Chilean Wild Berries and the Chemical Cost of Domestication: A New Path for Functional Foods?

Chilean native berries such as Ugni molinae, Aristotelia chilensis, Berberis darwinii, and Berberis microphylla offer significant potential as sources of bioactive ingredients due to their complex profiles of secondary metabolites. Unlike fully domesticated crops, these species are in an early stage of domestication, preserving chemical defense traits and diverse phytochemical profiles that are typically reduced during breeding processes focused on yield and palatability. This early domestication phase maintains a functional balance between growth and defense, promoting the accumulation of phenolic compounds, volatile organic compounds, and other defense-related phytochemicals. These compounds not only enhance the nutritional and functional properties of the fruits but also play key roles in ecological interactions, such as pollination, herbivore resistance, and pathogen defense. Additionally, they influence sensory attributes like aroma, astringency, and color, which are crucial for consumer acceptance and perceived quality. We propose that these underutilized native berries present a strategic opportunity for developing sustainable, health-oriented food systems. By harnessing their unique phytochemical richness and ecological resilience, it is possible to cultivate these wild species as high-value crops without compromising their functional integrity. Understanding the trade-offs between growth and defense is essential to inform future breeding and valorization strategies. In doing so, Chilean native berries can transition from traditional roles to becoming central components in innovative food and nutraceutical formulations that meet the global demand for natural, functional ingredients.