Nutritional and nutraceutical properties of wild blueberry: cahuiche (Vaccinium leucanthum Schltdl.)

Abstract

Objective: to determine the physical and chemical characteristics, the nutritional components and the nutraceuticals of the fruits of cahuiche at consumption maturity, harvested in five places in the town of Ciénega Grande, Omitlán, Hidalgo. 

Design/methodology/approach: Fruits harvest were carried out under simple random sampling. A proximal and mineral, morphological and chemical analysis (sugars, total soluble solids and acidity) were carried out on the fruits. Six extraction solvents were used (except for vitamin C) for the evaluation of the content of nutraceutical compounds (anthocyanins, phenols, flavonoids and total tannins) and antioxidant activity, in order to identify the one with the highest extraction yield.

Results: The cahuiche presented high values ​​(expressed in fresh weight) of Ca (43.24 mg 100 g^-1), S (28.61 mg 100 g^-1), protein (1.95 g 100 g^-1), lipids (1.67 g 100 ^-1) and crude fiber (6.67 g 100 ^-1). In addition to high concentrations of anthocyanins (267.50 mg EC 100 g^-1) and phenolic compounds (407.36 EAG 100 g^-1). The use of methanol-H₂O-HCl (90:10:1) allowed obtaining the best extraction yields of anthocyanins and total soluble phenolics.

Limitations on study/implications: Follow-up research is needed to evaluate the nutritional value and antioxidant compound content of cahuiche products, since fruit is mostly processed into jam.

Findings/conclusions: Cahuiche is an underutilized wild blueberry with high potential for use as a crop, being a species with high nutritional and nutraceutical value.