Nutrients, bioactives, health-promoting effects, and related products of pears: Different varieties, growth stages and parts

Pears are one of the three major fruits worldwide due to their delicious taste and attractive aromas. In addition, they are consumed largely because of abundant nutrients and bioactives, which endow pears and related products with various health-promoting effects like anti-inflammatory, oxidation resistance, remitting respiratory and digestive diseases. The difference of health-promoting effects is closely related with the types and the contents of nutrients and bioactives, which were significantly different among different varieties, growth stages and parts. Therefore, we sytematically summarizes the composition, content variation of nutrients, bioactives and health-promoting effects in pears during different varieties, tissue and growth stages. Asian pears have high water content, low sugar and starch content, while European pears have high sugar content. Young pear has higher phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity than mature pear, which contains high sugar content. Furthermore, commercially available pear products are also systematically stated, including fresh pear, dried products, frozen products, pear juice, lactobacillus fermentated products and brewage products. The review will provide reference for research, comprehensive utilization and product development of pears.