AU: Rejuvenating pear research
Funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), CSIRO is currently conducting a scoping review and position statement for health enhancing and nutritional properties of pears. Professor Manny Noakes, Research Director of CSIRO’s Nutrition and Health Program, is leading the work and spoke about what is known about pear health benefits at HortCon2015.
Professor Manny Noakes, Research Director of CSIRO’s Nutrition and Health Program.
“Pears are particularly rich in sorbitol, as compared to other fruit, containing around three per cent sorbitol,” explained Manny. “Sorbitol has laxative properties and processed pears are already used in products for gut health because they contain beneficial amounts of sorbitol.”
Manny also cited work that showed that some Asian-type pears may be useful in reducing blood alcohol and could be helpful in reducing the effect of hangovers. Could the next product be a ‘Pear-occa’, she asked.
CSIRO will deliver to the industry a comprehensive literature review on pears and pear components and health measures, a summary of statements that can be used in communication about pears and if applicable, research recommendations.
APAL intends to use this information to explore potential product opportunities; harnessing science and nutritional evidence and in doing so, creating a value added positioning for the pear sector – capitalising on the potential, realising the opportunities and promoting the advantages of pears.
This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (HIA) using the apple and pear industry levy from growers and funds from the Australian Government.
Visit apal.org.au for more information.