Envoy at 05:04, 30 September 2007

2007-09-30T05:04:29Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Soursop
| image = Soursop_fruit.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Soursop fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Magnoliales]]
| familia = [[Annonaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Annona]]''
| species = '''''A. muricata'''''
| binomial = ''Annona muricata''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

The '''Soursop''', '''Soursap''', '''Guanábana''', '''Graviola''', '''Zuurzak''', '''Coração-da-Índia''', '''Guyabano''' or '''Corossol''' (''Annona muricata''; [[syn.]] ''Annona sericea'' Dunal <Small>in Correia, M. P., (1984)</Small>, ''Annona macrocarpa'' Wercklé, ''A. bonplandiana'' H.B. & K., ''A. cearensis'' [[Barb.Rodr.]], ''Guanabanus muricatus'' (L.) M.Gómez <Small>in Rain-tree</Small>) is a broadleaf flowering [[evergreen]] [[tree]] native to the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], from [[Brazil]] north to the [[West Indies]]. It is also commonly grown in South-East Asia, where it is known by names such as '''Sirsak''' ([[Bahasa Indonesia|Indonesian]], from Dutch ''zuurzak''), '''Baahlsakk''' ([[Swedish]]) and '''Durian Belanda''' ([[Malay language|Malay]], lit. "[[Dutch language|Dutch]] [[durian]]"). It is in the same genus as the [[cherimoya]] and the same family as the [[pawpaw]].

The Soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters, temperatures below 5 °C will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 °C can be fatal.

Comparisons of its flavor range from [[strawberry]] and [[pineapple]] mixed together to sour [[citrus]] flavour notes contrasting with an underlying creamy roundness of flavour reminiscent of [[coconut]] or [[banana]]. The fruit is somewhat difficult to eat, as the white interior pulp is studded with many large seeds, and pockets of soft flesh are bounded by fibrous membranes. The soursop is therefore usually juiced rather than eaten directly.

==Cultivation and uses==
The plant is grown as a commercial [[agriculture|crop]] for its 20-30 cm long prickly green [[fruit]], which can have a mass of up to 2.5 kg.

Away from its native area, there is some limited production as far north as southern [[Florida]] within USDA zone 10; however these are mostly garden plantings for local consumption. It is also grown in parts of southeastern [[Asia]]. The Soursop will reportedly fruit as a container specimen, even in temperate climates if protected from cool temperatures.

The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible white pulp and a core of undigestible black seeds. The species is the only member of genus ''[[Annona]]'' which is suitable for processing and preservation. The sweet pulp is used to make juice as well as candies, sorbets and ice cream flavorings.

Nutritionally, the fruit is high in [[carbohydrates]], particularly [[fructose]]. The fruit also contains significant amounts of [[vitamin C]], [[vitamin B1]], and [[vitamin B2]]. The fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses among indigenous peoples of regions where the plant is common.

In the Caribbean it is believed that laying the leaves of the soursop on a bed below a sleeping person with a fever will break the fever by the next morning. Also, boiling the leaves and drinking as a tea helps induce sleep <ref name="sleep">{{cite web
| title = Tropical Plant Database:GRAVIOLA (Annona muricata)
| publisher =Raintree Nutrition
| url =http://www.rain-tree.com/graviola.htm
| accessdate = 13th December 2006}}</ref>
.

The tea, fruit, and juice are used medicinally to treat illness ranging from stomach ailments to worms.

==Health risks==
Research carried out in the Caribbean has established a connection between consumption of soursop and atypical forms of [[Parkinson's disease]] due to the very high concentration of [[Annonacin]].<ref name="health_parkinsons1">{{cite journal
| last =Lannuzel
| first =A
| coauthors = et al.
| title =The mitochondrial complex i inhibitor annonacin is toxic to mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons by impairment of energy metabolism
| journal =Neuroscience
| volume =121
| issue =2
| pages =287-296
| publisher =International Brain Research Organization
| date =6th October 2003
| accessdate =13th December 2006 }}</ref>

==External links==
* {{pt icon}} [[Manuel Pio Correia|Correia, M. P.]], (1984) ''Dicionário das plantas úteis do Brasil''
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/soursop.html Description of soursop] from ''Fruits of Warm Climates'' ([[1987 in literature|1987]], ISBN 0-9610184-1-0)
*[http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Annona.html Sorting Annona names]
*[http://herbal-medicine.philsite.net/guyabano.htm Soursop / Guyabano Fruit Nutrition]
*[http://www.rain-tree.com/Graviola-Monograph.pdf Rain-tree: ''Annona muricata'']
==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
* [[Cherimoya]]
* [[Custard-apple]]
* [[Sugar-apple]]

[[Category:Magnoliales]]
[[Category:Flora of Brazil]]
[[Category:Fruit]]

Soursop - Revision history

Envoy at 05:04, 30 September 2007