Carambola 267
At late ripening phase (days 12–24) when^ tissue firmness had declined substantially,
dramatic changes involving^ pectins and hemicelluloses were evident. Pectins were
solubilized, and this^ increased solubility was accompanied by depolymerization of
all pectin^ classes and a decrease in the level of the Na 2 CO 3 -soluble polyuronides.
Coincident with these marked modifications of the tightly bound, predominant
polyuronide fractions and hemicellulose was the increase in activities of
polygalacturonase and b-(1,4)-glucanase, suggesting that these^ enzymes may contribute
to wall modifications late during ripening. Some of^ the other wall hydrolases, namely,
a-arabinosidase,^ a-galactosidase and certain isoforms of^ b-galactosidase/galactanase,
have been indicated to be relevant to the early^ ripening changes when pectin
solubilization was limited (Chin et al., 1999).
14.14 Medicinal uses................................................................................
All parts of the Carambola tree are credited with medicinal properties (Anon. 1985).
The root is administered as an antidote in snake poisoning. The crushed leaves or
shoots are applied externally in chicken pox, ring worm, scabies and headache. They
are reputed to be antiscourbutic. A decoction of leaves is used for aphtha and angina
and to arrest vomiting. Flowers are said to possess wormicidal properties. The fruits
are reputed to be laxative, antiscourbutic, febrifuge, antidysentric and antiphlogistic.
The fruit juice is a good remedy for piles and is useful in relieving thirst and febrile
excitement. The seeds are said to increase the flow of milk and in large doses act as
an emmenagogue and cause abortion. They are generally administered as infusion,
decoction or tincture. They have slight intoxicating and emetic properties. They are
useful in treating asthma, colic and jaundice.
In India, the ripe fruit is administered to halt hemorrhages and to relieve bleeding
hemorrhoids and the dried fruit or the juice may be taken to counteract fevers. A
conserve of the fruit is said to allay biliousness and diarrhea and to relieve a ‘hangover’
from excessive indulgence in alcohol. A salve made of the fruit is employed to
relieve eye afflictions. In Brazil, the carambola is recommended as a diuretic in
kidney and bladder complaints, and is believed to have a beneficial effect in the
treatment of eczema. In Chinese Materia Medica it is stated, ‘Its action is to quench
thirst, to increase the salivary secretion’.
14.15 Other uses.......................................................................................
The acid types of carambola have been used to clean and polish metal, especially
brass, as they dissolve tarnish and rust. The juice will also bleach rust stains from
white cloth. Unripe fruits are used in place of a conventional mordant in dyeing.
Carambola wood is white, becoming reddish with age; close-grained, medium-hard.
It has been utilized for construction and furniture.
14.16 References.......................................................................................
AMIN M. N. and RAZZAQUE M. A. (1993). Regeneration of Averrhoa carambola plants in vitro from
callus cultures of seedling explants. J. Horticultural Science 68(4): 551–556.