Bioactive compounds and health benefits of exotic tropical red-black berries

Tropical countries produce a large amount of native and exotic fruit species which are potentially interested in the food industry. The nutritional and therapeutic values in this fruits are mainly due to the presence of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols. The anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid family and represent a group of pigments responsible for most of the colors in fruits, leaves, flowers, stems and roots of plants. Several investigations have focused on the health benefits of consumption of red-black fruit, claiming these as natural sources of bioactive compounds with highly promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Furthermore, the consumption of red-black berries brings a positive impact on several chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. This article summarizes the foremost bioactive compounds and the health properties of exotic tropical red-black berries, specifically Euterpe oleracea, Eugenia uniflora, Myrciaria cauliflora, Myrciaria dubia, Syzygium cumini. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.