Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) Flavonoids and Their Health Promoting Activity

• Published in: Molecules
• Main Authors: Tunde Jurikova, Jiri Mlcek, Sona Skrovankova, Stefan Balla, Jiri Sochor, Mojmir Baron, Daniela Sumczynski
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2016
• Subjects: flavonoids; polyphenols; phenolic acids; anthocyanins; antioxidant activity; Organic chemistry; QD241-441; Crowberry; Empetrum nigrum
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21121685; https://doaj.org/article/62ffdd65450842448893d9372eff1653

Nowadays, much research attention is focused on underutilized berry crops due to the high antioxidant activity of fruits. Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) represents an important source of flavonols (quercetin, rutin, myricetin, naringenin, naringin, morin, and kaempferol) and anthocyanins. The fruit components could be utilised as natural colourants or as a part of functional foods and, because of the high antioxidant activity, the berries of black crowberry can be used in the treatment of diseases accompanied with inflammation, or as an effective antibacterial and antifungal remedy. Moreover, the reduction of lipid accumulation and total cholesterol as well as an improvement of postprandial hyperglycaemia have been proven. This review summarizes for the first time the main antioxidants (flavonoids) of black crowberry fruits, with a focus on their health promoting activity.