West Indian grapefruit triggers interest in Ooty

OOTY: Season of 'Grapefruit' in Nilgiris, not grapes, a rare citrus fruit of West Indies origin has triggered interest among pomologists as research is underway here to find out its 'obesity control' effect.

While different varieties of grapes is a much sought after fruit in India, seldom people know about 'Grapefruit', which has no connection with the creeper-hanging grapes, but it belongs to citrus fruit family. It is as much known for its rarity as for its uniqueness.

Stating that only less than half-a-dozen 'Grapefruit' trees are there in Nilgiris,- that too they are confined to Coonoor and Burliar slopes-, Dr S.Rajan, a famed plant taxonomy expert and field botanist at the Central Ayush wing here, said that this fruit was always confused with that of 'pumelo' for its shape and colour.

"Grapefruit is of West Indies origin and it traveled its way to Nilgiris in the past.  The agro-climatic conditions in the Coonoor-Burliar belt support its growth in the hills.  The fruiting season of 'Grapefruit' has just begun in the couple of trees in the Attadi area in Coonoor.  The fruits grow in clusters like that of grapes, and, this has given it the name 'Grapefruit' though it belongs to Citrus fruit family.  It is rich in vitamin A and C, potassium and calcium and also rich in 'lycopene', a cancer preventive 'phytonutrient', which is also known for its cardio-protective role. This fruit is also known for its good skin protective nature and its role in lowering blood cholesterol.  The ripe fruit is sweet and sour in taste," explained Dr. Rajan in some length to DC.

Meanwhile, R. Logesh, a research scholar at JSS College of Pharmacy here, said that 'Grapefruit' is known for its obesity control property. He said that he is working on to extract the components in the 'Grapefruit' to find out the compound in it which is responsible for the obesity control property to further proceed research from that stage.