An overview of the nutritional value, health properties, and future challenges of Chinese bayberry

Abstract

Chinese bayberry (CB) is among the most popular and valuable fruits in China owing to its attractive color and unique sweet/sour taste. Recent studies have highlighted the nutritional value and health-related benefits of CB. CB has special biological characteristics of evergreen, special aroma, dioecious, nodulation, nitrogen fixation. Moreover, the fruits, leaves, and bark of CB plants harbor a number of bioactive compounds including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, vitamin C, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins that have been linked to the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective properties and to the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The CB fruits have been used to produce a range of products: beverages, foods, and washing supplies. Future CB-related product development is thus expected to further leverage the health-promoting potential of this valuable ecological resource. The present review provides an overview of the botanical characteristics, processing, nutritional value, health-related properties, and applications of CB in order to provide a foundation for further research and development.

Metabolomic analysis to unravel the composition and dynamic variations of anthocyanins in bayberry-soaked wine during the maceration process

“…is an edible fruit native to East Asia with popularity for its attractive color and delicious taste, and is also highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties ( Ren et al, 2021 , Sun et al, 2013 , Zhang et al, 2022a ). Modern pharmacological studies have proved that bayberry extracts possess multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects owing to the presence of various bioactive compounds like vitamins, flavonoids and phenolic acids ( Ju et al, 2018 , Liu et al, 2020 , Lyu et al, 2021 , Tu et al, 2022 , Zhang et al, 2022a ). Due to the extreme perishability of the fresh fruit, the harvested bayberries are often used for processing, in addition to fresh consumption.…”

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Beta-Galactosidase Family Members in Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra)

“…et Zucc.) belongs to the Myricaceae family, with Myrica as its predominant genus, comprising about 50 species [1]. It is a subtropical plant native to China that has been cultured for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries [2].…”

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of Chinese bayberry MrSPL4 that enhances growth and flowering in transgenic tobacco

“…et Zucc. , of the family Myricaceae , is a native, economically important tree in South China where it is particularly concentrated in the south of the Yangtze River Basin ( Zhang et al., 2022 ). Its fruit, Chinese bayberry, is not only soft, juicy and rich in flavor, but in addition to ecological benefits, it also has medical uses.…”