Surreal illustration of feijoa fruit with glowing molecular structures representing bioactive compounds.

Feijoa's Secret: Unlocking Health Benefits with Cultured Fruit Pulp

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists discover new triterpenic acids in Acca sellowiana (Feijoa) callus cultures, paving the way for enhanced nutraceutical applications."

Fruits and vegetables are wellsprings of health, packed with compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, and triterpenic acids known for their protective qualities. Triterpenic acids, in particular, have been linked to benefits ranging from cardiovascular protection to cancer prevention. This makes understanding how to maximize these compounds an exciting area of research.

Acca sellowiana, also known as feijoa or pineapple guava, is a subtropical fruit gaining recognition for its nutritional value and potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. While previous studies have explored feijoa's essential oils and extracts, a recent study takes a novel approach: investigating the bioactive compounds produced by in vitro callus cultures derived from feijoa fruit pulp.

This article delves into the innovative research focused on optimizing callus cultures from feijoa pulp to unlock the production of unique and beneficial triterpenic acids. It explores the methods, findings, and potential implications of this research for health and wellness.

Cultured Calluses: A New Frontier in Bioactive Compound Production

Surreal illustration of feijoa fruit with glowing molecular structures representing bioactive compounds.

Traditional methods of extracting beneficial compounds from plants often rely on the plant's natural production, which can be influenced by environmental factors and growth stages. In vitro callus culture offers a controlled environment to stimulate the production of specific secondary metabolites, like triterpenic acids.

The researchers initiated callus cultures from feijoa fruit pulp using Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg B5 media, supplemented with various combinations of growth regulators. The most effective combination for biomass production was B5 medium with 0.89 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 10.7 µM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).

MS Medium: Supports callus formation but less effective for biomass.
B5 Medium with BA & NAA: Optimal for callus biomass production.
BA Alone: Ineffective in inducing callus formation.
NAA Alone: Callus growth unsustainable after subculture.

This optimized method allowed them to identify and isolate several secondary metabolites, including three previously undescribed ursane-type triterpenoids. Advanced analytical techniques like 1D and 2D NMR, ESI-MS, and GC-MS were used to characterize these compounds, revealing their unique structures.

Implications and Future Directions

The discovery of novel triterpenic acids in feijoa callus cultures opens exciting possibilities for nutraceutical applications. These unique compounds, along with other identified metabolites like β-sitosterol and phloridzin, contribute to the potential health benefits of feijoa.

One of the most significant findings is that the in vitro production of triterpenic acids in feijoa pulp was significantly higher than in the fruit itself. This highlights the potential of callus culture as a method to enhance the production of valuable bioactive compounds.

Further research is needed to explore the specific biological activities of the newly identified triterpenic acids and to optimize the callus culture conditions for even greater yields. These advancements could pave the way for the development of feijoa-based nutraceuticals with enhanced health-promoting properties.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.10.037, Alternate LINK

Title: New Triterpenic Acids Produced In Callus Culture From Fruit Pulp Of Acca Sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret

Subject: Food Science

Journal: Food Research International

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Giancarlo Verardo, Andrea Gorassini, Daniele Fraternale

Published: 2019-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

What was the focus of the research on feijoa fruit pulp mentioned, and what methods were used?

The research focused on optimizing callus cultures derived from feijoa pulp to enhance the production of triterpenic acids. Callus cultures provide a controlled environment, unlike traditional methods which depend on environmental factors. By using Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg B5 media, supplemented with growth regulators like 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), scientists can stimulate the production of these beneficial secondary metabolites.

What unique compounds were identified in the feijoa callus cultures, and how were they characterized?

The study identified three previously undescribed ursane-type triterpenoids within feijoa callus cultures, alongside compounds like β-sitosterol and phloridzin. These compounds were characterized using advanced analytical techniques such as 1D and 2D NMR, ESI-MS, and GC-MS. The unique structures of these novel triterpenic acids open new avenues for research into their specific health benefits and potential applications.

How does using in vitro callus culture compare to traditional methods of extracting beneficial compounds from plants, and what are the advantages?

Traditional methods rely on the plant's natural production of compounds, which varies due to environmental factors and growth stages. In vitro callus culture offers a controlled environment to boost the production of specific secondary metabolites, such as triterpenic acids. This method provides consistency and allows for the optimization of conditions to maximize yield and discover new compounds, which may not be present or abundant in traditionally grown plants.

What specific combinations of media and growth regulators were most effective for biomass production in feijoa fruit pulp callus cultures?

The most effective combination for callus biomass production in feijoa fruit pulp was achieved using B5 medium supplemented with 0.89 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 10.7 µM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). While MS Medium supports callus formation, it's less effective for biomass. BA alone was ineffective, and NAA alone resulted in unsustainable callus growth after subculture.

What are the potential health implications of discovering novel triterpenic acids in feijoa callus cultures, and what other compounds contribute to these benefits?

Triterpenic acids are linked to various health benefits, including cardiovascular protection and cancer prevention. The discovery of novel triterpenic acids in feijoa callus cultures expands the possibilities for nutraceutical applications. β-sitosterol and phloridzin, also found in the cultures, contribute to the overall potential health benefits. Further research could explore specific health effects, optimal dosages, and potential applications in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.