Abstract
Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is a deciduous shrub tree widely distributed in Asia and Southern Europe and grown as ornamental species. It is locally used for human consumption, as relevant medical value is attributed to the berries. Information about its composition, especially concerning the characterization of bioactive and health-promoting compounds, is limited. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the main bioactive compounds and nutraceutical proprieties of autumn olive fruits, via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and spectrophotometric analysis, in order to strengthen the knowledge about this underrated species and promote potential applications as a food supplement. Concerning nutraceutical traits, total polyphenolic content (325.366 ± 13.019 mg of gallic acid equivalents (mg GAE)/100 of fresh weight (g FW)) and total anthocyanin content (194.992 ± 0.817 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (mg C3G)/100 g FW) recorded considerable values. The phytochemical fingerprint revealed the presence 23 bioactive compounds. Polyphenols (65.56%) were the largest class, followed by monoterpenes (27.40%) and vitamin C (7.04%). Anthocyanins were the most represented compounds among polyphenols (71.9%). The antioxidant capacity (20.031 ± 1.214 mmol Fe2+/kg) was similar to that recorded for other small fruits with proven health-promoting properties. The present work underlined the potential of E. umbellata as a source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. Further studies should deepen the knowledge of nutraceutical aspects, which turned out to be interesting.
Highlights
The genus Elaeagnus includes 98 species belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family [1]
Japanese silverberry (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb), known as autumn olive or goumi, is a deciduous small tree widely used along highways, as the hedges provide a protective screen against wind, and to prevent soil erosion [2]
Analysis on quality traits revealed a TSS mean value of 16.23 ± 0.15◦ Brix (Table 1). These findings are partially confirmed in the literature: a study on Elaeagnus umbellata berries cultivated in five different localities showed lower values of TSS [23], while the results of six autumn olive genotypes grown in Cookeville (TN, USA) recorded TSS values ranging from 10.6 to 18.4◦ Brix [5]
Summary
The genus Elaeagnus includes 98 species belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family [1]. This family includes shrubs and small trees that produce fruits with a nutritional and ornamental value. Due to its ornamental value, drought tolerance, adaptability to different environments, and compact structure, it is grown in urban areas as a hedge [3]. It is employed for making artefacts such as fencing, fodder, and baskets and as a fuel wood [4].
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