New insights of fig (Ficus carica L.) as a potential function food

Ficus carica Linn. (Fig), an important fruit tree of Moraceae family is originated from Asia. Fig fruit has been accepted widely by people all over the word due to its impressive health benefits and desirable organoleptic properties, which make it a new functional food. The up to date reports on nutrients and phytochemicals in fig are reviewed in this paper. Additionally, the health benefits and side effects reported in last decade are also summarized to fully understand this special fruit resource. As postharvest processing and variety can bring big difference in fig quality, these aspects are also discussed in this paper. Figs are rich resources of bioactive phytochemicals with diverse structure characteristics. Prenylated phenolics are characteristic bioactive compounds in this fruit, which are rare in nature and present good antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective activities. Sugars, organic acids, coumarins and prenylated phenolics can be the marker chemicals for variety selection. The review would provide a valuable information for further exploitation and utilization of fig. •The health benefits and side effects of fig are summarized.•Prenylated phenolics are the characteristic bioactive compounds in fig.•Prenylated phenolics are rare in nature.•Coumarins contribute to the side effects of fig.