Prunus mume, commonly known as Japanese apricot, ume, or Chinese plum, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to East Asia. It is celebrated for its fragrant blossoms and tart fruit, which are used in a variety of culinary and medicinal applications. The plant has a rich cultural significance, particularly in Japan and China, where it is revered for its aesthetic beauty and versatility.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Rosaceae
• Genus: Prunus
• Species: Prunus mume

Plant Characteristics:

Growth Form:Prunus mume is a deciduous tree or shrub that can reach heights of 4-10 meters (13-33 feet). It has a rounded canopy and can be grown as a tree or a bush depending on pruning.

Leaves: The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, with serrated edges, and turn yellow in the fall. They are generally 5-10 cm long and have a slightly wavy margin.

Flowers: The plant produces fragrant, small white or pink flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. The flowers have five petals and are borne singly or in clusters.

Fruit: The fruit is a drupe, typically spherical and greenish-yellow when ripe, with a sour taste. The fruit measures about 3-5 cm in diameter and is used in various culinary preparations.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

• Essential Oils: Prunus mume contains essential oils that contribute to its aromatic qualities. The essential oil profile includes compounds such as benzyl alcohol and phenyl ethyl alcohol.
• Organic Acids: The fruit is rich in organic acids, such as citric acid and malic acid, which contribute to its tart flavor and have potential health benefits.
• Polyphenols: The plant contains polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and tannins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (1)
• Vitamins: The fruit is a source of vitamins, including vitamin C, which contributes to its antioxidant properties.

How to Cultivate It:

Soil:Prunus mume prefers well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). It can tolerate a range of soil types but performs best in fertile conditions.

Climate: The plant thrives in temperate climates with a cold winter period to satisfy its chilling requirements. It prefers full sun exposure but can tolerate partial shade.

Watering: Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilization: A balanced fertilizer can be applied in early spring to promote healthy growth and fruiting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers and fruit.

Pruning: Pruning is necessary to maintain the plant's shape, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage better fruit production. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Uses and Benefits:

• Culinary Uses: The fruit of Prunus mume is used in a variety of culinary applications, including pickling to make umeboshi (a traditional Japanese pickled plum), as a flavoring in sauces and dressings, and in beverages like ume wine.
• Medicinal Uses: (2) The plant has been used in traditional medicine for its potential digestive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Umeboshi, in particular, is believed to aid digestion and provide energy.
• Cosmetic Uses: Extracts from Prunus mume are used in some cosmetic products for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. They may be included in skincare formulations to enhance skin texture and tone.

Applications:

• Food Industry: The fruit is widely used in the food industry for its unique tart flavor and preservation qualities. It is used in pickles, sauces, and flavored beverages.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Traditional uses of Prunus mume in herbal medicine may lead to its inclusion in natural health products and supplements aimed at digestive health and overall wellness.
• Cosmetic Industry: The plant's extracts are used in skincare products for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to the development of anti-aging and revitalizing formulations.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Environmental Impact: Prunus mume is generally non-invasive and does not pose significant environmental risks. It can be grown in garden settings and contributes to biodiversity by attracting pollinators such as bees.
• Safety: The plant and its fruit are considered safe for consumption and use. However, individuals with allergies to other members of the Rosaceae family (e.g., apples, cherries) should use caution.

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Zhao F, Du L, Wang J, Liu H, Zhao H, Lyu L, Wang W, Wu W, Li W. Polyphenols from Prunus mume: extraction, purification, and anticancer activity. Food Funct. 2023 May 11;14(9):4380-4391. doi: 10.1039/d3fo01211e. PMID: 37092717.

Abstract. Prunus mume is an ancient medicinal herb and food that are commonly used in Asian countries with high nutritional ingredients and biological activities. Polyphenols are important functional components in Prunus mume. To obtain a more efficient extraction process of Prunus mume polyphenols, a single-factor test and response surface method were used. After extraction and purification, the final polyphenol content of Prunus mume (L1) was up to 90%. Biological experiments showed that L1 had high anticancer activity against HeLa (125.28 μg mL-1), HepG2 (117.24 μg mL-1), MCF-7 (170.19 μg mL-1), and A549 (121.78 μg mL-1) in vitro by MTT assay. The combination of DDP and DOX significantly enhanced the anticancer activity of the four cell lines, especially L1-DOX had the smallest IC50 value of 0.04 μg mL-1 against HepG2 cells, indicating the combination of drugs had synergistic effects. It is further demonstrated that L1 could inhibit cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis with ROS detection and confocal fluorescence images. The relative tumor proliferation rate (T/C) was 40.6%, and the tumor inhibition rate was 57.9%, indicating L1 to have no significant toxicity but high anti-HepG2 activity in vivo. Although the study is very limited, it is anticipated to provide a reference for further exploration of the functionality of the plant.

(2) Bailly C. Anticancer properties of Prunus mume extracts (Chinese plum, Japanese apricot). J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jan 10;246:112215. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112215. Epub 2019 Sep 3. PMID: 31491438.

Tian T, Cao H, Farag MA, Fan S, Liu L, Yang W, Wang Y, Zou L, Cheng KW, Wang M, Ze X, Simal-Gandara J, Yang C, Qin Z. Current and potential trends in the bioactive properties and health benefits of Prunus mume Sieb. Et Zucc: a comprehensive review for value maximization. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(24):7091-7107. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2042186. Epub 2022 Feb 24. PMID: 35199615.

Abstract. Prunus mume Sieb. Et Zucc (P. mume) is an acidic fruit native to China (named Chinese Mei or greengage plum). It is currently cultivated in several Asian countries, including Japan ("Ume"), Korea (Maesil), and Vietnam (Mai or Mo). Due to its myriad nutritional and functional properties, it is accepted in different countries, and its characteristics account for its commercialization. In this review, we summarize the information on the bioactive compounds from the fruit of P. mume and their structure-activity relationships (SAR); the pulp has the highest enrichment of bioactive chemicals. The nutritional properties of P. mume and the numerous uses of its by-products make it a potential functional food. P. mume extracts exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperuricaemic properties, cardiovascular protective effects, and hormone regulatory properties in various in vitro and in vivo assays. SAR shows that the water solubility, molecular weight, and chemical conformation of P. mume extracts are closely related to their biological activity. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the fruit's potential nutritional and functional therapeutic mechanisms. The industrial process of large-scale production of P. mume and its extracts as functional foods or nutraceuticals needs to be further optimized.

Seneviratne CJ, Wong RW, Hägg U, Chen Y, Herath TD, Samaranayake PL, Kao R. Prunus mume extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against pathogenic oral bacteria. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2011 Jul;21(4):299-305. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2011.01123.x. Epub 2011 Mar 15. PMID: 21401748.