blueberry Blueberry (Vaccinium cyanococcus) Family: Ericaceae Genus: Vaccinium Species: Cyanococcus

 

Blueberries are plants of the genus Vaccinium (as cranberries and bilberries) with dark-purple to dark-blue berries. The blueberries and are native to North America while in Europe can be found only as cultivated.

It should not be confused with the European bilberries (Vaccinium myrtilis), which are the other species within the same genus. The fruit is a berry 5–16 millimeters in diameter with a flared crown at the end. The blueberries are pale greenish at first, then reddish-purple, and finally indigo (dark blue) when ripe.

The blueberries are native in North America but also commercially grown in in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries. The highbush blueberry crop season in US begins in early spring on the West coast and in the South and moves north where the last berries are harvested in November. 

Human food

The blueberry fruit is commonly used to make juices, different jams and dishes. Blueberry pie is a favourite one. Blueberries are utilized in hundreds of food industry applications. Non alcoholic beverages 17%, snacks 12%, dairy 11%, bakery 22%, sweet-spreads 8%, sugar confectionery 7%, desserts and ice-cream 6%, cereals 4%, chocolate confectionery 4% and other applications 3%.

Medical uses

Blueberries have been called the "super fruits" because of high content of antioxidants. Blueberries contain: 80-270 mg//100 g of anthocyanidins (1). The American Cancer Society placed the blueberry at the top of its list of foods beneficial in prevention of the risk of certain types of cancer. Pterostilbene, a substance that is supplied by blueberries, has been linked to reducing your risk of colon cancer (2).

Cosmetic and Beauty Products Industry

Blueberry-extract is important source of antioxidants for cosmetic and beauty products. The benefits of antioxidants come from their ability to minimize the oxidative damages caused by free radicals, UV-light and environmental pollutants. Blueberry seeds are rich in unsaturated oils with a potential as cosmetic actives.

Industrial use

About 50 percent of all blueberries produced go to the "fresh market" sector. The remaining blueberries go to food industry and other industrial usages. Blueberry products are today highly sought after worldwide. The Japanese blueberry market for food and naturopathic (alternative medicine)products is worth billions.

Fresh or frozen blueberries, air dehydrated to approximately 10-20% of humidity are later grounded to berry powder. Today, blueberry powder is being consumed by thousands of people all across globe but it is also an important raw material for making dietary supplements. Both blueberry powder and extract are found in dietary supplements.

Sources

1. USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods, Agricultural Research Service. March 2003.
2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070325111552.htm