Aronia mitschurinii – New generation of super fruits with multiple health benefits

Abstract

Aronia mitschurinii is a cultivated, intergeneric, fruit-bearing plant presently being grown throughout the world for its nutritious berry-like fruit. This fruit is made into various consumable products like juices, wine, and jams, or for extracts and dry powders. Researchers have extensively studied the chemical composition and nutritional attributes of this fruit, including a comparison between its wild parent-plant A. melanocarpa, and cultivars within the intergeneric species of A. mitschurinii. Studies revealed that fruit of both species boast one of the highest levels of phenolic antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins. Fruit like blueberries (Vaccinium sp), blackberries (Rubis sp.), açai palm (Euterpe oleracea), and more that are considered today as a good source of anthocyanins, all have much less than fruit from either A. melanocarpa or A. mitschurinii. We attribute them to a new generation of super-fruits. Over the past 17 years, Drs. Ristvey and Volkis have been at the forefront of an in-depth investigation into cultivars of A. mitschurinii grown in Maryland. Their comprehensive study encompasses aspects such as cultivation methods, practical applications, comparative analysis, and the extraction of antioxidants. In this short review, we will delve into the historical trajectory of A. mitschurinii in both the United States and Eastern Europe, explore its cultivation techniques and phytochemical composition, investigate its phenological anthocyanin and sugar maturation during the ripening process, examine its potential health benefits, and explore its diverse applications.