Knowledge trends on Psidium guineense and its biotechnological applications evidenced by technological monitoring

Abstract

The Myrtaceae family is an essential part of the worldwide economics, and it is present in different countries of Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, with more than 133 genera and about 4,000 described species, from which Guinea guava (Psidium guineense) stands out in Brazil. This specie shows a potential use in different economic segments, such as the pharmaceutical and food ones, and in the wood industry. In view of the importance of Guinea guava and its occurrence throughout the Brazilian territory, technological monitoring studies on this plant may contribute as a basis for future research, aiming at its applicability for industrial products, as well as for producers who wish to add value to Guinea guava-based products. Our searching results showed that 61% of the publications (scientific manuscripts, master’s and doctoral theses, patents) on Guinea guava are related to the environmental sector, 37% are related to health biotechnology, and 2% to the industrial biotechnology sector. Data show that 97.6% of the information on Guinea guava is published as scientific manuscripts and master’s and doctoral theses, while only 2.4% are published as patent documents. In this way, data from the technological monitoring of Guinea guava emphasize the relevance of the integration and the scientific and technological cooperation between universities and research institutes with the industrial/productive sectors, to insert Brazil in a more strategic position in the exploitation of its genetic resources.