The Gac plant (scientific name: Momordica cochinchinensis) is a typical plant species of Southeast Asia, especially popular in Vietnam. Gac has high nutritional and medicinal value thanks to its beta-carotene, lycopene content and abundant beneficial fats. This article will focus on the morphological characteristics of Gac, as well as how Gac grows in Vietnam’s climate and its applications in industries.
1. Morphological characteristics of Gac
The Gac plant is a vine of the Cucurbitaceae family, thriving in tropical climates, where there is high humidity and lots of light.
- Trunk:
Gac is a vine, which can reach a length of 10 to 15 meters. The trunk is dark green, soft, with tendrils that help the tree cling to trellises or other trees to grow. The plant usually grows quickly if the soil and environmental conditions are favorable.
- Leaves:
Gac leaves are bright green, palmate with 3-5 lobes. The leaves grow alternately on the trunk, quite large in size with a length of about 8-20 cm. The surface of the leaves has small, thin hairs, helping the plant avoid dehydration in harsh weather conditions.
- Flowers:
Gac plants have two types of flowers: male and female flowers, and are dioecious, meaning each gac plant only bears male or female flowers. The flowers are pale yellow, the flowers grow in clusters while the female flowers grow singly. The diameter of the flowers is about 5-10 cm. Male flowers often have a light fragrance, attracting natural pollinating insects. Cross-pollination is necessary for the gac plant to bear fruit.
- Gac Fruit
The gac fruit is spherical or slightly oval in shape, with a diameter ranging from 15 to 20 cm. When ripe, the fruit has a bright reddish-orange color, and its surface is covered with small, soft spikes. Inside the fruit, there is a pale-yellow pulp and a red aril that surrounds the seeds. This red aril is the most nutrient-rich part of the gac fruit. The seeds are flat, dark brown in color, and are encased in the red aril.
2. Growth Characteristics of the Gac Plant.
Gac is a perennial plant, well-suited to tropical humid climates and requires adequate sunlight. The plant grows vigorously in the spring and summer when the temperature and humidity are ideal.
- Temperature and Light
The gac plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C, which is the optimal environment for its growth and development. It requires strong sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. Sufficient light is necessary for effective photosynthesis and increases the plant’s ability to bloom and bear fruit.
- Soil
Gac grows best in light, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage, and the ideal pH range for the soil is between 5.5 and 6.5. Excessively dry or waterlogged soil can negatively affect the plant’s growth. Additionally, the gac plant requires adequate moisture throughout its growing period.
- Growth Cycle
It takes about 6 to 8 months from planting seeds for the gac plant to bloom and begin fruiting. Gac fruits ripen approximately 5 to 6 months after they are formed. Typically, the gac harvest season in Vietnam occurs from November to January.
Gac is a perennial plant with an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years if well cared for. In the early years, the plant grows well and produces a high yield. However, after about 8 to 10 years, its productivity gradually decreases.
3. Planting, Care, and Harvesting Methods
In Vietnam, gac is cultivated in many provinces. However, due to favorable climate and soil conditions, gac is most commonly grown in provinces such as Tuyen Quang, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, and Tien Giang. Some key aspects of the popular planting, care, and harvesting methods are as follows:
- Planting
Gac is mainly grown from seeds or cuttings. However, the more common method is seed planting, as it allows the plant to grow stronger, yield better, and have a longer lifespan.
After about 10-15 days, the seeds will germinate. The plant grows well in nutrient-rich soil that drains well and does not become waterlogged.
Since gac is a climbing plant, in Vietnam, it is typically grown on trellises or fences to allow the plant to climb and develop.
- Care
Gac is considered a relatively easy plant to care for. However, to ensure healthy growth, the following factors should be considered:
– Water: Regular watering is essential, especially during the growing and fruiting stages. It’s also important to ensure proper drainage.
– Light: The plant requires plenty of sunlight, so trellises or fences should be tall and open enough to provide the best possible light exposure.
– Fertilizer: Organic fertilizers or well-composted manure should be used. Apply a base layer when planting and regularly apply additional fertilizer during the plant’s growth, flowering, and fruiting periods.
– Pruning: Regularly prune old branches, diseased branches, or overly dense branches to promote air circulation and healthy growth.
– Pest and Disease Control: While gac is generally resistant to pests and diseases, it’s still important to monitor for and prevent common issues such as fruit borers, fungal infections, and powdery mildew.
- Harvesting
Gac usually has one main harvest season each year, which begins in November and lasts until January. This is when the fruit ripens and reaches its best quality. However, with proper care, the plant may also produce a secondary harvest with a smaller yield in May or June.
A mature gac plant can produce between 30-50 fruits per harvest, depending on care and environmental conditions. Each fruit typically weighs between 1.5 to 3 kg.
4. Applications of Gac
Gac is not only a traditional food supplement in Vietnam but also has important applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food industries. Each part of the gac fruit has its own valuable uses:
- Red Aril Around the Seed
The red aril surrounding the seed is the most nutrient-dense part of the gac fruit. It contains a large amount of beta-carotene, lycopene, and unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6, omega-9). Applications of the red aril include:
- Gac Oil Extraction:
Gac oil is extracted from the red aril and is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins. Gac oil is widely used in the functional food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It helps improve cardiovascular health, boosts the immune system, and provides effective skincare benefits.
- Functional Foods:
The red aril can be dried and processed into nutritional supplements due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene, which support vision and overall health.
- Gac Seeds
Gac seeds contain several compounds that are used in traditional medicine. In Vietnamese traditional medicine, gac seeds are used to treat wounds, boils, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The seeds are usually ground into a powder and applied to external wounds, swelling, or pain. However, they are not used for internal consumption due to their toxicity.
- Gac Peel
The peel of the gac fruit is thick and turns reddish-orange when ripe. Although the peel is not commonly used in cuisine or pharmaceuticals, it has some applications, such as being used to make organic fertilizers or for oil extraction in cosmetics.
- Gac Pulp
The gac pulp is pale yellow and lies between the peel and the red aril surrounding the seed. Although not as nutrient-rich as the red aril, the pulp still has value in some applications:
- Food
Gac pulp is often used in traditional dishes like “xôi gấc” (gac sticky rice), providing a vibrant color and some nutritional benefits.
- Food Processing
The pulp can be mashed and used in smoothies or juices, offering a distinctive flavor and adding nutrition to various dishes.
Conclusion:
Thanks to its high nutritional and medicinal value, the gac plant is becoming an economically valuable resource in Vietnam. Products made from gac, such as gac oil, functional foods, and cosmetics, are gaining popularity in international markets. In particular, the gac oil extraction industry and related products are experiencing strong growth potential, attracting interest from many investors and businesses.
5. Gac Oil Produced by VIPSEN
VIPSEN Gac Oil is a standout product with superior nutritional value, containing over 4000 ppm of lycopene and 2000 ppm of beta-carotene, two powerful antioxidants that help protect cardiovascular health and improve vision. The product is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-6, omega-9, and precursor omega-3, which contribute to overall health enhancement. The production process at VIPSEN is strictly controlled to ensure food safety and preserve the natural nutrients, flavor, and color of the oil. VIPSEN also offers professional R&D services, supporting the research and development of gac oil-based products tailored to customer needs, ensuring consistent quality and meeting the diverse demands of the market.
VIPSEN’s manufacturing facility and products are certified to GMP, HACCP, and ISO22000 standards, adhering to the strictest global regulations.
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