Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review

Teixeira, Filipa; Silva, Ana Margarida; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Rodrigues, Francisca

doi:10.3390/ijms24054777

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Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review

REQUIMTE/LAQV, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal

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Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4777; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054777

Submission received: 26 January 2023 / Revised: 26 February 2023 / Accepted: 28 February 2023 / Published: 1 March 2023

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Properties of Plant Bioactive Compounds: Immune, Antioxidant and Metabolic Effects)

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Abstract

Lycium barbarum L. is a species widely used in dietary supplements and natural healthcare products. The berries, also known as goji or wolfberries, mostly grow in China, but recent reports on their outstanding bioactive properties have increased their popularity and cultivation around the world. Goji berries are a remarkable source of phenolic compounds (such as phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, organic acids, carbohydrates (fructose and glucose), and vitamins (ascorbic acid). Several biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and anticancer activities, have been associated with its consumption. Hence, goji berries were highlighted as an excellent source of functional ingredients with promising applications in food and nutraceutical fields. This review aims to summarize the phytochemical composition and biological activities, along with various industrial applications, of L. barbarum berries. Simultaneously, the valorization of goji berries by-products, with its associated economic advantages, will be emphasized and explored.

Keywords: goji berries; pro-healthy effects; phenolics; biological properties; functional ingredients

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MDPI and ACS Style

Teixeira, F.; Silva, A.M.; Delerue-Matos, C.; Rodrigues, F. Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 4777. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054777

AMA Style

Teixeira F, Silva AM, Delerue-Matos C, Rodrigues F. Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(5):4777. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054777

Chicago/Turabian Style

Teixeira, Filipa, Ana Margarida Silva, Cristina Delerue-Matos, and Francisca Rodrigues. 2023. "Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, no. 5: 4777. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054777

APA Style

Teixeira, F., Silva, A. M., Delerue-Matos, C., & Rodrigues, F. (2023). Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(5), 4777. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054777

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Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review

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