What Is Acerola? Other Names: Antilles Cherry, Barbadoskirsche, Malpighia emarginata

What is Acerola?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Acerola, scientifically known as Malpighia emarginata or Malpighia glabra, is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree that is highly valued for its rich nutritional content, particularly its exceptionally high levels of vitamin C. Native to the Caribbean and Central and South America, acerola has gained popularity both in domestic and international markets due to its health benefits and versatility in various food products. Other names include: Acérola, Acerola Cherry, Antilles Cherry, Barbados Cherry, Barbadoskirsche, Cereja das Antilhas, Cereja do Para, Cerejeira das Antilhas, Cereso, Cereza, Cerise de Cayenne, Cerise de la Barbade, Cerise des Antilles, Cerise de la Barbade, Cerisier, Cerisier de Barbade, Cerisier des Antilles, Chereese, Grosella, Puerto Rican Cherry, Semeruco, West Indian Cherry, West Indies Cherry, Westindische Kirsche. Malpighia emarginata, Malpighia glabra, Malpighia punicifolia, Malpighia retusa.

Nutritional Value

Acerola is renowned for its high ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content, which significantly surpasses that of other commonly known vitamin C sources like oranges. The fruit also contains other essential nutrients, including vitamins A and B, and various minerals. The high vitamin C content makes acerola a potent antioxidant, contributing to its health-promoting properties2 5 8.

Cultivation and Varieties

Acerola can adapt to a range of soil and climatic conditions, making it a viable crop in diverse agricultural settings. In Brazil, for instance, breeding studies have focused on improving acerola genotypes to produce fruits with uniform chemical and physical attributes, including high vitamin C levels. These studies have identified significant variability in fruit quality among different genotypes, highlighting the potential for selective breeding to enhance desirable traits2.

Post-Harvest Conservation

One of the challenges with acerola is its high perishability due to its climacteric nature, which leads to rapid deterioration after harvest. To address this, various conservation techniques, such as the application of edible coatings, have been explored. These coatings form barriers on the fruit surface, reducing gas exchange and moisture loss, thereby extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of the fruit during storage1.

Health Benefits

Acerola and its by-products have been studied for their beneficial effects on health, particularly in the context of dyslipidemia and obesity. Research has shown that acerola by-products can improve intestinal health and lipid metabolism, reduce body weight, and protect against tissue damage in dyslipidemic conditions. These effects are attributed to the dietary fibers and phenolic compounds present in the fruit3 6.

Propagation and Seedling Development

Propagation of acerola can be achieved through various methods, including the use of natural rooting agents and indolebutyric acid (IBA) treatments. Studies have shown that the presence of leaves and the application of IBA can significantly enhance the rooting success of acerola cuttings. Additionally, the use of different water sources for irrigation, including agro-industrial effluents, has been evaluated for its impact on seedling development, with some combinations proving to be viable alternatives4 9 10.

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Uses of Acerola

Health Benefits

Intestinal Health and Lipid Metabolism

Acerola by-products can improve intestinal health and lipid metabolism in dyslipidaemic conditions. They help reduce body weight, visceral fat, liver fat, and serum lipid levels while increasing beneficial gut bacteria and organic acids in feces1.

Obesity Management

Acerola by-products can aid in managing obesity by improving redox homeostasis in adipose tissue and reducing subcutaneous fat without altering overall body weight2.

Antioxidant Properties

Acerola fruit powder has significant antioxidant effects, which can be utilized in food products to improve quality and shelf life. For example, it helps maintain the quality of caiman meat nuggets during frozen storage3.

Skin Health

Acerola extract, when combined with other nutrients, can improve skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density, making it a valuable component in nutraceuticals aimed at enhancing skin health6.

Food Preservation

Edible Coatings

Edible coatings made from acerola can extend the shelf life of the fruit by reducing moisture loss and maintaining visual and sensory quality during storage4.

Natural Food Additives

Acerola juice powder can be used as a natural source of sodium nitrite and sodium ascorbate in meat products, providing a clean label alternative to synthetic additives while maintaining product quality5.

Livestock Feed

Rumen Fermentation

Pretreatment of acerola fruit residue with sodium hydroxide or urea can enhance its degradability and reduce methane production during rumen fermentation, making it a beneficial feed additive for livestock7.

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Adverse Effects of Acerola

Animal Studies

Body Weight Reduction: In a study involving dyslipidaemic female Wistar rats, acerola by-products caused a reduction in body weight by approximately 3.42%1.

Digestive Changes: Acerola by-products led to decreased faecal pH and increased faecal moisture and fat excretion. These changes could potentially affect digestive health, although they were associated with positive outcomes like increased beneficial gut bacteria1.

No Significant Adverse Effects in Lambs: In another study on lambs, the inclusion of dehydrated acerola pulp residue in their diet did not significantly affect intake, digestibility, or nitrogen balance. This suggests that acerola pulp residue is relatively safe for lambs at various inclusion levels2.

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How has Acerola Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cardiovascular Outcomes: Acarbose did not significantly reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, hospital admission for unstable angina, and hospital admission for heart failure, compared to placebo1.

Diabetes Incidence: Acarbose was effective in reducing the incidence of diabetes. The development of diabetes was less frequent in the acarbose group (13%) compared to the placebo group (16%)1.

Adverse Events: Gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events leading to drug discontinuation or dose changes, occurring more frequently in the acarbose group (7%) than in the placebo group (5%)1.

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Acerola Mechanisms of Action

Reduction in Body Weight and Fat

Acerola by-products contribute to a reduction in body weight and visceral fat in dyslipidaemic female rats1.

Improvement in Lipid Metabolism

Acerola supplementation leads to decreased liver fat and serum lipid levels, which are crucial for managing dyslipidaemia1.

Enhancement of Intestinal Health

Acerola by-products decrease faecal pH and increase faecal moisture, which are indicators of improved intestinal health1.

There is an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., and higher amounts of organic acids in the faeces, which are beneficial for gut health1.

Protection Against Tissue Damage

Acerola helps protect the colon and liver from tissue damage, such as the destruction of liver and colon cells and increased fat deposition in hepatocytes, which are induced by a dyslipidaemic diet1.

Role of Dietary Fibres and Phenolic Compounds

The positive effects of acerola are likely associated with its dietary fibres and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its functional properties1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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