Research Advances of Carica papaya in Agriculture, Food Science, and Bioactive Compounds: A Bibliometric Study

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Abstract
Studies on Carica papaya have focused on solving challenges related to its cultivation, postharvest management, and medicinal properties. Given the extensive volume of information produced, a quantitative analysis is required to delineate the intellectual framework and development of C. papaya research. This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 45 years of scientific research on C. papaya. Our analysis examined 6,544 documents from 1,737 journals, consisting of 6,076 articles, 379 reviews, and 91 conference papers. The United States, India, Brazil, and China lead scientific production, maintaining robust international partnerships. The main research domains were applied sciences (40.9%), analytical studies (36.6%), and experimental research (16.9%), with topics including postharvest quality, disease resistance, genomic sequencing, and the biological activities of secondary metabolites. A co-occurrence analysis revealed an association between polar leaf extracts and phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which are linked to antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was the most frequent finding (945 articles). In conclusion, scientific knowledge of C. papaya primarily comprises studies on the plant genome, crop diseases, and bioactive compounds. Research highlights the plant as a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture and, specifically, its leaves as a source of novel phytopharmaceuticals.

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