Abstract
Although the medicinal properties of berry fruit are well known, there is relatively little information available concerning the applications of other parts of berry plants. Thus, in this study we determined the nutritional value of the leaves of selected berry species and their possible application in health promoting diets. The levels of nutrients, and macro- and microelements in the leaves of four species collected from allotment gardens in the city of Szczecin, Poland (53°26′17″ N, 14°32′32″ E; altitude 7 m a.s.l.) were identified: raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.), and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). Sea buckthorn leaves were the richest source of protein, raspberry leaves had the highest levels of lipids, and the leaves of all four species studied were a rich source of crude fibre and dietary fibre fractions. Desirable Ca:P and Na:K ratios indicated their potential as a good source of minerals essential to bone formation and the treatment of hypertension. Sea buckthorn leaves contained high but also safe Fe levels (within recommended WHO limits) and, therefore, may become an alternative rich source of this element.
Highlights
The constant increase in the incidence of diet-related chronic diseases has revealed the disadvantages of the popular nutrition model, and growing awareness in this regard has resulted in increased interest in health foods
Sea buckthorn leaves were the richest source of protein, raspberry leaves had the highest levels of lipids, and the leaves of all four species studied were a rich source of crude fibre and dietary fibre fractions
The highest dry mass level was found in dried sea buckthorn leaves, 6 % more than in chokeberry
Summary
The constant increase in the incidence of diet-related chronic diseases has revealed the disadvantages of the popular nutrition model, and growing awareness in this regard has resulted in increased interest in health foods. These products – containing bioactive substances that may help prevent or treat metabolic diseases – include berries, most commonly found in the temperate zones in the northern hemisphere. Known to be a rich source of minerals, vitamins, pectins, fats, simple sugars and organic acids (including phenols and essential oils), the fruit of many berry species have been valued for their therapeutic properties since ancient times (Hummer, 2010). In order to confirm their potentially beneficial role in human and animal nutrition, the aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional values of the leaves of selected berry species in the context of their application in health promoting diets
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