Actinidia genus fruits

Kiwifruit is the most well-known crop in the genus Actinidia. Although Actinidia fruit sales in the international market are dominated by a single kiwifruit cultivar Actinidia deliciosa Hayward, there are a considerable number of cultivars and selections in the genus that have widely diverse shape, size, and hairiness. They also offer a wide variation in sensory attributes such as flesh color, flavor, and taste, and in nutritional attributes such as the vitamin C level and carotenoid content. The level of actinidin, which is a cysteine protease in kiwifruit, also varies greatly among cultivars. This chapter reviews available information related to several important components, allergenic properties, and health benefits of Actinidia fruits. 

The genus Actinidia is composed of 76 species and about 120 taxa in all (Ferguson and Huang, 2007). In international trade today, the term kiwifruit is taken as including two distinct Actinidia species A. deliciosa and A. chinensis. Recently, fruit of A. arguta have made an entry into international trade. Other Actinidia species have commercial potential, or are important as useful genetic resources for cultivar development by interspecific hybridization techniques. 

McGhie, T.K. and Ainge, G.D. 2002. Color in fruit of the genus Actinidia Carotenoid and chlorophyll compositions. J. Agric. Food Chem. 50, 117-121. 

The fruits of plants of the genus Actinidia cause abnormal excitement for animals of the cat genus, such as cats and lions. Matatabilaaone, obtained from mokutenryou, possesses the same effect [1]. It was foimd that matat-abilactone was a mixture, and that it contained dihydronepetalaaone, isodi-hydronepetalactone, iridomyrmecin, and isoiridomyrmecin 1—A. ... 

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