Investigation on bioavailability was carried out by determining the absorption and transport of bioaccessible apigenin from fruit of mango (Mangifera indica var. Water Lily) into Caco-2 human intestinal cell using a reliable and sensitive analytical method of LC-MS/MS. Results revealed that the concentration of glucuronidated apigenin was lower than apigenin. The apigenin was metabolised inside the cells through glucuronidation process, and cross the monolayer to reach the basolateral sides or effluxed back to the apical side. The permeability coefficient of apigenin from apical to basolateral sides and basolateral to apical sides showed a medium permeability of less than 20 ×10⁻⁶ cm·sec⁻¹. Since the value of efflux ratio was 1.5, it suggested that apigenin was absorbed and transported through a simple diffusion mechanism.

Underutilised fruits are not only important sources of food and nutrition, but also secure household income especially for rural and farm communities. However, some of the underutilised fruits have not received much attention as compared to commercial fruits. This could be due to their lack of knowledge of their potential values. Hence, information about their health promoting properties is critical to increase the value of underutilised fruit species to enhance their preservation and sustainable use in strengthening food, nutrition, health and livelihood security. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the phytochemical properties and biological activities of underutilised fruit species grown in Malaysia focussing on health promoting aspects. With regard to phytochemistry, only 21 species of underutilised fruits have been identified and quantified. Phytochemical investigations of various parts of the fruits have revealed the presence of over 100 phytochemicals which are phenolics, terpenoids, carotenoids and other miscellaneous compounds. About 51 underutilised fruit species have been explored for interesting biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, cytotoxicity, antiatherosclerotic, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activities) supporting their diverse traditional uses. Different parts of the fruits have been analysed mainly in vitro and barely in vivo, with pulp being the most dominant. Of all the underutilised fruits studied, Mangifera species and Canarium odontophyllum have been the major focus for researchers. The gaps obtained from this review create further research opportunities to add to the current knowledge of health promoting properties of underutilised fruits in Malaysia. More studies are needed to confirm the health significance and explain their mechanisms of action in order to fully understand the real potential of this underutilised fruit species.