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Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), renowned for its aesthetic appeal and rich antioxidant content, has gained global popularity due to its numerous health benefits. In Australia, despite growing commercial interest in cultivating dragon fruit, there is uncertainty for local growers stemming from competition with imported varieties. Notably, there is a...
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Context 1
... shelf-life evaluation was conducted through a controlled storage experiment, where uniformed size dragon fruit samples without physical damage were selected and stored in corrugated fiberboard boxes (6 fruits in each) under ambient temperature and humidity conditions monitored by Tapo T310 (Table 1). Regular assessments were performed at predetermined intervals (every second day) to track changes in selected parameters throughout the storage period. ...Context 2
... trends in these shelf-life parameters were also observed in this study. The detailed results for these parameters are shown in Table A1 in Appendix A. ...Context 3
... the red-flesh variety, the shelf-life is identical for both Australian-grown and imported dragon fruit, at 8 days after being freshly harvested or received. The slightly longer shelf-life observed in Australian-grown white-flesh dragon fruit is likely caused by higher TSS and TA at the beginning and lower weight loss (see Table A1) during storage (Table 2). ...Context 4
... the red-flesh variety, the shelf-life is identical for both Australiangrown and imported dragon fruit, at 8 days after being freshly harvested or received. The slightly longer shelf-life observed in Australian-grown white-flesh dragon fruit is likely caused by higher TSS and TA at the beginning and lower weight loss (see Table A1) during storage (Table 2). Table 2. Overall shelf-life of Australian-grown and imported dragon fruit stored under ambient conditions. ...Context 5
... shelf-life evaluation was conducted through a controlled storage experiment, where uniformed size dragon fruit samples without physical damage were selected and stored in corrugated fiberboard boxes (6 fruits in each) under ambient temperature and humidity conditions monitored by Tapo T310 (Table 1). Regular assessments were performed at predetermined intervals (every second day) to track changes in selected parameters throughout the storage period. ...Context 6
... trends in these shelf-life parameters were also observed in this study. The detailed results for these parameters are shown in Table A1 in Appendix A. ...Context 7
... the red-flesh variety, the shelf-life is identical for both Australian-grown and imported dragon fruit, at 8 days after being freshly harvested or received. The slightly longer shelf-life observed in Australian-grown white-flesh dragon fruit is likely caused by higher TSS and TA at the beginning and lower weight loss (see Table A1) during storage (Table 2). ...Context 8
... the red-flesh variety, the shelf-life is identical for both Australiangrown and imported dragon fruit, at 8 days after being freshly harvested or received. The slightly longer shelf-life observed in Australian-grown white-flesh dragon fruit is likely caused by higher TSS and TA at the beginning and lower weight loss (see Table A1) during storage (Table 2). Table 2. Overall shelf-life of Australian-grown and imported dragon fruit stored under ambient conditions. ...Citations
... However, despite being an economically important fruit with multiple uses, dragon fruit cultivation in Australia remains niche. It accounts for a relatively small portion of the nation's horticultural output, yielding around 740 tons annually from approximately 40,000 plants [4]. The market for locally grown dragon fruit is further limited by high production costs, which make it difficult for Australian growers to compete on price with cheaper imported dragon fruit from Southeast Asia. ...
Dragon fruit, which is native to northern South America and Mexico, has become a significant crop in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Vietnam, China, and Australia. The fruit (Hylocereus spp.) is rich in various bioactive phytochemical compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and pigments such as betalains and anthocyanins, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. This comprehensive review introduces the origin, classification, and global production of dragon fruit, with a particular focus on its bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic potential. Additionally, it critically evaluates the current industry standards for fresh dragon fruit production across key producing countries. While these standards primarily focus on quality, classification, and grading criteria, they lack focus on parameters related to the fruit’s bioactive content. The absence of established quality standards for fresh produce in the Australian dragon fruit industry presents a unique opportunity to develop guidelines that align with both international benchmarks and the therapeutic potential of the fruit. By addressing this gap, this review can potentially help Australia to position its dragon fruit industry to achieve greater consistency, competitiveness, and consumer appeal. As the demand for functional foods continues to rise, aligning Australian production practices with global standards becomes critical to meeting domestic market expectations. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of dragon fruit’s nutritional and therapeutic significance and highlights its potential role in establishing a robust standard for the Australian dragon fruit industry. A review of global industry standards reveled that Australian standard could incorporate classifications of dragon fruits, including external factors like appearance, size, and defect tolerance. Future research is needed to prioritize understanding of the impact of cultivation practices and environmental factors on the bioactive composition of dragon fruit, enabling the development of best practices for growers. Additionally, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of these bioactive properties through clinical trials, particularly their potential in preventing chronic diseases. The advancement of analytical methods for quantifying bioactive compounds will provide deeper insights into their health benefits and support the establishment of bioactive-oriented industry standards. Moreover, investigations of post-harvest handling and processing techniques could optimize the preservation of these valuable compounds, enhancing dragon fruit’s role as a functional food.