Abstract
In this work, for the first time, were analyzed mulberry genotypes grown in Apulia (Southern Italy, Salento region) were analyzed. Two local varieties of Morus alba (cv. Legittimo nero and cv. Nello) and one of Morus nigra were characterized for content in simple sugars, organic acids, phenols, anthocyanins; fruit antioxidant activity (AA) was also evaluated by three different methods (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH; 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS; and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, FRAP test). The results showed that the sugars amount ranged between 6.29 and 7.66 g/100 g fresh weight (FW) while the malic and citric acids content was low, at about 0.1–1 g/100 g FW. Mulberries are a good source of phenols which are present in higher values in M. nigra and M. alba cv. Legittimo nero (485 and 424 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/ 100 g FW, respectively). The high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector/mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD/MS) analysis identified 5 main anthocyanin compounds present in different concentrations in each variety of mulberry: cyanidin 3-sophoroside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside. The highest concentration of anthocyanins was determined in Morus alba Legittimo (about 300 mg/100 g FW) while the lowest content (about 25 mg/100 g FW) was measured in M. alba cv. Nello. Morus nigra showed a good AA in comparison with the different M. alba genotypes with all the used methods; its AA was equal to 33, 26 and 21 μmols Trolox/g FW when using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests, respectively. All genotypes showed an anti-inflammatory activity (measured by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory assay) which was also compared with two commercial anti-inflammatory drugs. The data obtained support the high biological qualities of mulberry fruits and their diffusion in human nutrition.
Highlights
The mulberry is a dicotyledon plant belonging to the genus Morus of the Moraceae family and generally it is well known in sericulture and silk industry, since it is the only food plant for the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori [1]
The antioxidant activity tests were performed by spectrophotometric assays using three different methods: DPPH, ABTS and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) test using a 96-well microplate according to Oki et al [10], Re et al [28] and Benzie and Strain [29], respectively
Koyuncu [31] reported a variable amount of citric and malic acid that ranged between 0.5 to 2.3 g/100 g fresh weight (FW) and 3.5 to 19.8 g/100 g FW for different genotypes of mulberry fruits cultivated in Turkey
Summary
The mulberry is a dicotyledon plant belonging to the genus Morus of the Moraceae family and generally it is well known in sericulture and silk industry, since it is the only food plant for the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori [1]. Higher antinociceptive properties have been reported for black mulberry fruits, which inhibited the expression of inflammation-related proteins [20]. These biological activities are correlated to their polyphenol components, in particular anthocyanins, a large group of water-soluble pigments responsible for colors (orange, red and blue) of flowers, fruits and vegetables and principally known for the high antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory potential and reduction of liver injury (chemo-and hepatic protective role) [21,22]. Morus alba and Morus nigra have been characterized for their nutritional components by evaluating the content of simple sugars, organic acids, total phenolic compounds, o-diphenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
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