Extract shows promise as a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory compound

Image credit: Bigstock

Image credit: Bigstock

Problem

What can be done to help prevent inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, strokes, and cancer?

  • Chronic inflammatory diseases are the cause of approximately three out of every five deaths worldwide and as many as seven out of ten in the United States.
  • Health care costs associated with chronic inflammatory diseases make up approximately 90 percent of annual health care expenditures in the United States.

Findings

Food scientists may have found a naturally occurring source for anti-inflammatory compounds in an extract from avocado seeds.

Impact

Extracts from the seeds of avocados, which are considered a low-value waste product, could:

  • Help prevent these serious diseases.
  • Return value to avocado growers and processors.
  • Reduce hundreds of thousands of tons of seed waste dumped in landfills.

Research Area: Integrated Health Solutions

Research Credit

Team

Participating Departments

Federal and State Appropriations

  • USDA NIFA Hatch Project PEN04708, Accession #1019852

Emerging Discoveries

Published Research

In Vitro Antioxidant and Cancer Inhibitory Activity of a Colored Avocado Seed Extract.

Avocado (Persea americana) seed as a source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Startup

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600