Promising bioactive compounds and biological activities of native Brazilian berries from Myrtaceae and Arecaceae families

The Arecaceae and Myrtaceae families are widespread across Brazil. They include many of Brazil's native fruit species. Local communities use these plants for many purposes. Their health impacts come from bioactive compounds, notably phytochemicals. These compounds are crucial for managing chronic diseases and can serve as antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this review aimed to present and discuss the importance of commercialization, consumption, and development of new products from some plant matrices native to Brazil, such as purple-araçá, bacaba, cherry of Rio Grande, grumixama, juçara, and pitanga with emphasis on the phenolic profile and functional potential as agents in biological activities. The information presented herein serves as a foundation for enhancing practices ranging from cultivation and consumption to the formulation of innovative ingredients and food products. This emphasis is particularly relevant for underexplored fruits, such as purple-araçá and bacaba, which possess untapped potential for further investigation and application.