ABSTRACT
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), which is an evergreen subtropical tree, belongs to the family Rosaceae. The fruit is widely cultivated in Japan, China, India, and some European countries as well. The loquat serves as a rich source of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, organic acids, pectin, and antioxidants. It is considered a valuable source of bioactive and phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Several clinical research findings show that antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of these compounds can help control diabetes, enhance immunity, reduce inflammation, aid in cardiac functions, regulate blood pressure, enhance skin growth, control aging, and improve eye vision and cognition power. Loquat fruits can be eaten fresh, and various value-added products can be developed from fruits and leaves of the loquat plant. In this chapter, the nutritional importance, medicinal use, and processing of loquat are discussed in detail.
