Small Brazilian wild fruits: Nutrients, bioactive compounds, health-promotion properties and commercial interest

• Published in: Food research international Vol. 103; pp. 345 - 360
• Main Authors: Neri-Numa, Iramaia Angélica, Soriano Sancho, Renata A., Pereira, Ana Paula Aparecida, Pastore, Glaucia Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Bactris gasipes; Byrsonima verbascifolia; Euterpe oleraceae; Mauritia flexuosa; Myrciaria cauliflora; Myrciaria dúbia; Ascorbic acid (PubChem CID: 54670067); Cyanidin 3-glucoside (PubChem CID: 182463); β carotene (PubChem CID: 5280489); Byrsonima verbascifolia; Tocopherol (PubChem CID: 14985); Euterpe oleraceae; Myricetin (PubChem CID: 5281672; Ellagic acid (PubChem CID: 5281855); Velutin (PubChem CID: 5464381); Resveratrol (PubChem CID: 445154); Protocatechuic acid (PubChem CID: 72); Mauritia flexuosa; Bactris gasipes; Myrciaria cauliflora; Myrciaria dúbia; Casuarictin (PubChem CID: 73644)
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.10.053

Brazilian berries present great nutritional, functional and economic characteristics comparable to temperate berries. They constitute an important innovation domain for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, due to their positive health effects and market potential. The main objective of this review was to describe the physicochemical, nutritional and biological aspects of six Brazilian small native wild fruits from the Arecaceae (açaí, buriti and pupunha), Mirtaceae (camu-camu and jaboticaba) and Malpighiaceae (murici) families, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-lipidaemic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antigenotoxic potential among others. It also discussed some relevant topics for new studies that could be of benefit to industry and improve the local economy where these fruits are found. Thus, the dissemination of the works already carried out with these fruits strategically relevant can stimulate new lines of research to consolidate this new field for the food industries.
[Display omitted]
•Native Brazilian berries represent a good source of bioactive compounds.•These fruits present great nutritional, economic, and social potential.•Brazilian berries intake is linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory modulation.•Brazilian berries have functional potential such as those of the temperate regions.