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Vaccinium myrtillus

Bilberry, is a blue coloured fruit native to northern Europe although found in some parts of North America and Asia. It looks very similar with the blueberry but is slightly smaller in size. It is round in shape and the plant is a shrub growing in temperate climates. Bilberry is very popular for it being naturally a rich source of anthocyanins, and due to which it gets its blue/black colour and high antioxidant content. Many reports show that, the fruit consists of many bioactive compounds which are beneficial to the health in indefinite ways. Many studies claim that the fruit helps to lower the blood glucose level in the body and also exhibits anti-inflammatory activities to enhance the immune system.

Mode of Consumption: Mostly consumed Raw, Used to prepare Juice, Jam, Pickles Dried fruits etc

Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Vaccinium myrtillus L.
Family: Ericaceae Durande
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Genus: Vaccinium L.
Fruiting Season: August to september
Fruting Condition: Unripe


    Ripe fruits.


    Ripe fruits.


    Ripe and unripe fruits together on tree.

    Compound/Chemical Immunomodulatory Activity Pathway Immunomodulatory Marker
    Fruit extractAnti-inflammatory activityImunomodulatory effect of anthocyanin rich extract of this fruits against human Caco-2 intestinal cells.NF-κB, IL-1β[2]
    Fruit extractAntioxidant acitvityInhibit the lipid peroxidation and to scavenge hydroxyl and superoxide radical.[2]
    Fruit extractAnti-inflammatory activityThe fruit extracts exhibited antiinflammatory activity aginst the COX-2 inhbitors. TNF-alpha, COX-2[2]
    Major Class Metabolites
    Phenolic acidFlavylium perchlorate(Whole fruit), 2-Coumarinate(Whole fruit), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(Whole fruit)
    SterolIridoid(Whole fruit), Pectin(Whole fruit)
    TanninBis (acetic acid); Tannins(Whole fruit)
    Traditional Practice Diseases Plant Part Additional Knowledge
    NANAFruitReduces ulcerative colitis in mild to moderate conditions[3]
    NANAFruitreduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease by inducing favorable changes in lipoprotein profiles[4]
    04.1.2.5, 04.1.2.4, 04.1.2.12
    Incompatible with Milk, Curd and cheese

    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India