Unveiling the Nutritional Quality of the Sicilian Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.), a Neglected Fruit Species

Although the strawberry tree (A. unedo L.) has been long considered a neglected species of the Mediterranean maquis, the valorization of its fruit production may enhance its socioeconomic value, especially in rural areas. In this study, strawberry trees from different Sicilian sites were investigate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foods Vol. 14; no. 15; p. 2734
Main Authors: Litrenta, Federica, Nava, Vincenzo, Albergamo, Ambrogina, Potortì, Angela Giorgia, Sturniolo, Roberto, Lo Turco, Vincenzo, Di Bella, Giuseppa
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 05.08.2025
MDPI
Subjects:
A. unedo
Arbutus unedo
Berries
bioactive compounds
Carbohydrates
Carotenoids
chemical characterization
Composition
Crop production
Dietary fiber
Fruits
Islands
Linolenic acid
macronutrients
Minerals
Nutritive value
Phenols
Polyphenols
Proteins
Rural areas
Sicilian strawberry tree
Specialty products
Statistical analysis
Strawberries
Sucrose
Tocopherol
Tocopherols
Trees
United States > US
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
Switzerland
Germany
Spain
chemical characterization
minerals
bioactive compounds
macronutrients
A. unedo
Sicilian strawberry tree
ISSN:2304-8158, 2304-8158
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Although the strawberry tree (A. unedo L.) has been long considered a neglected species of the Mediterranean maquis, the valorization of its fruit production may enhance its socioeconomic value, especially in rural areas. In this study, strawberry trees from different Sicilian sites were investigated in terms of macronutrients, fatty acid (FA) composition, tocopherols, total phenols, carotenoids, and minerals. Sicilian berries were a good source of carbohydrates (mainly fructose, glucose and sucrose) and dietary fiber. They were low in fat; however, the FA composition revealed the abundance of unsaturated FAs over saturated FAs and an advantageous n-6/n-3 ratio. Additionally, Sicilian berries showed an inversed linoleic/α-linolenic acid ratio with respect to berries from other Mediterranean regions, that had previously investigated in literature. This evidence suggests that this ratio may have a chemotaxonomic relevance. Considering antioxidants, the fruits had levels of tocopherols, particularly α-tocopherol, total phenols and carotenoids similar to those of certain commercial fruits. Precious amounts of minerals, such as Ca, K, Zn and Fe were also determined. Interestingly, berries harvested near a Sicilian volcanic area had higher levels of minerals, as well as tocopherols, phenols and carotenoids, than fruits from other Sicilian sites, thereby advancing the hypothesis that fruits from volcanic areas may have a superior nutritional value. Overall, data from this study elaborated by a proper statistical analysis revealed that the geographical origin was a relevant variable to consider in the reliable study of this fruit species.
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ISSN:2304-8158
2304-8158
DOI:10.3390/foods14152734