Development, Validation, and Application of the UPLC-DAD Methodology for the Evaluation of the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds in the Fruit of American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton).

Rima Urbstaite,Lina Raudone,Valdimaras Janulis,Mindaugas Liaudanskas

doi:10.3390/molecules27020467

Abstract

Phenolic compounds in the fruit of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other biological effects. The berries are used in the production of medicinal preparations and food supplements, which highlights the importance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in cranberry fruit raw material. The aim of our study was to develop and validate an efficient, cost-effective, reproducible, and fast UPLC-DAD methodology for the evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in raw material and preparations of American cranberry fruit. During the development of the methodology, chlorogenic acid and the following flavonols were identified in cranberry fruit samples: myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinopyranoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, myricetin, and quercetin. The developed and optimized UPLC-DAD methodology was validated according to the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH), evaluating the following parameters: range, specificity, linearity (R2 > 0.999), precision (%RSD < 2%), LOD (0.38–1.01 µg/mL), LOQ (0.54–3.06 µg/mL), and recovery (80–110%). The developed methodology was applied to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in fruit samples of cranberry cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Prolific’, and ‘Searles’, as well as ‘Bain-MC’ and ‘BL-12′ clones. In the tested samples, the majority (about 70%) of the identified flavonols were quercetin derivatives. The greatest amount of quercetin-3-galactoside (1035.35 ± 4.26 µg/g DW) was found in fruit samples of the ‘Searles’ cultivar, and the greatest amount of myricetin-3-galactoside (940.06 ± 24.91 µg/g DW) was detected in fruit samples of the ‘Woolman’ cultivar.

Highlights

American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) are perennial evergreen plants of the Ericaceae A.L. de Jussie family native to North America that are widely cultivated in Europe as well [1]
The type A trimeric proanthocyanidin complex and flavonols in cranberries inhibit the adhesion of the uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, the causative agent of urinary tract infections, to the receptors of the urinary tract epithelial cells [12], and cranberry fruits and their preparations are used for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections [13]
The methods developed and validated on the basis of UPLC can be used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological matrices, and our study aimed to develop a short, simple, accurate, and efficient methodology suitable for routine qualitative and quantitative studies of medicinal plant raw material samples which would employ lower amounts of harmful organic solvents, reducing environmental pollution

Summary

Introduction

American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) are perennial evergreen plants of the Ericaceae A.L. de Jussie family native to North America that are widely cultivated in Europe as well [1]. The following groups of biologically active compounds have been identified in cranberry fruit: flavonols (quercetin and myricetin derivatives) [4], flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins [5], tannins, derivatives of phenolic acids, and triterpenoids [6]. The biologically active compounds found in cranberry fruit reduce cellular oxidative stress while increasing resistance to H2 O2 -induced DNA damage in tissue cells [7]. The type A trimeric proanthocyanidin complex and flavonols (quercetin and myricetin) in cranberries inhibit the adhesion of the uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, the causative agent of urinary tract infections, to the receptors of the urinary tract epithelial cells [12], and cranberry fruits and their preparations are used for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections [13]. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit influenza viral infection by stimulating the cellular immune system and inhibiting viral mechanisms of action [19]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion