Sloe berry, scientific name Prunus spinosa L., is a thorny shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. Sloe berry is also called “blackthorn,” “wild blackthorn,” or “wild plum.”
This article consists of three headings; while the first care describes the features of the sloe berry plant, the headings further down the page cover its health benefits and future potential.
Characteristics of Sloe Berry
Sloe berry, known as its homeland of Anatolia and the Caucasus, has a widespread reach in Western, Central and Northern Anatolia, Europe, Northwest Africa, the Caucasus and Northwest Iran, and grows naturally up to an altitude of 2200 meters.
Sloe berry is a plant resistant to cold weather conditions and drought and can grow in different soil types. It is found naturally, especially on forest edges, open areas and bushes. It is a plant that can quickly grow in poor soils, making it valuable in preserving ecological diversity.
Sloe berry is a plant species that grows wild, usually in the form of a thorny shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 3-4 meters. Sloe berries bloom with white flowers between March and May and bear fruit between June and September.
Its leaves are dark green, oval and have serrated edges. Its fruits are 1-2 cm in diameter and have a small, round, and bitter taste in purple-black color. The peel of its fruit is a mixture of blue and purple colors, while its interior is similar to green tones.
Sloe berry is known for its large seeds and sharp sour taste. For this reason, its direct consumption is not preferred. However, it can be evaluated in many ways, such as jam, marmalade, sherbet, compote, vinegar, fruit juice and pickle. The fruits that ripen in autumn lose their bitter taste, especially after the first cold weather.
Due to its sour taste, the fruit is also used in the food industry to produce alcoholic beverages such as liqueur. Dried flowers of sloe berry have been preferred in tea making since ancient times. With its rich nutritional content and health benefits, it has many uses, from traditional medicine to the modern food industry.
Health Benefits of Sloe Berry
Rich in bioactive components, sloe berry has an important place in traditional medicine with its versatile benefits in terms of health.
In the field of phytotherapy, sloe berry is frequently used for,
• cough treatment,
• antispasmodic (effect that helps relax the smooth muscles covering the walls of the internal organs; antispasmodic effect)
• anti-inflammatory effects (the effect that reduces inflammation and edema).
Sloe berry has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties thanks to anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid compounds. These effects can reduce the risk of inflammation and infection. Antioxidants can prevent the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases by preventing cellular damage.
This plant, known since the 19th century thanks to its pharmaceutical properties, can be applied as a gargle on the oral and pharyngeal mucosa to benefit from its anti-inflammatory effect. The syrup obtained from sloe berries has long been widely preferred in treating gum and tonsillitis.
The leaves of this fruit are known for their ability to relieve constipation problems, its fruits for their hemostatic and laxative effects, and its flowers for their worm-reducing and diuretic properties.
The flowers of the sloe berry are used for many ailments, such as;
• respiratory diseases,
• indigestion,
• bloating,
• stomach cramps,
• intestinal disorders,
• edema,
• kidney and
• bladder problems.
The main reason sloe berry is widely used in the medical, pharmacy and food sectors is that it contains valuable components such as vitamins, carotene, essential oils and organic acids. In addition, it is of great importance in preventing cardiovascular diseases since it contains many anthocyanins with potent antioxidant properties.
The high antioxidant content of sloe berry supports the immune system and reduces oxidative stress by combating free radicals. Its fruits contain anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, minerals and organic acids. The fruit also contains vitamins A and C. With these aspects, sloe berry strengthens the immune system and stimulates metabolism.
Compounds such as malic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid give the fruit a unique sour taste and increase its health benefits.
Studies have determined that chlorogenic acid is the most dominant phenolic compound in the fruit. Gallic acid, proto-catechuic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and benzoic acid are also phenolic compounds detected in different amounts in sloe berries.
Sloe berry is also a rich source of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, sulfur, sodium and calcium. Studies have found that it also contains small amounts of selenium and zinc.
The flowers of this plant are also quite strong in terms of flavones and glycosides. As it is known, phenolic compounds and potassium support heart health. In addition, due to its antioxidant effects, it helps lower bad cholesterol levels and protect vascular health.
The fibrous structure of sloe berry regulates bowel movements and relieves problems such as constipation. In addition, organic acids and prebiotic properties support the digestive system by supporting the intestinal microbiota.
Editor’s Note: In a study we conducted with our team in 2017, we produced ice cream with sloe berry and examined some of its characteristics.
Dr. Halil İbrahim AKGÜL
As a result of the study, we determined that the addition of sloe berries significantly increased the antioxidant effect in ice cream, a pleasant taste emerged as a result of sensory analysis, and sloe berry has a very high coloring property; therefore, it can be used in the food industry as a natural colorant.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal International Journal of Food Engineering in 2019. If you are interested, read the article for more detailed information about the study: Urkek B., Sengul M., Akgul H.I., Erkaya Kotan T., 2019. Antioxidant Activity, Physiochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Ice Cream Incorporated with Sloe Berry (Prunus spinosa L.)
Consumption and Future Expectations
Sloe berry (Prunus spinosa L.) stands out as a fruit that can be used in functional foods and natural health products, drawing attention with its nutritional value and health benefits.
Sloe berry is an economically sustainable resource due to its spontaneous growth in natural environments. It is collected by the public in rural areas of Anatolia and used in homemade products.
Research on sloe berry samples collected from different regions has revealed that the fruit’s biochemical content and taste profile vary depending on the area where it grows. This feature provides information about the genetic diversity of the plant and its adaptation to environmental factors while increasing its potential to be used in different areas of use.
Sloe berry has an important place in functional food production. When used with probiotic supplements, it can increase the effects that support intestinal health. In addition, since it is shown among natural antioxidant sources, it can be used as a preservative in processed foods.
Recent studies have investigated the effect of this fruit on some types of cancer. According to the results obtained, it was determined that sloe berry has an effect on brain cancer cells.
On an industrial scale, this plant can contribute to supporting local economies. Sloe berries are increasingly important, especially in organic farming practices. This is because it is a preferred plant species due to its low maintenance costs and ability to adapt to various soil conditions.
Sloe berry is an important plant species not only for the food and pharmaceutical industry but also from an ecological perspective. Sloe berry helps prevent erosion in bush areas and supports biodiversity. Its dense bush structure provides shelter for birds and other wildlife. At the same time, it contributes as a nectar source for bees. As a result, its flowers are a nectar source for bees, while its fruits are important as a food source for birds and mammals.
Its rich biochemical content, antioxidant properties and versatile use make this plant an important resource in both traditional and modern food and health applications. Further research and development studies can increase the potential of sloe berry and contribute to the sustainable evaluation of this valuable plant. Sloe berry deserves more attention as an important local resource for both health and the economy.
Another wild fruit that is very beneficial in terms of health; Black Rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L.); Overview, Composition and Benefits
References
Ercisli, S. 2004. A short review of the fruit germplasm resources of Turkey. Gen. Res. Crop Evol. 51, 419–435.
Erturk, Y., Ercisli, S., Tosun, M. 2009. Physico-chemical characteristics of wild plum fruits (Prunus spinosa L.). International Journal of Plant Production, 3 (3): 89-92.
Çelik, F., Gündoğdu, M., Alp, S., Muradoğlu, F., Ercişli, S., Gecer, M.K. Canan, I. 2017. Determination of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and organic acids contents of Prunus domestica L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. and Prunus spinosa L. fruits by HPLC. Acta Chromatographica 29(4):507-510.
Karakas N, Okur ME, Ozturk I, Ayla S, Karadag AE, Polat DÇ. 2019. Antioxidant Activity of Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) Fruit Extract and Cytotoxic Effects on Various Cancer Cell Lines. Medeni Med J. 34(3):297-304.
İlhan, G. 2023. Sensory evaluation, biochemical, bioactive and antioxidant properties in fruits of wild blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) genotypes from northeastern Türkiye. Horticulturae 9(9):1052.
Be First to Comment