AN OVERVIEW FOR PHYTOCHEMICAL ACTIVITIES OF CARICA PAPAYA FRUIT

Papaya, scientifically known as Carica papaya or Carica Papaya Linn is the only edible member of the Caricaceae family. Papaya is a large herbaceous plant exploited for its biological activities. Papaya's wide range of uses and activities are attributed to its abundance of enzymes, minerals, nutrients, and phyto-constituents. Its applications range from adding it to one's diet regularly to treating minor illnesses and even serious conditions like cancer. All of the papaya plant's parts; bark, flowers, fruit, latex, leaves, peel, roots, seeds, and stem have therapeutic and medical uses. The use of papaya as a food and traditional medicine is as old as mankind. Presently, to overcome antibiotic-resistant microbes, C. papaya is a natural source with far more advantages. C. papaya plant is used in commercial, industrial, medicinal, and therapeutic applications owing mainly to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties. This review aims to provide a concise review of the applications of C. papaya.