Patagonia is home to a little-explored but immensely valuable natural treasure: native berries. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information has focused its lens on these natural jewels, revealing their healthy and functional potential, deserving our full attention.
The analysis highlights the extraordinary content of polyphenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, present in berries that we work with at Bayas del Sur, such as maqui, murta, calafate, and strawberry. These compounds imbue them with a range of properties, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects, transforming them into powerful allies for health and well-being.
The study not only provides a general overview of these berries but also emphasizes the quality, composition, processing, and domestication of these species. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges they face in conservation and valorization as traditional foods and natural heritage, underlining their cultural and nutritional importance.
Another relevant aspect emerging from the study is the benefits and advances in the drying and microencapsulation methods of maqui and murta, illustrating how these processes impact the stability of bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins. Techniques like freeze-drying (FD, freeze-dried) and hot air drying (40 to 80 °C, dehydrated) have shown beneficial effects on phenolic compounds and bioavailability, depending on temperature and exposure time.
Microencapsulation with inulin or sodium alginate, meanwhile, has proven to be a valuable strategy, improving the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins in maqui juices compared to unencapsulated juice. Detailed research on the combined drying of murta berries and the characterization of fruits such as the native Chilean strawberry and murta has provided valuable insights into their potential and differences between genotypes. At Bayas del Sur, we are constantly striving to provide our customers with valuable and quality information that complements their purchases. In the case of this study, it conclusively reveals not only the nutritional value of berries from southern Chile but also their role in the heritage and legacy of this region. We invite you to appreciate and spread quality information about our products. We are here to help you!
