ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the nutritional composition, antioxidant properties, and health effects of mulberry fruits through a compilation and synthesis of the available studies. The mulberry fruits contain high contents of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, fiber, minerals, and vitamins but a relatively low energy value. Mulberry fruits are recognized to present a high nutritional value and a high content of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and polysaccharides. In addition, acids, terpenoids, ketones, and volatile phenols were also present in mulberry fruit but in lower levels, compared with alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. Recent studies are discussed concerning the evaluation of health function of mulberry fruits in terms of antioxidant activities, antidiabetic and antiobesity effects, protection against xenobiotic toxicity, and neuroprotection, among others. Up to now, human clinical trials on the bioavailability of mulberry bioactive compounds and on the pharmacological activities of mulberry fruits are still limited.
