Byrsonima crassifolia L. Kunth a bio-resource with potential: Overview and opportunities

ABSTRACT Byrsonima crassifolia L. Kunth is a plant native to the Americas that grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Fresh B. crassifolia fruits are a good source of ascorbic acid and carotenoids and contain volatile compounds such as butyric and caproic acids. Although B. crassifolia is commonly exploited from wild natural ecosystems, it exhibits the potential to become a crop plant. When optimal agronomic management systems support propagation by seed, fruits with more homogeneous characteristics can be produced compared to those obtained from wild or backyard plants. B. crassifolia fruits can be found in local markets in Central and South America. The pulp, peel, and other B. crassifolia fruit components can be processed to make traditional and innovative food products, namely candies, cookies, cakes, candied fruits, ice creams, sorbets, jellies, juices, liqueurs, jams, nectars, pickles, and fruit drinks as an alternative to avoid the waste of overripe fruits. Additionally, the woody fraction of the B. crassifolia tree is used as a source of firewood, as shade, and for constructing living fences. These uses also allow the maximum use of biomass by establishing support for cultivation with the circular economy and strengthening food security. Therefore, this review aims to provide insights into the generation and dissemination of knowledge supporting the development of strategies in the areas of agronomy, postharvest management, and technological processing of B. crassifolia to promote its sustainable use and exploitation.