The scientific name for papaya is Carica papaya, and it is a member of the Caricaceae family. It is a large plant with rapid growth and a brief lifespan. The stem is typically straight but might branch sometimes. It is slender, turgid, cylindrical, smooth, spongy, juicy, hollow, and grey in color. It has a diameter of 10 to 30 cm and a height between 2 and 10 meters. Large scars left behind by the fall of leaves and inflorescences have stiffened it.

Physical description

The papaya is a tropical fruit, oval or pear-shaped, measuring 10 to 20 centimeters and usually weighing between 500 and 1000 g, although it can weigh up to 5 kilograms. It is a thin-skinned berry with yellow-green and orange colors. The pulp is red-orange or yellow, sweet and very succulent. Inside the fruit is a cavity containing gray-black seeds. Young leaves and green papaya can also be cooked and consumed like vegetables.

Papayas are grown for their pulp and dried seeds. Ripe fruit is usually eaten fresh, sliced, with sugar and lime juice or in fruit salads. Ripe green papaya. Some of the by-products made from this fruit are:
jams, soft drinks, ice cream and jellies, as well as preservatives.

It is low in calories and provides very little protein and fat. It is rich in vitamins A, C and potassium. In addition, it contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins, resulting in a very digestible fruit.

Benefits

• Asthma Prevention

Papaya contains a compound known as beta-carotene. This compound has been shown to be able to reduce the risks of getting asthma

• Cancer Prevention

The beta-carotene compound found in the fruit has also been shown to help prevent cancer.  A study showed that beta-carotene diets helped reduce the risks of prostate cancer.

• Bone health

Papaya also contains vitamin K which helps the body absorb calcium much more effectively, thus resulting in better bone health