title: Berries from South America: a comprehensive review on chemistry, health potential, and commercialization.
abstract: Dietary intake of berry fruits has been demonstrated to positively impact human health. Interest in exploring new and exotic types of berries has grown in recent years. This article provides botanical descriptions and reviews the chemistry, biological activities, and commercialization of berry-producing plants from South America, specifically Aristotelia chilensis, Euterpe oleracea, Malpighia emarginata, Ugni molinae, Fragaria chiloensis, Rubus glaucus, Rubus adenotrichus, and Vaccinium floribundum. These species possess a rich and diversified composition of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. The most significant health benefits have been attributed to phenolic compounds and vitamin C, potentially protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although both traditional folk medicine and composition of these berries suggest significant health benefits, few studies to date have investigated these potentials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Elisa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Schreckinger
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lotton
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lila
authors.forename: Elvira Gonzalez
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Mejia
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003132:Commerce; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010636:Phenols / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013020:South America
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols; D028321:Plant Preparations; D001205:Ascorbic Acid