Brazilian researchers develop cancer treatment using guavas

Among the famous array of tropical fruits found in Brazil, the red guava is among the most loved. The country is the world leader in producing red guavas, while the white variety is more commonly grown in India. The states of São Paulo, Pernambuco, and Rio de Janeiro are home to 80 percent of all guavas cultivated in Brazil, used for juice, sweets, and a wide variety of other foods. The annual revenue of red guava orchards in Brazil reaches BRL 800 million (USD 145 million).

Recently, however, scientists have found another use of the delicious — and nutritious — fruit. Using a substance present in red guavas, researchers from the University of Brasília (UnB) medicine faculty developed a nanotechnological product with anticancer properties, particularly against breast cancer.

Lycopene is a carotenoid, the pigment responsible for making tomatoes, watermelons, and guavas red....