Vaccinium Genus Berry Waxes and Oils

Vaccinium is a common and widespread genus of about 450 species of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae). Most of Vaccinium species produce edible berries and many berries are widely cultivated at an industrial scale, for example, bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), and cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.). These berries are important articles in the markets of berries in Northern countries both raw, and processed. Vaccinium berries are at first valued considering high vitamin concentrations as well as high concentrations of phenolics. However, also oils and waxes (lipids) of Vacciniu…