Research Progress and Utilization of Okra

Okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.),being a flowering plant of annual herb,is a kind of special vegetable for its edible green seed pods with high nutritional value and potential health benefits. From the perspective of nutrition,okra fruit is a good source of protein,containing a variety of mineral elements,with a series of unique food processing performance such as thickening and stability. Okra seed oil has high nutritional and health value. In terms of functional properties,okra has the effects of lowering blood-fat,anti-fatigue,and improving immunity. At present,the preservation of fresh okra mainly uses vacuum pre-cooling and low-temperature preservation. Okra products mainly focus on canned foods,dry products,and compound drinks. Its nutritional and functional characteristics,storage and edible value were summarized,based on the discussion of the nutritional and health functional properties of okra,the development and research of its products were discussed. Its research progress and development prospects of okra development and utilization were also discussed,which is expected to provide theoretical guidance for okra deep development.