Canistel
Pouteria campechiana
Pouteria campechiana is a plant native to Central America and Mexico. While it has not been traditionally used in any specific medical practices, its dehydrated pulp has shown potential as a food dye with good color stability and sensory scores when used in ice cream. Scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of Pouteria campechiana is limited; one study focused on optimizing a solvent-free process for enriching coconut oil with β-carotene from Canistel fruit, noting enhanced antioxidant properties but did not provide new findings specific to Pouteria campechiana itself. The plant hosts the invasive mealybug Ferrisia dasylirii in Hainan Province, China, which is relevant to its ecological impact rather than medicinal use. No major safety issues or drug interactions have been recorded for this plant.
- Best evidence
- A
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- Pouteria campechiana seeds contain starch with varying functional properties, which can be enhanced through native or modified methods.
- The study optimized a solvent-free process to enrich coconut oil with β-carotene from Canistel fruit, achieving good retention and enhanced antioxidant properties.
- The study reviews Pouteria campechiana's traditional uses, chemical composition, and potential health benefits but does not provide new specific findings.
- Pouteria campechiana hosts the invasive mealybug Ferrisia dasylirii in Hainan Province, China.
- Dehydrated canistel pulp showed photostability and potential as a food dye in ice cream, with higher concentrations providing better color stability and sensory scores.
Frequently asked questions
What is Canistel?
Canistel (Pouteria campechiana) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about Canistel?
5 sourced findings are recorded for Canistel; the strongest carries evidence grade A. For example: Pouteria campechiana seeds contain starch with varying functional properties, which can be enhanced through native or modified methods.
How strong is the evidence for Canistel?
The strongest finding for Canistel carries evidence grade A — strong evidence. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is Canistel safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for Canistel in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does Canistel interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for Canistel in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of Canistel?
Canistel is also known as: Канистел.
Is Canistel a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Native and modified starches from underutilized seeds: Characteristics, functional properties and potential applications. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Using food to color food: photostability of canistel pulp and its application as a food dye. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Sapotaceae Family Fruits from Central America: Botanical, Phytochemical and Nutraceutical Insights-A Review. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Optimization of β-Carotene Enrichment of Coconut Oil from Canistel (Pouteria campechiana L.) Using Response Surface Methodology. literature abstract metadata
- T2 First report of the invasive mealybug Ferrisia dasylirii (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from China based on integrated taxonomy. literature abstract metadata