Biological activities:

• Anthelmintic
• Antibacterial
• Anticancer
• Anticarcinomic
• Antiedemic
• AntiHIV 14.8 uM EC50=2.0 ug/ml IC50=6.5 ug/ml
• Antiinflammatory
• Antileukemic
• Antimalarial IC50=19-26 ug/ml
• Antimelanomic
• Antinociceptive
• Antiplasmodial
• Antitumor
• Antiviral 14.8 uM
• Apoptotic
• Cytotoxic 16.4 uM 50-100 ppm
• Phospholipase-A2-Inhibitor
• Prostaglandin-Synthesis-Inhibitor 200 ug/ml IC50=101 uM

CALCIUM Biological activities:

• Antiallergic 500 mg/day
• Antianxiety
• Antiatherosclerotic
• Antidepressant
• Antidote (Aluminum)
• Antidote (Lead)
• Antihyperkinetic
• Antihypertensive
• Antiinsomniac
• Antiosteoporotic
• Antiperiodontitic 750 mg/day
• AntiPMS 1 g/day
• Antitic
• Calcium-Channel-Blocker
• Diuretic
• Hypocholesterolemic 500 mg/day
• Hypotensive 1 g/day
• Vasodilator

CARBOHYDRATES Biological activities:

• No activity reported.

FAT Biological activities:

• No activity reported.

FIBER Biological activities:

• Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker
• Antidiabetic
• Antihypertensive
• Antiobesity
• Antitumor
• Antiulcer
• Beta-Blocker
• Cancer-Preventive
• Cardioprotective
• Diuretic
• Hypocholesterolemic
• Hypotensive 10 g/man/day/orl
• Hypouricemic
• Laxative
• Vasodilator

IRON Biological activities:

• Antiakathisic
• Antianemic
• Anticheilitic
• Antimenorrhagic 100 mg/day/wmn/orl

LYSINE Biological activities:

• Antialkalotic
• Antiherpetic 0.5-3 g/day
• Essential
• Hypoarginanemic 250 mg/kg

METHIONINE Biological activities:

• Anticataract
• Antidote (Acetaminophen) 10 g/16hr/man/orl
• Antidote (Paracetamol)
• Antieczemic
• Antihepatotic
• Antioxidant
• Antiparkinsonian 1-5 g/day
• Cancer-Preventive
• Emetic
• Essential
• Glutathionigenic
• Hepatoprotective
• Lipotropic
• Urine-Acidifier 200 mg/3x/day/man/orl
• Urine-Deodorant

NIACIN Biological activities:

• Allergenic
• Antiacrodynic
• Antiallergic 50 mg/2x/day
• Antiamblyopic
• Antianginal
• Antichilblain
• Anticonvulsant 3 g/day
• Antidermatitic
• Antidysphagic
• Antiepileptic
• Antihistaminic 50 mg/2x/day
• Antihyperactivity 1.5-6 g/day
• Antiinsomnic 1 g/day
• AntiMeniere's
• Antineuralgic
• Antiparkinsonian 100 mg/day
• Antipellagric
• Antiscotomic
• Antispasmodic 100 mg/2x/day
• Antivertigo
• Cancer-Preventive
• Hepatoprotective
• Hypoglycemic
• Hypolipidemic
• Sedative
• Serotoninergic
• Vasodilator

PHOSPHORUS Biological activities:

• Antiosteoporotic
• Immunostimulant
• Osteogenic

PROTEIN Biological activities:

• No activity reported.

RIBOFLAVIN Biological activities:

• Antiarabiflavinotic 2-10 mg orl/day
• Anticarpal-Tunnel 50 mg/day
• Anticataract 15 mg/day
• Anticheilitic
• Antidecubitic
• Antiglossitic
• Antikeratitic
• Antimigraine
• Antipellagric
• Antiphotophobic
• Cancer-Preventive

THIAMIN Biological activities:

• Analgesic 1-4 g/day
• Antialcoholic
• Antialzheimeran 100-3,000 mg/day
• Antianorectic
• Antibackache 1-4 g/day
• Antiberiberi
• Anticardiospasmic
• Anticolitic
• Antidecubitic
• Antideliriant
• Antiencephalopathic
• Antifatigue
• Antigastritic
• Antiheartburn
• Antiherpetic
• Antimigraine
• Antimyocarditic
• Antineuralgic
• Antineurasthenic
• Antineuritic
• Antineuropathic 50 mg
• Antipoliomyelitic
• Insectifuge 75-150 mg/man/day
• Pesticide

THREONINE Biological activities:

• Antioxidant?
• Antiulcer
• Essential
• Flavor FEMA 1,000

TRYPTOPHAN Biological activities:

• Analgesic 750 mg/4x/day/orl/man
• Antianxiety 500-1,000 mg/meal
• Antidementia 3 g/day
• Antidepressant 1-3 g/3x/day/orl/man
• Antidyskinetic 2-8 g/orl/wmn/day
• Antihypertensive
• Antiinsomniac 1-3 g/day
• Antimanic 12 g/man/day/orl
• Antimenopausal 6 g/day
• Antimigraine 500 mg/man/4x/day
• Antioxidant 125 ug/ml
• Antiparkinsonian 2 g 3 x/day
• Antiphenylketonuric
• Antiprostaglandin 250 pg/ml
• Antipsychotic 12 g/man/day
• Antirheumatic
• Antiscoliotic
• Carcinogenic
• Essential
• Hypnotic
• Hypoglycemic
• Hypotensive 3 g/day
• Insulinase-Inhibitor
• Insulinotonic
• Monoamine-Precursor
• Prolactinogenic
• Sedative 3-10 g/man/day
• Serotoninergic 6-12 g/day/orl/man
• Tumor-Promoter

7. Lucuma Dosage and Contraindications

Doses:

• This fruit can be eaten out-of-hand.

Contraindications:

• None reported.

Drug Interactions:

• Pouteria lucuma (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze is not considered a drug.

Precautions:

• None.

Toxicity

• Pouteria lucuma is nontoxic.

8. Lucuma Bibliography and References

1. Guallarauco Web Site. Agro-industrial product processing, packing and marketing company. Colina, Santiago, Chile. www.guallarauco.cl
2. Ministerio de Agricultura del Perú. Portal Agrario; Recursos Naturales, Recurso Forestal: Lúcuma. www.minag.gob.pe/rrnn_lucuma.shtml Accessed Jule, 24th 2005.
3. Morton, J. 1987. Lucmo. p. 405–406. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.
4. Office of International Affairs Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation (1989) p. 263-264.
5. Phytochemical Database, USDA - ARS - NGRL, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland.
6. Towle, M. A. 1961. The ethnobotany of precolumbian Peru. Aldine Publishing Company. Chicago.
7. TROPICOS Web Site: mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html