Common Names: Papaya, pawpaw, papaw
Local Names: Ibepe (Yoruba), Ojo (Igbo), gwanda (Hausa)
Species ID: NMP-017 | wfo-0000588009 | NCBI:txid3649

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Rosids

Order: Brassicales

Family: Caricaceae

Genus: Carica

Species: C. papaya

Synonyms: Carica citriformis, C. cubensis, C. hermaphrodita, C. peltata, Papaya carica, P. vulgaris, Vasconcellea peltata (+32 others)

Carica papaya is a fast-growing arborescent herb reaching 5-10 m height. Distinctive features include:

·       Trunk: Single-stemmed, hollow, with persistent leaf scars (2-4 cm diameter)

·       Leaves: Spiral, palmately lobed (50-70 cm diameter), 7 deep lobes with yellow midribs

·       Latex: Milky sap in articulated laticifers throughout plant

·  Flowers: Dioecious; male: tubular (2-3 cm), 10 stamens; female: solitary, ovary superior (4-6 cm diameter)

·   Fruit: Berry, oval-oblong (15-45 cm), yellow-orange when ripe with black seeds (5-7 mm)

Native to Mesoamerica (southern Mexico to Costa Rica), now pantropical. Key cultivation zones:

·       Americas: Brazil (27% global production), Mexico

·       Africa: Nigeria, DR Congo (optimal at 21-33°C)

·       Asia: India (43% world production), Philippines

Thrives in well-drained soils (pH 5.5-6.7), rainfall 1500-2000 mm/year. Sensitive to frost (<2°C).

·      Digestive: Papain enzyme (EC 3.4.22.2) hydrolyzes proteins at pH 6-7 (1g digests 35g egg white). Papain, an enzyme found in papaya, is known to aid digestion. Unripe papaya has been used as a remedy for indigestion and constipation.

·       Antimicrobial: The alkaloids and flavonoids found in several parts of the plant have antimicrobial and medicinal properties. Seed extract inhibits E. coli (MIC 62.5 μg/ml) and Candida albicans.

·  Antioxidant: The leaves of C. papaya contain bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant properties, which help in neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. Fruit contains 62 mg/100g vitamin C (103% RDI) and 950 μg β-carotene.

·    Dermatological: Papaya is often used in skin care products because it can promote skin health and act as an exfoliant. Papain-based ointments reduce burn healing time by 40% (p<0.05).

·      Antidiabetic: Studies have indicated that papaya leaf extracts may help in lowering blood glucose levels, suggesting potential benefits for individuals with diabetes. Leaf tea reduces blood glucose by 24% in T2D patients (12-week trial).

·       Anticancer Potential: Research has shown that compounds in papaya leaves exhibit antiproliferative effects against various cancer cell lines, indicating potential as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment.

·   Antiparasitic: The seeds have been used traditionally to combat intestinal parasites.

⚠  Toxicity Profile

Unripe fruit latex contains 15% papain causing uterine contractions (avoid in pregnancy). Benzyl isothiocyanate in seeds (0.8-1.2%) may cause hepatotoxicity at >30g/day. Allergenicity risk: 7% latex-sensitive individuals show cross-reactivity.

·       Food Industry: Meat tenderizers (papain), clarifying agent in brewing

·       Textiles: Latex used in wool shrinkage prevention (0.5% solution)

·       Cosmetics: Fruit extracts in exfoliants (AHA content 3-5%)

·       Bioremediation: Leaf powder removes 78% lead ions from contaminated water

1. Contreras, A. (2016). Carica papaya. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T20681422A20694916. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T20681422A20694916.en
2. Chavez-Pesqueira, M., & Nunez-Farfan, J. (2017). Domestication and genetics of papaya. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 5, 155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2017.00155
3. Morton, J. F. (1987). Papaya. In Fruits of Warm Climates (pp. 336-346). Purdue University. https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html
4. Missouri Botanical Garden. (2023). Carica papaya L. Plant Finder. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
5. National Parks Board Singapore. (2022). Carica papaya. Flora & Fauna Web. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb

1. Wikipedia: Papaya
2. JSTOR Plant Specimens
3. Feedipedia Nutritional Profile
4. Levy Preserve Ecological Data
5. World Flora Online Entry

• Tetrahydrospirilloxanthin (Squalene)
• n-Tetradecane
• Eicosane
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
• 1,2,4,5-Tetramethylbenzene
• n-Octadecane
• 4-Ethyl-1,2-dimethylbenzene
• 2-tetradecene
• 1-Nonadecene
• 1H-indene, 2,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl

Babatunde, O., Oladimeji, A. O., & Oguntuase, B. J. (2019). Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of Synsepalum dulcificum Daniell and Carica papaya L. seeds oil. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 44(7).