Areca Catechu Production, Processing, and Uses
摘要
Areca catechu is a distinct and unique plant mostly found in tropical climates and is cultivated primarily for its nuts. The nuts contain several chemicals known both for their beneficial and harmful effects, mainly carcinogenicity and contribution towards oral cancer. Considerable variations are found in the yield, structure, and properties of areca nuts depending on the species, climatic conditions, and processing methods. Areca nuts are consumed directly and also added to various products and sold under various trade names in different countries. In addition to the nuts, the outer husks, leaf sheaths, and leaves are generated as byproducts. These byproducts contain valuable chemicals and polymers but are generally discarded as waste. This chapter provides information on the production, availability, and processing of areca nuts and its byproducts.