Differentiatión of maqui (aristotelia Chilensis) genotypes according to their anthocyanin content as a criterión of selectión for its commercial productión

Abstract

There is an increasing international demand for new health products, and the ethnic character of certain raw materials has gained particular interest (Raghavan, 2004; Seeram, 2008, Sloan, 2009). This market requires products with certain standard active ingredients and production-level certifications, such as traceability and safety. These factors have generated the need for scientific and technological knowdledge for the proper use of native plant resources. This knowledge includes domestication, selection and breeding of the native species as well as the standardization of raw material quality based on its health properties. Among these raw materials, the maqui fruit (Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) from Chile has acquired special interest (Seeram, 2008). The family Elaeocarpaceae includes 10 worldwide genus and 400 species. In Chile exist two genus (Crinodendron and Aristotelia) and three species (C. hookerianum, C. patagua y A. chilensis) (Rodriguez et al. 1983). Maqui is an evergreen species that is distributed from Limarí (Region IV) to Aisen (XI Region), in both the Central Valley and the Andes Mountain, from near sea level up to 2,500 m above sea level (Rodriguez et al., 1983). The fruits are small berries, which are sold mainly in local markets (Hoffmann, 1982; Montenegro, 2002). For the Mapuche culture, the plant is a sacred symbol of "good intentions." In folk medicine the leaves are used as an infusion for throat diseases. Fruits are used as an antidiarrheal. Based on the ethnobotanical properties, local people prepare a maqui wine called "tecu" and the juice is used as a dye (Montes and Wilkomirsky, 1987; Meza and Villagran, 1991, Muñoz et al., 2001). The health benefits of maqui have been attributed to its high polyphenol content, as well as to the variety of anthocyanins and flavonols in both its leaves (Avello et al., 2008) and fruits (Araya et al., 2006). The polyphenol and anthocyanin content of maqui fruit is higher than other introduced and cultivated species (Miranda-Rottmann et al., 2002, Araya et al., 2006). Escribano-Bailon et al. (2006) identified eight anthocyanins in maqui fruit; delphinidin derivatives (73%) predominate and delphinidin-3-glucoside-5-sambubioside has been described as the main anthocyanin (34% of total anthocyanins). Antioxidant activity of maqui fruit is highly correlated with its anthocyanin content (Miranda-Rottmann et al., 2002). Maqui fruit phenolic extracts have also shown antioxidant activity in-vivo (Céspedes et al., 2008). A standardized anthocyanin-rich formulation from maqui fruit has shown anti-diabetic effects invitro and in-vivo (Rojo et al., 2012). Recently, selection and breeding programs of some plant species have been incorporating the determination of bioactive compounds as an evaluation criterion. For example, in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa L.) breeding programs, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity are considered as quality parameters complementary to yield, sensory characteristics, disease resistance and adaptation to specific cultivation conditions (Capocasa et al., 2008a, 2008b). Another important example is the selection and breeding of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpum), whose anthocyanin content (Tacy) has been considered an essential parameter in obtaining new varieties (Vorsa 2007, 2008).