Passionflower

Passiflora edulis (edible passion fruit, maracuja) is an evergreen, woody vine from the Passifloraceae family, native to South America. Botanically, it is characterized by tendrils that cling to supports and complex flowers with a distinctive corona. The fruit is a berry with a hard, leathery exocarp, which often wrinkles when fully ripe. The edible part is the interior filled with black seeds, which are enclosed in a juicy, aromatic, gelatinous sac (aril). There are two main varieties: purple (f. edulis) and sour yellow (f. flavicarpa). Nutritionally, the fruit is valued for its high fiber content (thanks to the seeds), vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. The phytochemical profile is rich in carotenoids (beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin) and polyphenols. A unique component of the seeds is the stilbenoid piceatannol, which promotes collagen synthesis and skin health. The fruits also contain traces of alkaloids (harman), which have mild sedative effects.