In Vitro Propagation Strategies of Medicinally Important Berry Crop, Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)

Abstract

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is a health-promoting small fruit crop rich in antioxidant metabolites that helps to reduce the incidence of degenerative diseases. Being heterozygous, lingonberries cannot preserve genetic characteristics through seed propagation. Conventional vegetative propagation, although it produces true-to-type plants, is not economically viable. In vitro propagation can multiply plants much faster than conventional methods. A liquid cultures system under a bioreactor micropropagation system is of significant importance to increase the multiplication rates of in vitro-produced shoots. Enhanced vegetative growth and variation in biochemical constituents are observed in micropropagated plants. Clonal fidelity, although it may be a serious problem for commercial micropropagation, can be verified efficiently by molecular markers. The current review provides detailed and updated information on lingonberry micropropagation along with conventional methods and their effects on morphological, molecular and biochemical characteristics in micropropagated plants, filling the gap in literature.

Optimization, Validation and Application of HPLC-PDA Methods for Quantification of Triterpenoids in Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

“…Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry), especially leaves of this plant, can be regarded to be one of the least studied raw materials in the Ericaceae family in terms of triterpenoids, because most studies have tended to focus on phenolic constituents [25][26][27]. This evergreen subshrub with edible fruits has been used for a long time in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract disorders, gastric, liver, skin, respiratory, and rheumatic diseases, because of its strong antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cough, diuretic, reparative, and anticancer activities [26][27][28][29]. Since these multi-biological activities are associated with the phytochemical composition and prevailing phytochemical markers, the distribution of triterpenoids in lingonberry raw materials renders to be an important quality trait for quality and authenticity control.…”

Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Fruits: Chromatographic Analysis of Seasonal and Geographical Variation in Bioactive Compounds

“…Our findings corroborate with the report of Teixeira et al [41], who announced that the accumulation of anthocyanins in berries tends to reach its maximum just in the latest phases of fruit maturation when the synthesis of proanthocyanidins is already stopped and study of Gruz et al [42], wherein the concentrations of phenolic acids decreased as the ripening of tested fruits progressed. Even though the lingonberry plant can withstand cold temperatures, fruits are not persistent and typically their vegetation ends in the first half of autumn [10]. However, due to the warm 2019 winter in Lithuania, we succeeded in finding a small sample of lingonberries on 28 December.…”

“…and the genus Vaccinium L. bear an annual crop of sour-tart taste reddish color berries which has been widely used in traditional Scandinavian diets and are also widespread in Baltic States, Russia, and North America [8,9]. Lingonberry fruits are regarded as nonpoisonous, natural, and safe food, which can be consumed not only in fresh and frozen forms but also processed into juice, wine, jam, jellies, pastries, and other desserts [10,11]. These products are often classified as 'superfoods' due to their richness of dietary micronutrients and bioactive compounds [9].…”

Phenological and Geographical Effects on Phenolic and Triterpenoid Content in Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Leaves

“…Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.; family Ericaceae), otherwise known as cowberry, partridgeberry, and foxberry, is an evergreen dwarf shrub with underground rhizomes widely distributed throughout Northern, Central European, Canadian, and Russian countries' forests. Lingonberry is extremely hardy, tolerating cold climate, drought, and diverse habitats-from exposed, dry slopes and peat soils to ombrotrophic bogs [1][2][3][4]. Fruits of lingonberry are gaining notoriety as "superfoods", because of health benefits deriving from their consumption and their significant economic importance [5].…”