Nutritional compositions, health promoting phytochemicals and value added products of bitter gourd: a review

In many Asian countries Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) has been used as food and medicine from ancient times. Bitter gourd has huge positive health benefits due to present ample of phytochemicals and proteins. Bitter gourd leaf, stem and seed also contain various health promoting antioxidants such as gallic acid, caffeic acid and catechin. In the present review, physicochemical properties, nutritional values and health promoting phytochemicals as well as value added products of Bitter gourd are discussed. Subsequently, this review also would be helpful for food producers and consumers to get current knowledge about Bitter gourd for their application and industrialization. (C) All Rights Reserved