Abstract
Non-traditional fruits play an important role in human nutrition as an excellent source of bioactive phytochemicals. Highly valued for its unique flavor, texture and color, recent research had shown Physalis peruviana to be rich in lipid active compounds. Total lipids in the whole berry were 2.0%. In P. peruviana oil, linoleic and oleic were the main unsaturated fatty acids, while palmitic and stearic acids were the major saturates. Neutral lipids comprised more than 95% of total lipids in whole berry oil. Triacylglycerols were the predominant lipid class and constituted about 81% of total neutral lipids in the whole berry oil. The oil is also rich in phytosterols and tocopherols. Campesterol and beta-sitosterol were the main sterols, while beta- and gamma-tocopherols were the main components in whole P. peruviana berry oil. beta-Carotene and vitamin K-1 were also measured in high levels in P. peruviana pulp/peel oil. This chapter provides a valuable source for current knowledge on bioactive lipids in P. peruviana.