Insight on Synsepalum dulcificum: A Bioactive Compound on Taste Modification and Its Biological Properties

Abstract

The miracle fruit plant or miracle berry plant (Synsepalum dulcificum or Richadelladulcifica) is a unique medicinal plant with characteristics of taste-modifying function due to the presence of the glycoprotein miraculin. It also has high antioxidant effect. Alkaloids, vitamins, vegetable oil, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and amino acids are among the biologically active components found in the fruit. This fruit is not much known in all places of the world, so it will be used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Pharmacological medicine has proven that not only the fruit but also the other parts of the plant are helpful, based on their phytochemical properties. This fruit can be used in the baking food items, drinks, cosmetics, medicines, and coloring agents. In this article, we (authors) intend to describe on cultivation, phytochemistry, mechanism of action, extraction, purification, and preservation of fruit, as well as its nutritional and pharmacological benefits, applications in numerous fields, limitations, and future prospects. It is hard to believe that this berry is still unexplored for its use in medical area.