Vaccinium Genus Berry Waxes and Oils

Abstract

Vaccinium is a common and widespread genus of about 450 species of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae). Most of Vaccinium species produce edible berries and many berries are widely cultivated at an industrial scale, for example, bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), and cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.). These berries are important articles in the markets of berries in Northern countries both raw, and processed. Vaccinium berries are at first valued considering high vitamin concentrations as well as high concentrations of phenolics. However, also oils and waxes (lipids) of Vaccinium berries have high diversity in respect to their composition as well as the high potential of their applications. Vaccinium berry oils and waxes can be obtained and produced from berry press residues-berry juice processing wastes. From Vaccinium berry seeds oils, a high amounts of triglycerides as well as fatty acids, alkanes, alkanols, terpenoids and other lipids can be isolated. Several sterols also can be found in Vaccinium berry oils. From the perspective of practical applications, following groups of substances are of interest: sterols, terpenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.