Fragaria chiloensis, commonly known as the Chilean strawberry or coastal strawberry, is a species of strawberry native to the coastal regions of South America, including Chile and Argentina. It is recognized for its distinctive large, sweet, and aromatic red berries, and is one of the parent species of the modern cultivated strawberry.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Rosaceae
• Genus: Fragaria
• Species: Fragaria chiloensis

Plant Characteristics:
Fragaria chiloensis is a perennial herbaceous plant that forms low-growing rosettes. It produces runners that spread out from the main plant, allowing it to propagate vegetatively. The leaves are trifoliate with serrated edges, and the plant produces white to pale pink flowers that give rise to large, juicy red strawberries. The plant is well adapted to coastal environments, thriving in sandy, well-drained soils.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
The strawberries from Fragaria chiloensis and the plant itself contain a variety of beneficial compounds:

Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and some B vitamins.

Minerals: Contains essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Antioxidants: High in antioxidants including flavonoids, ellagic acid, and phenolic compounds, which help combat oxidative stress.

Organic Acids: Includes citric and malic acids, contributing to its tart flavor and potential health benefits.

Dietary Fiber: Contains fiber that supports digestive health.

How to Cultivate It:

• Climate: Prefers temperate coastal climates with mild temperatures. It is tolerant of cooler temperatures and coastal salt spray.
• Soil: Thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
• Sunlight: Requires full sun for optimal fruit production.
• Watering: Needs regular watering, particularly during dry periods. Ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot.
• Pruning: Remove runners and dead leaves to maintain plant health and promote fruit production.

Uses and Benefits:

• Culinary Uses: The fruit is enjoyed fresh, in desserts, and as a flavoring in various dishes. It is also used in jams, jellies, and sauces.
• Medicinal Uses: Traditionally used for its antioxidant properties and potential benefits to cardiovascular health. The fruit is believed to support immune function and provide general health benefits.
• Economic Uses: Valued in commercial fruit production and used in breeding programs to enhance cultivated strawberry varieties.

Cosmetic Uses:

• Antioxidants: The high levels of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and ellagic acid, help protect the skin from free radical damage, reducing signs of aging and promoting a youthful appearance.
• Hydration: Strawberry extracts are used in skincare products to enhance skin hydration and softness.
• Brightening: The antioxidants and vitamins in strawberry extracts may help brighten the complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
• Exfoliation: Natural acids in strawberries can help exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting a smoother and more radiant skin surface.
• Anti-inflammatory: Strawberry extracts have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.

CAS: 95193-64-9

EC number 305-877-6

Applications:

• Skincare Products: Used in creams, masks, and serums for their hydrating, anti-aging, and brightening effects.
• Exfoliating Treatments: Incorporated into exfoliating products to help remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
• Brightening Products: Formulated to address uneven skin tone and pigmentation issues.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew. Regular monitoring and management are required.
• Invasive Potential: Not typically considered invasive but can spread if conditions are favorable.
• Safety: Generally regarded as safe for topical application. However, like all extracts, it should be used in accordance with established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. People with allergies or very sensitive skin should be careful.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Otero C, Klagges C, Morales B, Sotomayor P, Escobar J, Fuentes JA, Moreno AA, Llancalahuen FM, Arratia-Perez R, Gordillo-Fuenzalida F, Herrera M, Martínez JL, Rodríguez-Díaz M. Anti-Inflammatory Chilean Endemic Plants. Pharmaceutics. 2023 Mar 10;15(3):897. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030897. PMID: 36986757; PMCID: PMC10051824.

Abstract. Medicinal plants have been used since prehistoric times and continue to treat several diseases as a fundamental part of the healing process. Inflammation is a condition characterized by redness, pain, and swelling. This process is a hard response by living tissue to any injury. Furthermore, inflammation is produced by various diseases such as rheumatic and immune-mediated conditions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Hence, anti-inflammatory-based treatments could emerge as a novel and exciting approach to treating these diseases. Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and this review introduces various native Chilean plants whose anti-inflammatory effects have been evaluated in experimental studies. Fragaria chiloensis, Ugni molinae, Buddleja globosa, Aristotelia chilensis, Berberis microphylla, and Quillaja saponaria are some native species analyzed in this review. Since inflammation treatment is not a one-dimensional solution, this review seeks a multidimensional therapeutic approach to inflammation with plant extracts based on scientific and ancestral knowledge.

Cheel J, Theoduloz C, Rodríguez J, Saud G, Caligari PD, Schmeda-Hirschmann G. E-cinnamic acid derivatives and phenolics from Chilean strawberry fruits, Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Nov 2;53(22):8512-8. doi: 10.1021/jf051294g. PMID: 16248546.

Abstract. Three E-cinnamic acid glycosides, tryptophan, and cyanidin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from ripe fruits of the Chilean strawberry Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis. 1-O-E-Cinnamoyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-beta-D-rhamnopyranoside, and 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-alpha-xylofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranose are reported for the first time. The cinnamic acid glycosides and aromatic compound patterns in F. chiloensis fruits were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analyses of extracts showed that cyanidin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and free ellagic acid are present in achenes while the E-cinnamoyl derivatives and tryptophan were identified only in the thalamus. The free radical scavenging effect of the fruit extract can be associated with the anthocyanin content.

González M, Gaete-Eastman C, Valdenegro M, Figueroa CR, Fuentes L, Herrera R, Moya-León MA. Aroma development during ripening of Fragaria chiloensis fruit and participation of an alcohol acyltransferase (FcAAT1) gene. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Oct 14;57(19):9123-32. doi: 10.1021/jf901693j.

Abstract. Fragaria chiloensis is characterized for having great aroma and flavor properties. Using headspace-SPME different volatile compounds were identified and quantified during development and ripening of the fruit. The headspace was dominated by esters, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate being the most abundant in fully ripe fruit. As esters are important for aroma and synthesized through alcohol acyltransferases (AAT), a full-length cDNA (FcAAT1) was isolated from F. chiloensis fruit which displayed the three motifs characteristic of most AATs. As the production of esters increased during ripening, a clear increment in FcAAT1 transcripts was observed in fruit tissue. A good correlation was found between AAT activity and the total content of esters, especially with acetates and hexanoates. Aroma-related esters displayed during ripening the same production profile as AAT activity. Therefore it can be suggested that the FcAAT1 gene may have a significant role in ester production of F. chiloensis fruit.

Schreckinger ME, Lotton J, Lila MA, de Mejia EG. Berries from South America: a comprehensive review on chemistry, health potential, and commercialization. J Med Food. 2010 Apr;13(2):233-46. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0233. 

Abstract. Dietary intake of berry fruits has been demonstrated to positively impact human health. Interest in exploring new and exotic types of berries has grown in recent years. This article provides botanical descriptions and reviews the chemistry, biological activities, and commercialization of berry-producing plants from South America, specifically Aristotelia chilensis, Euterpe oleracea, Malpighia emarginata, Ugni molinae, Fragaria chiloensis, Rubus glaucus, Rubus adenotrichus, and Vaccinium floribundum. These species possess a rich and diversified composition of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. The most significant health benefits have been attributed to phenolic compounds and vitamin C, potentially protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although both traditional folk medicine and composition of these berries suggest significant health benefits, few studies to date have investigated these potentials.

Chamorro MF, Reiner G, Theoduloz C, Ladio A, Schmeda-Hirschmann G, Gómez-Alonso S, Jiménez-Aspee F. Polyphenol Composition and (Bio)Activity of Berberis Species and Wild Strawberry from the Argentinean Patagonia. Molecules. 2019 Sep 12;24(18):3331. doi: 10.3390/molecules24183331.

Abstract. The Argentinean Patagonia berries Berberis microphylla, Berberis darwinii, and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica were investigated for their polyphenol content and composition by means of liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase) of the fruit extracts was assessed. The most complex polyphenol profile was found in the Berberis samples, with 10 anthocyanins, 27 hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 proanthocyanidins, 2 flavan-3-ol, and 22 flavonols. Fragaria presented four anthocyanins, nine ellagitannins, two proanthocyanidin dimers, one flavan-3-ol, and five flavonols. The Berberis samples showed the best antioxidant capacity, while Fragaria displayed better activity against α-glucosidase and lipase. The phenolic content and composition of the Argentinean Patagonia berries was similar to that reported for Chilean samples but with some chemical differences between Eastern (Argentina) and Western (Chile) Patagonia. The data obtained supports the consumption of these berries as sources of beneficial polyphenols.