Chemical and nutritional value of Colombian Ericaceae with edible fruits

The Ericaceae family, widely distributed across Colombia, includes 287 species within 23 genera, exhibiting significant biodiversity with around 60 % of the species being endemic. While Ericaceae species like cranberry and blueberry are renowned worldwide for their nutritional and economic value, South American species, particularly in Colombia, remain underexplored despite their promising nutritional and health benefits. Thus, the objective of this review is to explore the current knowledge on the chemical and nutritional composition of Colombian Ericaceae with edible fruits, shedding light on their functional effects for human consumption. Data collection for this review involved a literature search across Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and ISI Web of Science, filtering studies to focus on endemic Colombian Ericaceae. The evidence synthesis has proven invaluable in discerning chemical diversity, health implications and, to a certain extent, the nutritional properties of species like Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, Vaccinium meridionale Sw., Disterigma Alaternoides (Kunth) Neid. and Cavendishia nitida (Kunth) A.C.Sm. These species have been studied for their rich content of bioactive metabolites, like cyanidin glycosides, other types of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, indigenous knowledge highlights the use of some Ericaceae species for medicinal purposes, further emphasizing their pharmacological potential. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the interaction of their bioactive profiles in the food matrix, as well as the composition and therapeutic applications of the lesser-known species, Cavendishia bracteata (Ruiz & Pav. ex J.St.Hil.) Hoerold, Gaultheria erecta Vent., Macleania rupestris (Kunth) A.C.Sm., and Thibaudia floribunda Kunth.