General Aspects and Applications of Juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro Mart.): Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Antimicrobial Potential

Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., commonly known as juazeiro, is a tree species native to the Brazilian semi-arid region. It produces yellow drupe fruits with white, mucilaginous pulp known as juá. Various parts of the plant, such as its leaves and stem bark, have been widely used in traditional medicine to treat wounds, ulcers, and dermatitis, as well as to combat fever and bacterial infections. While its fruits are highly recommended for human consumption due to their nutritional composition, they also present significant potential for exploration as a raw material rich in biological properties. This is evidenced by their traditional use in folk medicine and other phytotherapeutic applications, such as the utilization of the trunk bark for oral hygiene and in the production of cosmetics and shampoos, owing to its saponin content, which possesses foaming properties. This review aims to present the relevant literature on Z. joazeiro Mart. while highlighting the comparatively limited attention given to the fruit, particularly regarding its bioactive and functional properties associated with the presence of antioxidant compounds.