Jackfruit seed: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects By Dr. Rajeev Singh 

Introduction:

Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit that gained popularity due to its sweet, fleshy and energy-rich pulp. The exterior of jackfruit is hard green or yellow initially and turns to yellowish brown after ripening. The inner edible flesh of the jackfruit consists of nutritious pulp coated around the seed, formed by the fusion of flowers. Jackfruit is a non-seasonal fruit that grows on evergreen trees in tropical areas. The biological name of the jackfruit tree is Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam, belonging to the family Moraceae. It is cultivated in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and various parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and America. Jackfruit grows abundantly in India and is native to the Western Ghats of India.^1,2 

Apart from the flesh, jackfruit seeds are also edible and are used in cooked dishes. The jackfruit seeds with a thin brown seed coat, known as spermoderm, are enclosed in a white layer. The brown spermoderm consists of white cotyledon rich in protein and starch. Jackfruit seed has a lot of potential benefits, especially in the cosmetics, paper, pharmaceutical and bio-nanotechnology industries.² 

Nutritional Value of Jackfruit Seed:

The nutrient value of jackfruit seed is as under: 

• Water: 64.5 g
• Carbohydrate: 38.4 g
• Protein: 7.04 g
• Fibre (total dietary): 1.5 g
• Fat: 0.43 g
• Iron: 1.5 mg
• Potassium: 216 mg
• Phosphorus: 97 mg
• Sodium: 63.2 mg
• Magnesium: 54 mg
• Calcium: 50 mg
• Vitamin C: 11 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.3mg
• Thiamine: 0.25 mg
• Vitamin A: 17 IU

Properties of Jackfruit Seed:

• It may help in relieving the gastric distress caused by the liver or gall bladder (referred to as Biliousness during the 18th and 19th centuries). 
• The extract of jackfruit seeds may help in relieving watery stool with blood and mucus caused by intestinal infections. 
• The roasted jackfruit seeds may be regarded as an aphrodisiac. 
• It may be able to decrease blood glucose levels. 
• It might help in relieving the pain and weakening of bones. 
• It may help in decreasing the occurrence of infections caused by microorganisms.^1–4 

Potential Uses of Jackfruit Seed for Overall Health:

The potential health benefits of jackfruit seed are: 

Potential Uses of Jackfruit Seed for Strengthening Bones 

Magnesium is a mineral crucial for body functioning and keeps our bones strong by absorbing calcium in bones. Calcium makes our bones strong and rigid and allows normal body movement. Swami et al., 2012 presented an overview of the functional and medicinal value of Jackfruit. They mentioned that jackfruit seeds are rich in magnesium, which may help in the absorption of calcium in the bones. Magnesium, along with calcium, strengthens bones and relieves disorders related to bones, e.g. osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones). Thus, it is suggested that jackfruit seeds may have potential benefits in strengthening the bones. Further studies should be conducted to validate the efficacy of jackfruit seeds.²  

Potential Uses of Jackfruit Seed as an Antioxidant 

Antioxidants are agents that reduce the effects of free radicals responsible for chronic health problems. Ranasinghe et al. in 2019 mentioned that jackfruit seeds possess a good amount of ascorbic acid and gallic acid which may protect the body from the negative effects of excess free radical production thus promoting antioxidant activity. Therefore, it can be concluded that jackfruit seeds may help in contributing to the antioxidant activity. More data is required to establish the true extent of its benefit on human health.¹ 

Potential Uses of Jackfruit Seed as an Antibacterial Agent 

Mahanta et al., 2015 and Ranasinghe et al., 2019 mention that the jackfruit seeds extract has shown efficacy against S.aureus, E. coli and B. megaterium revealing that jackfruit seed may have some antimicrobial effects. It may be used to formulate pharmaceutical agents for infectious diseases. Jackfruit seed powder may also help against food contamination. Thus, the seeds of jackfruit may have the potential as an antibacterial agent. Further research should be conducted to validate the efficacy of jackfruit seeds.^1–3  

Potential Uses of Jackfruit Seed as an Antidiabetic Agent 

Dwitiyanti et al., 2019 conducted a study on pregnant female rats. The jackfruit seed extract was administered to diabetic pregnant female rats. The blood glucose levels of pregnant female rats decreased after the administration of jackfruit seed extracts. Therefore, it is suggested that the jackfruit seed extract possesses activities that may have the potential of decreasing blood sugar levels. Further clinical research is required to investigate the true benefit of jackfruit seed in human health.⁵ 

Other Potential Uses:

• The jackfruit seed may also be used as a raw material for ethanol production that may be used as a source of renewable energy. 
• The lectin present in jackfruit seed powder may help evaluate the immunity of HIV-infected patients. 
• The considerable amount of non-reducing sugar may make it appropriate to be used as a prebiotic. 
• It may be considered a nutritious and cooling tonic.^1–4 

Though there are studies that show the benefits of jackfruit seed in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of jackfruit seed on human health.  

Due to their high fibre content, I’ve experienced that jackfruit seeds may help reduce the risk of heart disease, avoid constipation, and may aid in weight reduction. They are also a good source of B-complex vitamins. Additionally, resistant starch, which may regulate blood sugar and may maintain intestinal health, is included in jackfruit seeds.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Jackfruit Seed?

• Jackfruit seeds might be used in cereal bars to preserve hardness and crispiness. 
• It may also be used in snack bars to increase protein content. 
• Jackfruit seed is also used to make pasta and noodles to increase fibre, protein and nutritional content.  The addition of jackfruit seed powder may also help in lowering the cooking time.  
• It also contains a significant amount of starch which might be used as a binding agent in food items like the batter used for deep frying. The starch from jackfruit seed might also be used in the production of a bioplastic that degrades naturally.  
• It might also be used as a thickener and stabilizer in confectionaries. 
• The starch from jackfruit seed may also be used in the paper and textile industries.  
• The boiled seeds of jackfruit are also used in canned tomato sauce.^1-4 
• Jackfruit seeds are widely used as food, especially in Asia. In India, it is boiled in sugar and eaten as a dessert. It is also cooked as a vegetable or as an ingredient in curry preparations along with the remaining part of jackfruit. The jackfruit seeds are also consumed after boiling and roasting. The jackfruit seed powder is also mixed in flour for baking cookies and cakes.^1–3  

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any jackfruit seed supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.   

Additionally, the researchers have found that the seeds have an abundance of highly soluble protein that may aid in the management of anxiety and stress.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Side Effects of Jackfruit Seed:

The most common side effects related to jackfruit seed are: 

• The seed of jackfruit contains a protein named jacalin (a lectin), which has anti-nutritional properties. 
• The jacalin may damage the inner lining of the digestive tract causing interference in the absorption of nutrients.  
• Excessive consumption of jackfruit seeds might lead to a decrease in the immunity of the digestive tract causing certain disorders related to the digestive system.^1,3   

Precautions to Take with Jackfruit Seed:

Patients suffering from digestive disorders must consult their physician before consuming jackfruit seeds. Though, there is not much data available on the consumption of jackfruit seeds during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Thus, lactating and pregnant females should ask their gynaecologist before consuming jackfruit seeds. The elderly and children should also consume jackfruit seeds in moderation if necessary and consult a physician if suffering from any health-related disorders. 

In my experience, the seeds have a very poor capacity to absorb water and fat. Hence, it may aid in maintaining a healthy weight.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Interactions with Other Drugs:

No interactions are reported in the literature reviewed. If you are on medication, consult an experienced and qualified doctor before taking any jackfruit seed supplements. This can possibly help in avoiding interaction with other medicines. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References:

1. Ranasinghe RA, Maduwanthi SD, Marapana RA. Nutritional and health benefits of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.): a review. International journal of food science. 2019 Jan 6;2019. Available form: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfs/2019/4327183/  

2. Swami SB, Thakor NJ, Haldankar PM, Kalse SB. Jackfruit and its many functional components as related to human health: a review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2012 Nov;11(6):565-76. Available form : https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2012.00210.x  

3. Mahanta CL, Kalita D. Processing and utilization of jackfruit seeds. InProcessing and impact on active components in food 2015 Jan 1 (pp. 395-400). Academic Press. Available form: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124046993000470  

4. Waghmare R, Memon N, Gat Y, Gandhi S, Kumar V, Panghal A. Jackfruit seed: an accompaniment to functional foods. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology. 2019 Jun 13;22. Available form: https://www.scielo.br/j/bjft/a/5yY7zY6RXVSQQFgnPyKtTqj/abstract/?lang=en  

5. Dwitiyanti D, Rachmania RA, Efendi K, Septiani R, Jihadudin P. In Vivo Activities and In Silico Study of Jackfruit Seeds (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.am.) on the Reduction of Blood Sugar Levels of Gestational Diabetes Rate Induced by Streptozotocin. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019 Nov 30;7(22):3819. Available form: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7048328/  

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