Fruit plants’ natural defences against fungus could prove to be of benefit to cancer sufferers, researchers have claimed.

Nature’s Defence, a research company, has told a recent conference in Lincolnshire that a product based on fruit skin extracts may have benefits.

It said salvestrols, a compound found in food, can induce cell death, particularly targeting an enzyme found only in cancer cells.

The product, called Fruit Force, is expected to undergo full clinical trials next year. The compounds were discovered when Nature’s Defence and the Cancer Drug Discovery Group investigated the link between diet and cancer prevention.