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Carica papaya

Summary

In India, papaya is predominantly grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. India is the largest producer of papaya in the world with 6 million tonnes in 2020. It is harvested between August and November. Papaya belongs to Caricaceae family and it contains alkaloids, Carotenoids, phenolics and flavonoids. Lycopene, quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C are some of the most important bioactive chemicals. Lycopene has been shown to have anti-oxidant action by scavenging free radicals, as well as anticarcinogenic activity by regulating the cell cycle and suppressing aberrant cell development. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory properties via suppressing IL-6 and IL-8. Vitamin C scavenges ROS generated by cellular metabolism.

Mode of Consumption: The ripe fruit is consumed raw and the unripe matured fruit is consumed as a vegetable by cooking to prepare in varieties of recipes.
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Carica papaya L.
Family: Caricaceae Dumort.
Class: Mangoliopsida
Order: Brassicales
Genus: Carica L.
Fruiting Season: August-November
Fruting Condition: Ripe
  • North-Western Mountain Region
  • Southern plateau and Hills Region & West Coast Plains and Ghat Region
  • West Coast Plains and Ghat Region & East Coast Plains and Hills Region

 Himachal Pradesh : Papita, Papita
Karnataka : Papayi, Papayi
Tamil Nadu : Pappāḷi, Pappāḷi

Unripe fruit hanging from the tree.


Ripe Papaya cut into halves.
Compound/Chemical Immunomodulatory Activity Pathway Immunomodulatory Marker
Vitamin C, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, QuercetinAnti-inflammatory activityEnhance Proliferation of T lymphocytes & increase the synthesis of IgG & cytokinin production.Cytokines[1]
Vitamin A, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, QuercetinAnti-inflammatory activityEnhance white blood function, enhance resistance to infection and maintain skin and mucous membrane defences.NA[1]
LycopeneAntioxidant activityFree radical scavengerNA[2]
Vitamin A, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, QuercetinAntioxidant activityNeutralise the harmful effects of free radicals.NA[1]
Vitamin C, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, QuercetinAntioxidant activityScavanges ROS produces due to cellular metabolism. NA[1]
QuercetinAntioxidant activitySuppress IL-6 & IL-8 IL-6 & IL-8[1]
Major Class Metabolites
CarotenoidLycopene(Pulp)
Cysteine proteasePapain(Pulp)
FlavonoidQuercetin(Pulp), Kaempherol(Pulp)
Organic compoundsCholine(Pulp)
VitaminsVitamin A(Pulp), Vitamin C(Pulp)
Traditional Practice Diseases Plant Part Additional Knowledge
LeavesDengue fever treatment with Carica papaya leaves extracts[3]
CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India