Genetic Diversity in Brazilian Fruits: Mangaba, Jenipapo, and Cambuí

Brazilian flora is the most diverse in the world and provides highly nutritious food. The fruit trees highlighted in this chapter are mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes—Apocynaceae), jenipapo (Genipa americana L.—Rubiaceae), and cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd) O. Berg.—Myrtaceae). They have not yet reached the same level as other Brazilian fruits commercially grown such as pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.], cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), and passion fruit (Passiflora spp.), but have great social, economic, and cultural importance in their areas of occurrence. These Brazilian fruit trees are not only source of income and food for many small farmers and local communities but also have nutraceutical properties, which can be immediately used. Being closely connected to daily life, they play a relevant cultural role for the populations from Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. The first one, Mangaba, has six botanical varieties and the fruit is one of the main raw materials for agribusiness in the Northeast and Midwest regions of Brazil. The second is Jenipapo, which has social, economic, and cultural importance in the areas where it occurs, being a fruit rich in iron and vitamins. Third, Cambuí fruits have a high concentration of vitamin C and flavonoids. The knowledge of the genetic diversity found in natural populations and gene banks has been deeply important to select materials with outstanding agronomic characteristics and to create strategies for future breeding programs of these species. Genetic diversity studies have been developed due to the necessity to create conservation strategies. In addition, spreading the use of these species is important so that the population knows about them before their complete disappearance. Finally, the knowledge of the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential of these native fruits is essential to provide an effective contribution of these species to the bioeconomy.