Composition and functional properties of fig (Ficus carica) phenolics

Abstract

Fig fruit has an important role in human health due to its rich composition of such bioactive components as phenolics, phytosterols, organic acids, and hydrocarbons. The fruit could either be consumed in fresh or dried form, and the composition of these nutrients may vary on such factors as the fruit form, variety, and growing location of the fruit. In addition to the fruit part, other plant parts such as leaves and latex also include significant amounts of phytochemicals. From all these aspects, the importance of fig fruit has been well-understood recently, and studies have been conducted on the extraction of such phytochemicals from the figs. The fig phytochemicals have been reported to have such health-promoting attributes as antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. This chapter will discuss the composition and functional properties of fig phenolics, the use of different extraction methods in extracting such phenolics, and the health-promoting effects of these components.