An appraisal of the nutritional properties, therapeutic value, and novel implications of the under-utilized plant, Parkia speciosa

Abstract

Parkia speciosa (PS), a tropical plant widely cultivated for its edible beans, has emerged to be a new growing branch in nutritional, pharmaceutical, environmental engineering and medical science development. In vivo, in vitro and clinical studies have suggested the beneficial impacts of PS for a variety of applications. Confirming the assertion, this paper presents a state of the art review of PS, its fundamental characteristics, and its nutritional and bioactive compounds. A descriptive elaboration of the anti-oxidative and anti-mutagenic properties, anti-angiogenic and antibiotic activities, and hypoglycemic and mitogenic behaviors of PS extracts is performed. The key advances of its novel utilization in the food processing industry and adsorption chemistry are briefly elucidated.