Articles
Wild edible fruit cultivation in Balkan Peninsula: a historical journey
Article number
1449_1
Pages
1 – 10
Language
English
Abstract
More recently there is an increasing interest to wild edible fruits grown in the Balkan Peninsula.
Because today, plant-based products that strengthen the immune system of consumers naturally and support people’s health are on the agenda of the food industry, and they are looking for new functional foods and nutraceuticals to meet the increasing demand for plant-based products.
Wild edible fruits are an important component of traditional food but are also central to healthy diets of modern urban population in the region as well.
Even though superficial works have been carried out in the past two decades on the nutritional aspect of wild edible fruits available in the region, yet a large number of species being endemic in nature still remained unexplored and are in wild forms, which are yet to be properly identified and fully exploited.
Detailed information about the characteristics of wild edible fruits in the Balkan Peninsula could lead to a better understanding of the beneficial effects including their utilization in functional foods and as ingredients in nutraceuticals as well as pharmaceuticals.
Because today, plant-based products that strengthen the immune system of consumers naturally and support people’s health are on the agenda of the food industry, and they are looking for new functional foods and nutraceuticals to meet the increasing demand for plant-based products.
Wild edible fruits are an important component of traditional food but are also central to healthy diets of modern urban population in the region as well.
Even though superficial works have been carried out in the past two decades on the nutritional aspect of wild edible fruits available in the region, yet a large number of species being endemic in nature still remained unexplored and are in wild forms, which are yet to be properly identified and fully exploited.
Detailed information about the characteristics of wild edible fruits in the Balkan Peninsula could lead to a better understanding of the beneficial effects including their utilization in functional foods and as ingredients in nutraceuticals as well as pharmaceuticals.
Publication
Authors
S. Ercisli
Keywords
underutilized fruits, composition, diversity
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