Carob bean (Ceratonia siliqua L.): A new perspective for functional food

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Leguminosae family and typical of Mediterranean basin. It well known for its valuable locust bean gum obtained from carob seeds. However, food industry can obtain different products fruit after processing. are good sources dietary fibre, sugars, a range bioactive compounds such as polyphenols D-pinitol. Bioactive present in derived help control many health problems diabetes, heart diseases, gastrointestinal disorders due their anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities. So, have great potential be used functional ingredient. This article focuses on characteristics processing, chemical composition, benefits, applications formulations explore developing wide variety health-beneficial products.