Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the review of related literature and studies that has relevance to the
study conducted. These literature and studies are authored by Filipinos and Foreigners.

A. The History of Passion Flower Passiflora

Passiflora is known to have many names according to its kind. The history
of Passiflora or ‘Passion flower’ is interesting and unique. It is developed from the descriptions
of its flower parts supplied in the Seventeenth Century by Spanish priests in South America,
known at that time as the ‘New Spain’. It was known by the Spanish as “La Flor de las cinco
Llagas” or the ‘The Flower With The Five Wounds.’ ‘Passionis’ refers to (Christ’s) suffering.
The parts were interpreted from drawings and dried plants by Giacomo Bosio, a churchman and
historian, in Rome (1609), as representing various elements of the Crucifixion. [ CITATION Myl20 \l
1033 ]

B. Nutritional Composition Of Passiflora Foetida

The species P. foetida also presents a genetic diversity (BEENA; BEEVY, 2015), and in
general it is considered to be a medicinal weed. Ethnobotanical studies pointed its leaves and
fruits in treatment of asthma, icterus, skin disorders, inflammation, digestion disorders,
stomachache, constipation, flatulence, dizziness (WAGNER et al., 1990), and anti-cancer activity
(PURICELLI et al., 2003).
 1. Nutritional Composition

Sugars and Organic Acids

Four soluble sugars, namely sucrose, fructose, glucose, and maltose, were identified, and their
contents were assessed in the table below. The most abundant sugars in P. foetida fruits were
found to be glucose (47.90%) and fructose (47.90%), while sucrose was found only in small
amounts (4.20%) and maltose was inexistent. Our results disagree with the results of other
passionfruits, in which sucrose was the most abundant sugar (about 60%); the rest were glucose
and fructose (about 40%). [ CITATION YaS19 \l 1033 ]

Nutritional composition (fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, sugars, and organic acids) of the
fruit, expressed on a fresh weight (FW) basis and per 100 g edible portion.

Sugars (g) Per 100 g of FW Percentage of Total Sugars (%)

Glucose 1.6 ± 0.1 47.90

Fructose 1.6 ± 0.1 47.90

Sucrose 0.14 ± 0.01 4.20

Total 3.34
2. The Five Organic Acids
The five organic acids in P. foetida fruits are oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid,
ascorbic acid and citric acid, and their contents are shown in the table below. Oxalic
acid (29.17%) and citric acid (50.00%) are the major organic acids of the fruit among
all organic acids, and the analysis showed that they account for 79.17% of the total
acid content. Citric acid was also the most abundant organic acid in the passionfruit
samples, while other organic acids were of very low concentrations
 C. Medicinal Uses of Passiflora Foetida
The fresh, whole plant is boiled and the liquid used as a children's anthelmintic, for
intestinal nematodes and flatworms. A decoction of the dried plant is drunk to treat colds and
chest coughs. It is also used in the treatment of tuberculosis, worms, and for coughs and colds
Fluid, pressed from the leaves and stem, is used to improve fertility in women.
The root is antispasmodic The leaves are crushed in water and the solution drunk as an
antidote to the bite of the Papuan Black Snake. The leaves, combined with those of Erythrina
variegata, are mashed and their juice extracted then drunk in order to induce sleep or to treat
sleeping disorders.An infusion of the leaves is used for healing wounds. Freshed young leaves
are mashed and then rubbed on to the wound of a snake bite.

The leaf contains substances that have possible antimicrobial activity.[ CITATION Ken19 \l 1033 ]
Bibliography
Fern, K. ( 2019, June 13). Passiflora foetida. Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved from
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Passiflora+foetida

Irvine, M. S. (n.d.). Passion flower Passiflora – History. Retrieved 2000-2020, from

https://www.passionflow.co.uk/passion-flower-history/

Ya Song, 1. X.-Q.-Y.-W.-M.-L.-D.-M. (2018 Feb 19). Retrieved February 19, 2018 , from US National
Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017921/