The seeds of fruits such as mango and grapes appear to have properties which turn them into a natural food preservative and a potential tool in the fight to prevent deadly food infections.
Christina Engels, a researcher at the University of Alberta in Canada, working on her masters thesis in agricultural, food and nutritional science, discovered that pure tannins, a plant component extracted from certain fruit kernels, have inhibitory effects against various strains of bacteria, including Listeria.
The latter causes Listeriosis, a potentially deadly digestive system condition, which killed 21 people in Canada last year when it found its way to some packaged meats.
“By processing the kernels for their tannins, businesses have a way to completely utilize all fruit parts and therefore increase their profit,” says Engels.
The research result may also be welcome news to those who eat a plant-based diet such as the alkaline diet which relies on citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes, and in addition to helping lose and control weight it may also boost bone health into old age. 