Integrated Green “Extraction-Enrichment” Process for Sea Buckthorn Berry Flavonoids: Surfactant-Lipase Synergistic Microwave Extraction and In-Situ Cloud Point Enrichment

Carvacrol maintains antioxidant capacity in goji fruit by increasing the content of bioactive compounds

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome provide insight into flavonoid variation in goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) from different areas in China

Optimal nutrition is imperative for psychological health. Oxidative stress and inflammation are underlying etiologies for alterations in psychological health. Warfighters are at risk of health concerns such as depression due to increased stress in austere environments and family separation while deployed. Over the last decade, research has demonstrated the health benefits of flavonoids found in fruits and berries. Berry flavonoids have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, the promising effects of various berries rich in bioactive flavonoids are examined. By inhibiting oxidative stress, berry flavonoids have the potential to modulate brain, cardiovascular, and intestinal health. There is a critical need for targeted interventions to address psychological health concerns within the warfighter population, and a berry flavonoid-rich diet and/or berry flavonoid dietary supplement intervention may prove beneficial as an adjunctive therapy. Structured searches of the literature were performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases using predetermined keywords. This review focuses on berry flavonoids' critical and fundamental bioactive properties and their potential effects on psychological health in investigations utilizing cell, animal, and human model systems.

The vast majority of people continue to view medicinal plants as a low-cost source of medications and treatments. Numerous trees, herbs, plants, and shrubs have been used as remedies for various ailments since the dawn of time. Rubus ellipticus Smith, a weedy wild raspberry that flourishes in damp woods at high elevations, particularly those in the Himalayas and the Nilgiris area, is one of the important ethnomedicinal plants in the genus Rubus. Traditional Tibetan medicine places a great deal of importance on the plant R. ellipticus. Because of the abundance and diversity of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits or berries, which have a high concentration of both, they are generally regarded as inherently healthful foods. The roots and leaves, as well as the fruit, have traditionally been used as therapeutic agents for several illnesses including colic pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, wound healing, diarrhea, antifertility, antibacterial, analgesic, epilepsy, and others. The objective of the current review is to concentrate on the pharmacological characteristics, nutrition profile, phytoconstituents, and folkloric therapeutic applications of R. ellipticus, therefore achieving the review's overall subject.

In this work, we tested the effect of different regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) regimes on berry flavonoid content and its relative biosynthetic pathways. Vines were subjected to six irrigation regimes over two consecutive years: a) full irrigation during the entire irrigation period (FI); b) moderate (RDI-1M) or c) severe (RDI-1S) water deficit between berry pea-size and veraison; d) severe water deficit during the lag-phase (RDI-LS); and e) moderate (RDI-2M) or f) severe (RDI-2S) water deficit from veraison through harvest. Berries from both RDI-1 treatments showed the highest accumulation of anthocyanins, upregulating the expression of many genes of the flavonoid pathway since the beginning of veraison until harvest, far after the water deficit was released. Although to a lesser degree than RDI-1, both post-veraison water deficit treatments increased anthocyanin concentration, particularly those of the tri-substituted forms, overexpressing the F3′5′H hydroxylases. The moderate deficit irrigation treatments enhanced anthocyanin accumulation with respect to the severe ones regardless of the period when they were applied (pre- or post-veraison). The water deficit imposed during the lag-phase downregulated many genes throughout the flavonoid pathway, showing a slight reduction in anthocyanin accumulation. The measurements of cluster temperature and light exposure highlighted that under deficit irrigation conditions, the effects induced by water stress prevailed over that of light and temperature in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Flavonol concentration was higher in RDI-1S berries due to the upregulation of the flavonol synthases and the flavonol-3-O-glycosyltransferases. In this case, the higher cluster light exposure induced by water deficit in RDI-1S berries had a major role in flavonol accumulation. We conclude that the timing and intensity of water stress strongly regulate the berry flavonoid accumulation and that proper management of deficit irrigation can modulate the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways.

The grapevine source-to-sink ratio and berry exposure to solar radiation both influence grape flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation. Here, we compared these concepts on cv. Merlot in two different growing locations (Michigan (MI) and Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG), IT) to understand whether the environment influences flavonoid sensitivity to these parameters. Three levels of leaf removal (LR0, LR5, LR8) were implemented at the pea-size phenological stage to compare conditions of increased cluster light exposure with a decreasing vine source-to-sink ratio on berry flavonoid accumulation. Treatments did not affect total soluble solids (TSSs) or pH, but titratable acidity (TA) was lower in LR8 at harvest in both locations. LR5 increased anthocyanins and flavonols in MI but decreased most phenolics in FVG. The decreased expression of VviLAR1 and VviF3'5'Hh during ripening supported the lower concentrations of flavan-3-ol monomers and anthocyanins in FVG. In summary, flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation were more sensitive to solar radiation than the source-to-sink ratio, and the vineyard environment dictated whether solar radiation was beneficial or detrimental to flavonoid biosynthesis.

Rootstocks are commonly utilized owing to their resistance to abiotic and biotic stress in viticulture. This study evaluated the effects of three rootstocks (1103P, SO4, and 5A) on the Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) vine growth, and their berries and wines flavonoids profiles in four consecutive vintages. The results showed that 1103P increased the pruning weight of CS and decreased the anthocyanin concentration in berries and wines, especially in the vintages with more rainy and cloudy days. 5A tended to decrease the pruning weight of CS and increase the anthocyanin concentration in berries and wines. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) showed that the concentrations of total anthocyanins, F3’H-anthocyanins, malvidin-3-O-glucoside (Mv-glu), and malvidin-3-O-acetylglucoside (Mv-acglu) were the key substances affected by the rootstocks in CS berries and were significantly decreased by 1103P. Total anthocyanins, pinotins, Mv-glu, epicatechin, and vitisins were the rootstock-sensitive compounds that commonly differed in wines among the three comparison groups in the two vintages. Furthermore, 1103P brought more brightness to the wine and 5A gave the wine more red tones. In conclusion, rootstock 5A was recommended in the rainy and cloudy climate regions with regard to the berry flavonoids accumulation and the wine color.

Wine grape production is challenged by forecasted increases in air temperature and droughts due to climate change and photoselective overhead shade films are promising tools in hot viticulture areas to overcome climate change related factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape berries to solar radiation overexposure, optimize shade film use for preserving berry composition. An experiment was conducted for two years with four shade films (D1, D3, D4, D5) with differing solar radiation spectra transmittance and compared to an uncovered control (C0). Integrals for leaf gas exchange and mid-day stem water potential were unaffected by the shade films in both years. At harvest, berry primary metabolites were not affected by treatments applied in either year. Despite precipitation exclusion during the dormant seasons in shaded treatments, and cluster zone temperatures reaching 58°C in C0, yield was not affected. Berry skin anthocyanin and flavonol composition and content were measured by C18 reversed-phase HPLC. In 2020, total skin anthocyanins (mg·berry-1) in the shaded treatments were 27% greater than C0 during berry ripening and at harvest. Conversely, flavonol content in 2020 decreased in partially shaded grapevines compared to C0. Berry flavonoid content in 2021 increased until harvest while flavonol degradation was apparent from veraison to harvest in 2020 across partially shaded and control grapevines. Untreated control showed lower di- to tri-hydroxylated flavonol ratios closer to harvest. Our results provided evidence that overhead partial shading of vineyards mitigate anthocyanin degradation by reducing cluster zone temperatures and is a useful tool in combatting climate change in hot climate regions.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality for both men and women in the U.S; to include our military. Warfighters consistently serve in harm’s way due to their national security mission to deter the enemy’s threats and protect our homeland security. With these high stakes, operational demands impose stressors related to military deployment, and consequently physiological changes related to brain and heart health. All together these processes may also impact operational readiness. Oxidative stress is an key underlying factor in atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. It occurs at the cellular level with an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, and/or a deficiency in antioxidant systems. Mounting evidence suggests flavonoids, in the form of berry extracts, may promote cell health by exerting antioxidant properties.MethodsThe effects of blackcurrant and various berry extracts were tested in two different cultured cell lines ‐ cardiomyocyte (HL‐1) and microglia (BV‐2) cells ‐ to study their biological effects. The principal ingredients in blackcurrant and cranberry extract – delphinidin 3‐rutinoside (D3R) and cyanidin 3‐glucoside (C3G), respectively—were also assessed. Our primary outcome was oxidative stress. A menadione‐induced oxidative stressor was used and its output was quantified using a green fluorogenic probe to detect oxidative stress (CellROXTM). Control substances included N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC).ResultsBlackcurrant extracts had similar antioxidant effects as N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC) in HL‐1 cells with regard to cellular protection and antioxidant protection, whereas cranberry extract was ineffective. In contrast, cranberry extract was comparable to blackcurrant extract in BV‐2 cells. As for the bioactive ingredients, results showed that D3R and C3G reduced oxidative stress, which were similar to whole berry extracts. This indicates that these ingredients likely contribute to the antioxidant properties of berries.ConclusionIn summary, we demonstrated that both blackcurrant and cranberry extracts can reduce oxidative stress. Overall, blackcurrant extract was more effective in reducing oxidative stress in the HL‐1 cells, whereas cranberry extract was more effective in reducing oxidative stress in the BV‐2 cells. These results suggest specific cardio and neuroprotective benefits of berry flavonoids. Berry flavonoids also demonstrated promising effects as potent antioxidants. Future research should explore dose response, cell viability, and bioavailability in cellular and human models.DisclaimerThe opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University or the Department of Defense.Conflict of InterestNeither I nor my family members have a financial interest in any commercial product, service, or organization providing financial support for this research.

Oxidative stress is a key underlying factor in cognitive decline and atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress occurs at the cellular level with an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species and a deficiency in antioxidants. Mounting evidence suggests that berry flavonoids may promote cellular health by exerting antioxidant properties. Black currant and various berry extracts were tested in microglia (BV-2) and cardiomyocyte (HL-1) cell lines to study their biological effects. The principal ingredients in black currant and cranberry extract–delphinidin 3-rutinoside (D3R) and cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), were also assessed. A menadione-induced oxidative stressor was used, and its output was quantified to detect oxidative stress (CellROXTM). Black currant extract had similar antioxidant effects as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in HL-1 cells with regard to cellular protection, whereas cranberry extract was ineffective. In contrast, cranberry extract was comparable in effectiveness to black currant extract in BV-2 cells. D3R and C3G also reduced oxidative stress similarly to whole berry extracts, which indicates that these ingredients may confer the antioxidant effects of berries. Black currant and cranberry extracts inhibit oxidative stress in microglial and cardiomyocyte cell lines. Black currant extract was more effective in reducing oxidative stress in the HL-1 cells, whereas cranberry extract was comparable in reducing oxidative stress in the BV-2 cells. The results suggest that berry flavonoids exert neuro- and cardioprotective effects.

Chemical profiling and UHPLC-QToF analysis for the simultaneous determination of anthocyanins and flavonoids in Sambucus berries and authentication and detection of adulteration in elderberry dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS

In this research, the effect of soil application of three different sources of zinc (Zn) fertilizers including nano Zn chelate, Zn sulfate and nano Zn oxide (ZnO) each at three levels of 0, 250 and 500 mg kg−1 was examined in a 12-year-old vineyard. The results of the soil incubation test of different Zn containing fertilizers (with equal amounts of Zn) showed that these compounds had the highest availability during the first week they are added to soil, but over time this availability reduced. The highest Zn availability was related to nano Zn chelate and the lowest availability was related to nano ZnO and control treatments. Moreover, the amount of Zn extracted at the end of the growing season was lower in nano Zn chelate- treated soils than those treated with Zn sulfate and nano ZnO. The highest yield was related to those vines treated with nano Zn chelate at 500 mg kg−1 and the lowest was observed in control vines. Also, the highest and lowest total phenol and soluble sugars was detected in 500 mg kg−1 nano Zn chelate- treated and control vines, respectively. Berry anthocyanin, flavonoid, titratable acid, catalase, and guaiacol peroxidase activity, protein, ascorbic acid, iron, and potassium dramatically increased in response to nano Zn chelate application. For this reason, because nano Zn chelate is less stabilized on soil, it is better to use nano Zn chelate fertilizer instead of other Zn compounds for improving the yield and quality of grape berries, especially in calcareous soils.

The article presents the relevance of the production of healthy food. The results of research on the study of the nutritional value of fruit and berry raw materials are presented. For the first time, the expediency of using sea buckthorn berries for the production of fruit jelly has been scientifically substantiated and experimentally proven. A comparative analysis of the technological properties and biological value of sea buckthorn berries grown in the Republic of Dagestan is provided. The influence of the height of sea buckthorn cultivation above sea level on the accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonoids in berries has been established. The functional purpose of the developed marmalade has been revealed and experimentally proved.

Grapevine productivity, and berry and wine flavonoid concentration, depend on the interactions of cultivar, environment, and applied cultural practices. We characterized the effects that mechanical leaf removal and irrigation treatments had on the flavonoid concentration of ‘Merlot’ (Vitis vinifera, L.) grape berries and wines in a hot climate over two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation patterns. Leaves were removed by machine, either at prebloom (PBLR), or at post-fruit-set (PFLR), or not removed (control) and irrigation was either applied as sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) from budbreak to fruit set, or regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 0.8 ETc from bud break to fruit set, 0.5 ETc from fruit set to veraison, and 0.8 ETc from veraison to harvest, of ETc In 2014, PFLR reduced the leaf area index (LAI) compared to control. The RDI decreased season-long leaf water potential (ΨInt) compared to SDI. However, in 2015, none of the treatments affected LAI or ΨInt. In 2014, berry flavonoid concentrations were reduced by PBLR as well as SDI. SDI increased the flavonoid concentrations in wine, and PFLR increased some wine flavonols in one season. No factor affected the concentrations of wine proanthocyanidins or mean degree of polymerization. Thus, mechanical PFLR and RDI may increase berry flavonoid accumulation without yield reduction, in red wine grapes cultivars grown in hot climates when precipitation after bud break is lacking. However, spring precipitation may influence the effectiveness of these practices as evidenced by this work in a changing climate.

Climate change models predict lower precipitation and higher air temperatures that will negatively affect viticultural regions. Irrigation of vineyards will be crucial for mitigating abiotic stress during the growing season. However, the environmental impact of irrigation requires consideration for ensuring its sustainability in the future. We evaluated the standard irrigation practices on grapevine water use efficiency, berry flavonoid composition, vineyard water footprint, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-grapevine symbiosis in two seasons with contrasting amounts of precipitation. The irrigation treatments consisted of weekly replacement of 25, 50, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during two growing seasons. Irrigation in grapevine vineyards mitigated the water scarcity when precipitation during the dormant season was not sufficient. The results provided field data supporting that despite the low rainfall recorded in one of the seasons, increasing the amount of irrigation was not advised, and replacing 50% ETc was sufficient. In this treatment, berry composition was improved with increased contents of total soluble solids, anthocyanins, and flavonols, and a stable flavonoid profile without an economic decrease in yield. In addition, with 50% ETc, the mycorrhizal symbiosis was not compromised and water resources were not highly impacted. Altogether, our results provide fundamental knowledge for viticulturists to design an appropriate irrigation schedule under the future warming scenarios with minimal environmental impact in semi-arid regions facing warming trends.

The study of phenolic maturity in Vitis vinifera L. requires a multidisciplinary approach to understand how the evolution of berry flavonoids and cell wall material influence the colour and the textures of red wine. This is a challenging issue which involves researchers of viticulture and enology, and the results of their work are of particular interest for the producers of high-quality red wines. This review reports the current knowledge regarding phenolic maturity, describing the sensorial traits of the different compounds, the evolution of berry flavonoids and the methodologies used to evaluate their characteristics. Finally, the role of cell wall material in influencing the extractability of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins was shown. By means of a critical review of the results, it can be hypothesised that prolonged ripening improved colour characteristics and mouthfeel properties, thanks to the higher amounts of extractable skin flavonoids associated with lower amounts of seed proanthocyanidins, and to the increased affinity of the cell wall material for the proanthocyanidins most involved in the perception of unpleasant astringency.

Abstract BackgroundDietary components such as berries and fruits are part of the recommended Nordic diet, and are considered having health‐enhancing characteristics. A randomized multi‐center and multi‐domain lifestyle intervention trial FINGER has shown benefits on cognition with dietary guidance, exercise, cognitive training and vascular risk management. Here, we investigate the association between berry and fruit intake at baseline and cognitive function over 2 years.MethodsIndividuals aged 60‐77 years were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to intervention (n=631, nutritional guidance, exercise, cognitive training, and management of metabolic and vascular risk factors) or control group (n=629, general health advice). A modified neuropsychological test battery and 3‐day food records were administered annually. Mixed‐model repeated‐measures analyses with maximum likelihood estimation were used to analyse change in cognitive scores as a function of randomization group, time, berry consumption, total energy intake, berry consumption x time interaction, group x time interaction, energy intake x time interaction, age x time interaction, age, sex, education, study site, C‐reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. A similar model was used to investigate effects of fruit consumption.ResultsHigh berry consumption at baseline compared with no berry consumption was associated with more improvement in all investigated cognitive domains. Berry consumption x time interaction coefficient (95% CI) was for global cognition 0.058 (0.034‐0.082), p<0.001; for executive functioning 0.050 (0.018‐0.081), p=0.002; for memory 0.069 (0.028‐0.109), p=0.001; and for processing speed 0.051 (0.018‐0.085), p=0.003 over two years. When berry consumption was combined with fruit consumption, the results remained similar. However, fruit consumption alone did not show any association with the cognitive domains.ConclusionsBerries are an important component of the Nordic diet, and higher consumption of berries seems to have a beneficial impact on cognitive functioning. Several healthy components such as flavonoids in berries might be behind this association, e.g. by influencing cerebrovascular blood flow and synaptic plasticity of the brain. Acknowledgements: The presenting author wish to acknowledge The Juho Vainio Foundation; Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation; Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation.

Objective: Hypertension or raised blood pressure leads to the occurrence of morbidity and mortality rate among peoples and it was considered as the primary factor for the occurrence of various cardiac and vascular disorders include ischemic cardiac disease, myocardial necrosis, cardiac failure, renal disorder, atherosclerosis, and cerebrovascular accident. Called “silent killer” because hypertension is an asymptomatic disease in the early stages with no indications on suffered patients and leads to act as a significant factor for the occurrence of severe other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As berries show considerable interest in improving cardiovascular diseases because they are rich in polyphenol contents and bioactive compounds. Besides their single usage, a polyherbal combination is much better for the treatment of hypertension.
 Methods: The data were collected by reviewing a combination of research and review papers from different databases such as PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, and Web of science using search keywords such as “hypertension,” “cardiovascular disease,” “berries,” “cranberry,” and “red raspberry” with all their synonyms and related terms.
 Result: Various studies shown better associations between higher berry flavonoids and other polyphenolic components and lower the risk of cardiovascular disorders. Based on various scientific evidence, the characteristic of various biochemical processes is treated by berries with its antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-sclerotic and other properties.
 Conclusion: This paper concludes that in the present day, there is a global increase in berry consumption, which is used in the ailment of various cardiovascular diseases. The studies which are held are needed to define their optimal dose, process, or method of preparation (formulation) and the duration of berry intervention so that these showed better treatment options for hypertension.

Climate models predict an increase in the frequency and duration of heatwaves with an increase in intensity already strongly evident worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of two heatwave-related parameters (intensity and duration) during berry ripening and identify a threshold for berry survival and flavonoid accumulation. A Doehlert experimental design was used to test three temperature intensities (maxima of 35, 46, and 54 °C) and five durations (3 to 39 h), with treatments applied at the bunch level shortly after véraison. Berry skin and seeds were analysed by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS) for flavonoids (flavonols, anthocyanins, free flavan-3-ols, and tannins). Berries exposed to 46 °C showed little difference compared to 35 °C. However, berries reaching temperatures around 54 °C were completely desiccated, and all flavonoids were significantly decreased except for skin flavonols on a per berry basis and seed tannins in most cases. Some compounds, such as dihydroxylated flavonoids and galloylated flavan-3-ols (free and polymerised), were in higher proportion in damaged berries suggesting they were less degraded or more synthesised upon heating. Overall, irreversible berry damages and substantial compositional changes were observed and the berry survival threshold was estimated at around 50–53 °C for mid-ripe Shiraz berries, regardless of the duration of exposure.