Abstract
In recent years, growing attention has been focused on the utilization of natural sources of antioxidants in the prevention of chronic diseases. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) represents a lesser known fruit species utilized mainly as juices, purees, jams, jellies and wine, as important food colorants or nutritional supplements. The fruit is valued as a great source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols and flavonols), particularly cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside, as well as (−)-epicatechin units. The berries of A. melanocarpa, due to the presence and the high content of these bioactive components, exhibit a wide range of positive effects, such as strong antioxidant activity and potential medicinal and therapeutic benefits (gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative or anti-inflammatory activities). They could be also contributory toward the prevention of chronic diseases including metabolic disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, because of supportive impacts on lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure levels.
Highlights
In recent years, the utilization of natural products has substantially increased following the trends of chronic diseases reduction
That is a reason why Aronia species are at the top of fruits and berry species and why they display the wide range of activities in relation to chronic diseases, especially heart and cardiovascular [18,19,20] ones, involving antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive and antiplatelet properties [17]
This review aims to summarize particular phenolic components of the lesser known fruits of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), their bioavailability, antioxidative properties and health-promoting benefits in relation to chronic diseases
Summary
The utilization of natural products has substantially increased following the trends of chronic diseases reduction. The small blueberry-sized black or dark violet color fruits of Aronia melanocarpa shrub are of great interest to researchers because they have, to other distinguished fruit types [1,2,3,4,5,6], one of the highest levels of antioxidants [7] Berry crops, especially those underutilized (elderberry, honeyberry and black chokeberry), are widely recognized as valuable source of bioactive compounds used as natural food colorants and for health-promoting activities [8]. This review aims to summarize particular phenolic components of the lesser known fruits of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), their bioavailability, antioxidative properties and health-promoting benefits in relation to chronic diseases. Shown are the new trends of fruit utilization and its situation among other valuable sources of berry crop and lesser known fruit species
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