Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate and compare the in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activities, and the polyphenolic content of the Nord-West Romanian wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) leaves from three different natural habitats (Smida, Turda, Borsa). In the case of both species, the flavanols level was higher in Smida habitat (altitude 1100 m), whereas quercetin derivates were more abundant in Borsa habitat (altitude 850 m). The bilberry leaf extracts contained in the highest amounts the feruloylquinic acid (59.65 ± 0.44 mg/g for Borsa habitat) and rutin (49.83 ± 0.63 mg/g for Borsa habitat), and showed relevant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity (271.65 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Borsa habitat, 262.77 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Smida habitat, and 320.83 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Turda habitat), for all the three extracts. Gallocatechin was the dominant flavanol in lingonberry species, with the highest amount being registered for Smida habitat (46.81 ± 0.3 mg/g), revealing a DPPH antioxidant activity of 251.49 mM Trolox/100 g plant material. The results obtained in the antimicrobial tests showed that the best inhibitory effect among bilberry species was attributed to the Turda (altitude 436 m) and Smida locations, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. For lingonberry, the differences in habitat did not influence the antibacterial effect, but the antifungal effect, only in the case of Candida zeylanoides. A strong antimutagenic effect was registered by the bilberry leaves toward Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Our study may be able to provide a better understanding of the correlation between natural habitat conditions and the accumulation of secondary metabolites and their related bioactivities in studied leaves.
Highlights
Most recent epidemiological studies have reported that certain medicinal plants can be responsible for preventing the development or evolution of several diseases [1,2,3,4]
This study aims to provide a better understanding of the correlation between natural habitats and the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and their related bioactivities: antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic
Considering that the chemical composition of the Nord-West Romanian wild bilberry and lingonberry leaves has never been the subject of a scientific paper to best of our knowledge, this study aimed to determine the phenolic composition of bilberry and lingonberry leaves and to measure their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimutagenic activities, whereas the antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of the leaves are of significant novelty
Summary
Most recent epidemiological studies have reported that certain medicinal plants can be responsible for preventing the development or evolution of several diseases [1,2,3,4]. The naturally-derived antioxidants are a topic of major interest considering their proven health effects on humans [2,5], and to gradually replace the synthetic antioxidants that have been reported as endocrine disrupters or even carcinogenic compounds [6,7]. Dietary polyphenols have diverse therapeutic uses and several proven biological properties [1,8,9,10,11], being of important consideration to study their varieties in medicinal plants and natural foods [12]. Vaccinium species are constantly reported for their diversity in phenolic compounds [14,15,16], whereas cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), being more debated than lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), contributed to their high consumption rate under several forms: as fresh fruits, processed products, and dietary supplements. Recent literature reported that lingonberry occupies a significant position in the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity ranking of Vaccinium-derived species [17,18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
