Aprune is adried plum, most commonly from theEuropean plum (Prunus domestica) tree. Not allplum species or varieties can be dried into prunes.[1] Use of the termprune for fresh plums is obsolete except when applied to varieties of plum grown for drying.[2] In this usage, a prune is the firm-fleshed plum fruit ofP. domestica varieties that have a high soluble solids content and do notferment duringdrying.[3]
Most prunes arefreestone cultivars (i.e., thepit is easy to remove), whereas most plums grown for fresh consumption areclingstone (the pit is more difficult to remove). Thesorbitol content of dietary fiber likely provides thelaxative effect associated with consuming prunes. Prunes are 64% carbohydrates, includingdietary fiber, 2% protein, a rich source ofvitamin K, and a moderate source ofB vitamins anddietary minerals.
More than 1,000 plum cultivars are grown for drying. The main cultivar grown in the United States is the 'Improved French' prune. Other varieties include 'Sutter', 'Tulare Giant', 'Moyer', 'Imperial', 'Italian', andgreengages. Fresh prunes reach the market earlier than fresh plums and are usually smaller in size. The great majority of commercially grown prune varieties areself-fertile and do not need separate pollinator trees.[4]
In 2001, plum growers in the United States were authorized by theFood and Drug Administration to call prunes "dried plums".[5] Due to a perception that prunes relieveconstipation (perceived asderogatory), some distributors stopped using the word "prune" on packaging labels in favor of "dried plums".[6]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 1,006 kJ (240 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63.88 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 38.13 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 7.1 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.38 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.18 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water | 31 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated usingUS recommendations for adults,[7] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from theNational Academies.[8] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prunes containdietary fiber (about 7% of weight) which may providelaxative effects,[9] but prune juice also has a laxative effect without containing fiber.[9] Theirsorbitol content may also be responsible for this, a conclusion reached in a 2012 review by theEuropean Food Safety Authority.[10] The report also demonstrated that prunes effectively contribute to the maintenance of normal bowel function in the general population if consumed in quantities of at least 100 grams (3.5 oz) per day.[10]Neochlorogenic acid andchlorogenic acid may also contribute to the laxative effect.[9]
Prunes are 31% water, 64%carbohydrates, 2%protein, and less than 1%fat (table). In a reference amount of 100 g (3.5 oz), prunes supply 240calories, 7 grams of dietary fiber, and are a rich source ofvitamin K (50% of theDaily Value, DV),copper (31% DV), andpotassium (24% DV), with severalB vitamins (12-14% DV) and otherdietary minerals in moderate content (10–13% DV) (table).
Prunes andprune juice containphytochemicals, includingphenolic compounds (mainly asneochlorogenic acids andchlorogenic acids) andsorbitol.[9]
Prunes are used in preparing bothsweet and savorydishes.[10]
Contrary to the name, boiled plums or prunes are not used to makesugar plums, which instead may be nuts, seeds, orspices coated with hard sugar, also calledcomfits.[11]
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