Fitoquímica del género Vaccinium (Ericaceae)

background: phytochemistry of genus vaccinium (ericaceae) was reviewed. methods: napralert and phytochemical and ethnobotanical database as well as available literature were accessed. results: a great number of research studies and compounds of 32 species and 23 cultivars were found. predominant metabolites -mainly in the fruit- were benzenoids, flavonoids (cyanidines, hyperoside, epi-cathequine and proanthocyanidines) and phenylpropanoids. geographic distribution of research studies showed that a high number of indigenous latin-american species has not yet been studied as part of a research work. conclusions: the potential of biologically active compounds of this genus represents a likely successful field to develop herbal medicines or nutritional supplements.