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Review
. 2014 Sep 30;19(10):15799-823.
doi: 10.3390/molecules191015799.

Arbutus unedo L.: chemical and biological properties

Maria G Miguel  1 , Maria L Faleiro  2 , Adriana C Guerreiro  2 , Maria D Antunes  2
Affiliations
Review

Arbutus unedo L.: chemical and biological properties

Maria G Miguel et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree) has a circum-Mediterranean distribution, being found in western, central and southern Europe, north-eastern Africa (excluding Egypt and Libya) and the Canary Islands and western Asia. Fruits of the strawberry tree are generally used for preparing alcoholic drinks (wines, liqueurs and brandies), jams, jellies and marmalades, and less frequently eaten as fresh fruit, despite their pleasing appearance. An overview of the chemical composition of different parts of the plant, strawberry tree honey and strawberry tree brandy will be presented. The biological properties of the different parts of A. unedo and strawberry tree honey will be also overviewed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Some simple phenolics found in A. unedo fruits collected in Samsun (Turkey).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Some chemical structures of galloyl derivatives, tannins and flavonols present in A. unedo fruits.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structures of the most abundant proanthocyanidins present in A. unedo fruits.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structures of some phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, of A. unedo fruits collected in Italy.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structure of vitamin E and some carotenoids of A. unedo fruits.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Chemical structure of some triterpenes found in fruits and other parts of A. unedo.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Chemical structures of some organic acids found in A. unedo L.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Chemical structures of markers of the botanical origin of strawberry tree honey.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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