Litchi (Litchi chinenis) seed: Nutritional profile, bioactivities, and its industrial applications

Background: Litchi fruit, belongs to Sapindaceae family, is commercially grown for its sweet, juicy, and nutritional arils in tropical to subtropical parts of the world. During the processing of litchi fruit into beverages, jellies, wine, and squash; litchi seeds, are get rid of as waste. Seeds are a remarkably rich source of phytochemicals (flavonoids), polysaccharides (starch), oil (high unsaturated fatty acids), and proteins (bioactive peptides). Scope and approach: This review article firstly narrates the nutritional composition of the litchi seed which includes its phenolic compounds, bioactive and starchy polysaccharides (40.7%), proteins (4.93%), oil content (3.2%), and minerals. The review also unfolds bioactivities (anticancer, neuro-protective, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-microbial, hepato-protective, lipid lowering) of the litchi seed extract (LSE). In addition, review also highlighted the safety and regulatory issues for consumption of litchi seeds as food ingredient. This comprehensive systematic review also gives insights into developing litchi seed as a potential and novel ingredient for its versatile food and non-food applications along with the latest researches conducted worldwide. Key findings and conclusions: The extracts obtained from the litchi seed can act as a premium source of starch for application in foods. The bioactive properties recommend the use of bioactive components in the development of innovative food and pharma products. Utilization of these components can improve the economic feasibility of litchi processing industry and it will also help in preventing the environmental pollution caused by the litchi seeds.

Automated summary

The review discusses the nutritional composition and bioactivities of litchi seeds, highlighting their potential as a novel ingredient for various food and non-food applications. Extracts from litchi seeds can be used as a premium source of starch in foods, while their bioactive properties recommend their utilization in the development of innovative food and pharmaceutical products. This could improve the economic feasibility of the litchi processing industry and help prevent environmental pollution caused by litchi seeds.