Comparison of Health-Relevant Polyphenolic Component Content and Bioavailability of Bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus L.), Blueberry (Vaccinium Sect. Cyanococcus Rydb.) and Chokeberry (Aronia Melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott)

Abstract

The fruit-based dietary supplement business is flourishing, and many plant bioactive compounds exhibit beneficial effects on health. Polyphenols, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols, phenolic acids and flavanols in bilberry, blueberry and chokeberry, are the bio-factors that determine the biological activities of the three berries. Many reports on phenolic compounds and their biological activities in berries have been published. Therefore, it is urgent to make a systematic comparison among them. We reviewed these scientific researches about phenolic substances including their compositions, contents and bioavailability from the bilberry, blueberry and chokeberry. On this basis, the phenolic compounds regarding monomer components and their contents in the three berries were systematically summarized. Variations of anthocyanidins within interspecies and different families were explained. Biological properties including biostability and bioavailability of anthocyanin and prospects for further study on berries were contained.