Health Benefits of Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds in the Fruits and Leaves of <i>Lonicera caerulea</i> L. and <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> (Michx.) Elliot
Bogdan-Stefan Negreanu-Pirjol,
Ovidiu Cristian Oprea,
Ticuta Negreanu-Pirjol,
Florentina Nicoleta Roncea,
Ana-Maria Prelipcean,
Oana Craciunescu,
Andreea Iosageanu,
Victoria Artem,
Aurora Ranca,
Ludmila Motelica,
Anca-Cristina Lepadatu,
Madalina Cosma,
Dan Razvan Popoviciu
Affiliations
Bogdan-Stefan Negreanu-Pirjol
Faculty of Pharmacy, Ovidius University of Constanta, Capitan Aviator Al. Serbanescu Street no. 6, Campus, Corp C, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Ovidiu Cristian Oprea
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu no. 1-7, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Ticuta Negreanu-Pirjol
Faculty of Pharmacy, Ovidius University of Constanta, Capitan Aviator Al. Serbanescu Street no. 6, Campus, Corp C, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Florentina Nicoleta Roncea
Faculty of Pharmacy, Ovidius University of Constanta, Capitan Aviator Al. Serbanescu Street no. 6, Campus, Corp C, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Ana-Maria Prelipcean
National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, Splaiul Independentei no. 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Oana Craciunescu
National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, Splaiul Independentei no. 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Andreea Iosageanu
National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, Splaiul Independentei no. 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Victoria Artem
Research-Development Station for Viticulture and Winemaking of Murfatlar, Calea Bucuresti no. 2, Constanta County, 905100 Murfatlar, Romania
Aurora Ranca
Research-Development Station for Viticulture and Winemaking of Murfatlar, Calea Bucuresti no. 2, Constanta County, 905100 Murfatlar, Romania
Ludmila Motelica
National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei no. 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Anca-Cristina Lepadatu
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanta, University Alley no.1, Campus, Corp B, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Madalina Cosma
Research-Development Station for Viticulture and Winemaking of Murfatlar, Calea Bucuresti no. 2, Constanta County, 905100 Murfatlar, Romania
Dan Razvan Popoviciu
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanta, University Alley no.1, Campus, Corp B, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Lonicera caerulaea L. and Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot fruits are frequently used for their health benefits as they are rich in bioactive compounds. They are recognized as a source of natural and valuable phytonutrients, which makes them a superfood. L. caerulea presents antioxidant activity three to five times higher than other berries which are more commonly consumed, such as blackberries or strawberries. In addition, their ascorbic acid level is the highest among fruits. The species A. melanocarpa is considered one of the richest known sources of antioxidants, surpassing currants, cranberries, blueberries, elderberries, and gooseberries, and contains one of the highest amounts of sorbitol. The non-edible leaves of genus Aronia became more extensively analyzed as a byproduct or waste material due to their high polyphenol, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content, along with a small amount of anthocyanins, which are used as ingredients in nutraceuticals, herbal teas, bio-cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, food and by the pharmaceutical industry. These plants are a rich source of vitamins, tocopherols, folic acid, and carotenoids. However, they remain outside of mainstream fruit consumption, being well known only to a small audience. This review aims to shed light on L. caerulaea and A. melanocarpa and their bioactive compounds as healthy superfoods with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic effects, and hepato-, cardio-, and neuro-protective potential. In this view, we hope to promote their cultivation and processing, increase their commercial availability, and also highlight the ability of these species to be used as potential nutraceutical sources, helpful for human health.