Bioactive compounds from Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Lour. Spreng)

Cucurbits (gourds and cucumbers) are one of the most economically important plant families for food consumption globally. One specific representative, Momordica cochinchinensis, is geographically restricted to tropical Asia and contains the highest levels of carotenoids of all the known fruits and vegetables and relatively underutilized, with only the aril from the fruit used in private homesteads as well as in foods and beverages. This chapter highlights the bioactive compounds from the fruit ranging from small phytochemicals to larger proteins with diverse functions for improved health. The potentials and recommendations for future development in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry are discussed.