_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: Email: kumadaagema@gmail.com; European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety 12(3): 52-66, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.55739 ISSN: 2347-5641 Nutritional Potentials and Uses of Pawpaw (Carica papaya): A Review A. A. Daagema 1* , P. N. Orafa 2 and F. Z. Igbua 1 1 Department of Community Health, Benue State School of Health Technology, Agasha, Nigeria. 2 Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University Wukari, Wukari, Nigeria. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author PNO reviewed on cultivation, production, ecology and uses. Author FZI reviewed on Origin/History, nutritional composition, taxonomy and description. Author AAD reviewed on Phytochemical and nutritional composition, uses and economic importance, allergies, side effect and toxicity as well as compilation, all editorials and correspondence. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/EJNFS/2020/v12i330209 Editor(s): (1) Johnson Akinwumi Adejuyitan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Nigeria. Reviewers: (1) Kiliobas K. Sha’a, Adamawa State Polytechnic, Nigeria. (2) Appachanda Thimmaiah, Maharishi International University, USA. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/55739 Received 01 February 2020 Accepted 06 April 2020 Published 24 April 2020 ABSTRACT Pawpaw is a fast growing fruit tree with edible fruits which are consumed in many countries of the world. The fruits are edible in its unripe and ripe forms such as in salads, juices, smoothies, soups and for therapeutic purposes. Other uses include in medicine and cosmetic industries were the fruits as well as other parts of the tree are used in the production of drugs and several cosmetic items. Pawpaw fruits are rich in several nutrients especially vitamins and minerals however its consumption is low when considered to other popular fruits. Hence this review looks at the nutritional potential of pawpaw fruit as a good micronutrient source just as other fruits. Keywords: Pawpaw; micro-nutrients; malnutrition; fruits. 1. INTRODUCTION Pawpaw is a fast-growing herbaceous, soft- wooded perennial tree-like plant in the Caricaceae family that lives for about 5-10 years [1]. Pawpaw plant is grown across all tropical countries such as Nigeria and many sub-tropical regions of the world [1,2]. In some countries an Review Article