Advances in Germplasm Resources, Bioactivities, and Comprehensive Utilization of Canistel (Pouteria campechiana (Kunth) Baehni)

Canistel (Pouteria campechiana (Kunth) Baehni) is a tropical evergreen fruit tree native to Mesoamerica, with expanding cultivation in southern China and other tropical regions. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of current knowledge on canistel, covering botanical characteristics, germplasm resources and genetic diversity, propagation and cultivation techniques, nutritional composition, phytochemical diversity, pharmacological bioactivities, and food processing applications. In its center of origin, germplasm conservation is threatened by genetic erosion, while Chinese breeding programs have released improved cultivars such as ‘Xiantao 1’, ‘Xiantao 2’, and ‘Yunre-205’. Propagation methods, including seed germination and grafting, have been optimized, and the species exhibits broad stress tolerance. The fruit is rich in carotenoids (especially lycopene and β-carotene), phenolic compounds, and essential minerals, and its seeds contain high-amylose starch (up to 68.1%) with resistant starch properties. Preclinical studies demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, analgesic, and immunomodulatory activities, although clinical and long-term toxicological data are lacking. Advances in carotenoid encapsulation and oil-based fortification offer promising routes for functional food development. To realize its full potential, coordinated international efforts are needed to broaden genetic resources, elucidate metabolic pathways, develop scalable processing technologies, and validate health benefits through rigorous clinical trials.