Blueberry Research Articles

Comparative study of some bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activity of some berry types

Berries are wealthy in bioactive compounds like phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are deemed antioxidants and are great important to health. This research was performed to examine, recognize and compare bioactive compounds in certain types of berries and their antioxidant activity. The data show that blue berry, black berry and Egyptian black mulberry contain the highest content of most bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins, while long mulberry and red currant berry have the lowest content for most of these compounds. They therefore, contain the highest value of antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of the berries varies depending on cultivar, variety, location of growth, environmental conditions and harvest time, as well as post-harvest treatments therefore the composition differed from berry fruit to another. Thus, berry fruits are very useful in nutrition to protect the body from many diseases because of its containment of these compounds, which act as free radicals scavenger that harm the body and thus rid the body of many harmful toxins.

Flavonoids as Prospective Neuroprotectants and Their Therapeutic Propensity in Aging Associated Neurological Disorders.

Modern research has revealed that dietary consumption of flavonoids and flavonoids-rich foods significantly improve cognitive capabilities, inhibit or delay the senescence process and related neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The flavonoids rich foods such as green tea, cocoa, blue berry and other foods improve the various states of cognitive dysfunction, AD and dementia-like pathological alterations in different animal models. The mechanisms of flavonoids have been shown to be mediated through the inhibition of cholinesterases including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), β-secretase (BACE1), free radicals and modulation of signaling pathways, that are implicated in cognitive and neuroprotective functions. Flavonoids interact with various signaling protein pathways like ERK and PI3-kinase/Akt and modulate their actions, thereby leading to beneficial neuroprotective effects. Moreover, they enhance vascular blood flow and instigate neurogenesis particularly in the hippocampus. Flavonoids also hamper the progression of pathological symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis induced by neurotoxic substances including free radicals and β-amyloid proteins (Aβ). All these protective mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of number, quality of neurons and their synaptic connectivity in the brain. Thus flavonoids can thwart the progression of age-related disorders and can be a potential source for the design and development of new drugs effective in cognitive disorders.

Spectral difference analysis and identification of different maturity blueberry fruit based on hyperspectral imaging using spectral index

Hyperspectral imaging, with many narrow bands of spectra, is strongly capable to detect or classify objects. It has been become one research hotspot in the field of near-ground remote sensing. However, the higher demands for computing and complex operating of instrument are still the bottleneck for hyperspectral imaging technology applied in field. Band selection is a common way to reduce the dimensionality of hyperspectral imaging cube and simplify the design of spectral imaging instrument. In this research, hyperspectral images of blueberry fruit were collected both in the laboratory and in field. A set of spectral bands were selected by analyzing the differences among blueberry fruits at different growth stages and backgrounds. Furthermore, a normalized spectral index was set up using the bands selected to identify the three growth stages of blueberry fruits, aiming to eliminate the impact of background included leaf, branch, soil, illumination variation and so on. Two classifiers of spectral angle mapping (SAM), multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and classification tree were used to verify the results of identification of blueberry fruit. The detection accuracy was 82.1% for SAM classifier using all spectral bands, 88.5% for MLR classifier using selected bands and 89.8% for decision tree using the spectral index. The results indicated that the normalization spectral index can both lower the complexity of computing and reduce the impact of noisy background in field. Keywords: spectral difference analysis, hyperspectral imaging, spectral index, band selection, blueberry fruit identification DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191203.4325 Citation: Ma H, Zhao K X, Jin X, Ji J T, Qiu Z M, Gao S. Spectral difference analysis and identification of different maturity blueberry fruit based on hyperspectral imaging using spectral index. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(3): 134–140.

Wnt Signaling Mediated Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis by Dietary Phenolic Hippuric Acid and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) Propionic Acid (3–3-PPA) (P01-037-19)

ObjectivesNutritional factors influence bone development. We have previously reported that Blueberry (BB) and BB-associated phenolic acids had significant effects on increasing bone mass in rats. We also found BB-associated phenolic acids [hippuric acid (HA) and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3-3-PPA)] inhibited osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in ex vivo. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which HA or 3-3-PPA inhibit osteoclast formation and if HA or 3-3-PPA inhibits bone resorption in vivo. MethodsMurine osteoclast (macrophage) cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, and hematopoietic osteoclast progenitor cells (isolated from 4 weeks old C57BL6/J mice) were cultured. Cells were treated with HA or 3-3-PPA (0.6, 6, 60, 600 μg/dL) for 4 days in the presence of 50 ng/ml of RANKL (Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand). In animal studies, dietary HA or 3-3-PPA was provided at 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d to female mice for 4 weeks, starting at postnatal day 28. ResultsIn RAW 264.7 cell and primary cell cultures, TRAPase staining showed that RANKL-stimulated osteoclast number/well dose-dependently decreased with treatments of HA or 3-3-PPA. HA and 3-3-PPA significantly inhibited RANKL-induced β-catenin and GPR109A (G protein coupled receptor 109A) protein expression. Moreover, RANKL-induced β-catenin and GPR109A mRNA expression were also suppressed by HA and 3-3-PPA. Furthermore, after pre-treatment with HA or 3-3-PPA, RANKL-stimulated increases of Wnt/β-catenin down-stream genes such as c-myc, and osteoclastogenic genes such as NFkB and NFATc1 gene expression were blunted. In mice, we found significantly increased bone mass in dietary HA and 3-3-PPA supplemented groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). Increased bone mass in HA and 3-3-PPA treated mice was accompanied by decreased bone resorption (bone resorption markers and osteoclastogenic gene expression), but increased β-catenin expression in total protein isolated from bone. ConclusionsThese results indicate significant inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by HA and 3-3-PPA, and suggest that HA and 3-3-PPA inhibit bone marrow the hematopoietic cell differentiation program through non-canonical Wnt signaling to protect against increased bone resorption. Funding SourcesUSDA-ARS Project.

Blueberry Supplementation Mitigates Altered Brain Plasticity and Behavior after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) compromises neuronal function required for hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Despite the high consumption of blueberries, information about its effects on brain plasticity and function under conditions of brain trauma is limited. The efficacy of dietary blueberry (BB) supplementation to mitigate the effects of TBI on plasticity markers and associated behavioral function in a rodent model of concussive injury are assessed. Rats were maintained on a diet supplemented with blueberry (BB, 5% w/w) for 2 weeks after TBI. It is found that BB supplementation mitigated a loss of spatial learning and memory performance after TBI, and reduced the effects of TBI on anxiety-like behavior. BB supplementation prevents a reduction of molecules associated with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) system action on learning and memory such as cyclic-AMP response element binding factor (CREB), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). In addition, BB supplementation reverses an increase of the lipid peroxidation byproduct 4-hydroxy-nonenal (4-HNE) after TBI. Importantly, synaptic and neuronal signaling regulators change in proportion with the memory performance, suggesting an association between plasticity markers and behavior. Data herein indicate that BB supplementation has a beneficial effect in mitigating the acute aspects of the TBI pathology.

Blueberries Improve Neuroinflammation and Cognition differentially Depending on Individual Cognitive baseline Status.

Daily supplementation of blueberries (BBs) reverses age-related deficits in behavior in aged rats. However, it is unknown whether BB is more beneficial to one subset of the population dependent on baseline cognitive performance and inflammatory status. To examine the effect of individual differences on the efficacy of BB, aged rats (17 months old) were assessed for cognition in the radial arm water maze (RAWM) and divided into good, average, and poor performers based on navigation errors. Half of the rats in each cognitive group were then fed a control or a 2% BB diet for 8 weeks before retesting. Serum samples were collected, pre-diet and post-diet, to assess inflammation. Latency in the radial arm water maze was significantly reduced in the BB-fed poor performers (p < .05) and preserved in the BB-fed good performers. The control-fed good performers committed more working and reference memory errors in the post-test than pretest (p < .05), whereas the BB-fed good performers showed no change. An in vitro study using the serum showed that BB supplementation attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and cognitive performance was associated with innate anti-inflammatory capability. Therefore, consumption of BB may reverse some age-related deficits in cognition, as well as preserve function among those with intact cognitive ability.

“Blue Berries Always Surprise Us”

Cet article explore les relations entre le bonheur, la surprise et l’accident dans l’œuvre de Henry David Thoreau. Il aborde son épistémologie de la surprise, envisagée comme un engagement relationnel avec le monde et qui constitue une forme de connaissance, ainsi que ses idées sur le hasard et l’accident, reposant aussi à ses yeux sur sur l’expérience subjective. Ses rencontres avec les phénomènes naturels lors de ses promenades quotidiennes sont une source de bonheur, renforcé par la surprise : malgré l’indéniable expérience de deuil de Thoreau, ses écrits regorgent d’expressions de joie sincère .

Effect of foliar fertilization of microelements on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corumbosum L.) nutrient status and yield components in cutover peatlands

Effect of foliar fertilization of microelements on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corumbosum L.) nutrient status and yield components in cutover peatlands

Chemometric properties of wines treated with natural extracts as an alternative of sulphur dioxide

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is commonly used as an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound during wine production. Phenols naturally existence in plant extracts have been reported to possess antioxidative, antimicrobial activities, and as anti-inflammatory activities. Since few consumers preferred foods treated with natural preservatives, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of different natural plant extracts as an alternative of sulphur dioxide used in wines. Wine production was done according to the accepted conventional method for red wines (Cabernet sauvignon). The experimental design was achieved by using different plant extracts (grape pomace, rosemary, black blueberry) at different concentrations. As controls were used wine samples produced without natural extracts and second group samples produced without addition of sulphur dioxide (SO2). At the end of production basic analyzes (total acidity, volatile acidity, pH, dry matter, ash, free and total SO2), and colorimetric wine analyses (TWP, WC, CD, CI, %R, %Y, %B, Abs280, Abs420, Abs520, Abs620, %dA and tint values) were performed. Analyses on n-dimensional scale demonstrated that each used plant exact have different effects on required SO2and wine quality parameters. The lowest concentrations of grape pomace extract caused reduction of SO2and maintaining the required wine properties. The highest value of the end of first month of storage for TWP, WC, Abs280, Abs520, %R values were determined for grape pomace treatment wines. The highest value of the TPW were determined for samples treated with grape pomace (1 ml/L extract), rosemary (1 ml/L extract), and blue berry (1 ml/L extract with 25 mg/L SO2) 2.710, 2.550 and 2.520 respectively. Results emphasized the importance of used plant extracts and their concentrations. The study demonstrated the possibilities of SO2optimization on the base of used natural plant extracts.

Повышение эффективности извлечения биоактивных соединений плодов жимолости в вибрационном экстракторе

Публикация посвящена исследованию экстрактора с вибрационной насадкой для извлечения биоактивных соединений из плодово-ягодного сырья. Установлено, что процесс ускоряется за счет эффекта байпасирования фаз через кольцевую щель между тарелкой и корпусом. Получены рекомендации по конструктивным параметрам вибрационной тарелки, позволяющим повысить эффективность процесса экстрагирования жимолости голубой.

A pilot dose\u2013response study of the acute effects of haskap berry extract (Lonicera caerulea L.) on cognition, mood, and blood pressure in older adults

PurposeHaskap (Lonicera caerulea L. or blue honeysuckle) is a plant native to the low-lying wet areas and mountains of Siberia and northeastern Asia, but is now cultivated in Canada. The dark blue berries are rich in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. Previously, anthocyanin-rich fruits have been observed to benefit cognitive performance during the immediate postprandial period following a single acute dose. However, no study has currently examined the potential for haskap berries to influence cognitive performance. Here, we investigate the acute cognitive benefits of an anthocyanin-rich haskap berry extract.MethodsA double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover intervention study compared the acute effects of three separate haskap berry extract doses, containing 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg anthocyanins, with a sugar-matched placebo. Participants were an opportunity sample of 20 older adults, aged 62–81 years. Measures of cognition, mood, and blood pressure were recorded at baseline and 1.5 h postprandially.ResultsCompared to placebo, the 400 mg dose elicited significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Both 200 mg and 400 mg doses elicited significantly higher word recall, with the 400 mg dose also significantly improving word recognition scores, on an episodic memory task. However, mood, working memory and executive function task results were more equivocal.ConclusionsThe findings provide evidence for improvements in episodic memory and blood pressure following acute supplementation with haskap berry extract, with higher doses appearing most effective. The cognitive findings concur with previous literature that suggests episodic memory effects, and not executive function effects, are most prevalent in older adults following anthocyanin-rich berry supplementation. The blood pressure outcome is consistent with a vasodilatory mechanism of action.

Blueberry containing diets protect from bone loss induced by sex steroid deficiency differently depending on sex and by mechanisms independent of canonical sex steroid receptor signaling

Background and Hypothesis: &#x0D; There is an unmet need for interventions that prevent bone loss induced by sex steroid deficiency. Loss of estrogens or androgens increases ROS in bone. We hypothesized that diets containing blueberries with antioxidant properties would protect from bone loss induced by sex steroid deficiency, depending on sex and on the expression of Nrf2, a transcription factor that regulates the endogenous antioxidant response. &#x0D; Experimental Design: &#x0D; SHAM, ovariectomized (OVX), or orchidectomized (ORX) 4-month-old, wild type (WT) or Nrf2 knockout (KO) male and female mice were fed with control diet or diets containing 3 types of blueberries. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and microscopic computed tomography, respectively; and gene expression was quantified in bone RNA by quantitative PCR. &#x0D; Results: &#x0D; Control-fed OVX or ORX mice exhibited the expected BMD loss, to a similar extent, in WT and KO mice. One of the blueberry diets (Montgomery) prevented bone loss, totally in females and partially in males; and prevented ~50% of microarchitecture deterioration in ORX mice, independently of Nrf2 expression. OVX and ORX decreased expression of estrogen-response-element gene C3 or androgen-response-element gene Rhox5, respectively, in both WT and KO mice fed control or Montgomery diets, indicating that bone protection is not due to estrogenic/androgenic actions of the diet. &#x0D; Conclusion and Potential Impact: &#x0D; Montgomery diet prevented bone loss due to sex steroid deficiency fully in females and partially in males. Thus, optimal skeletal benefits might be achieved by tailoring antioxidant-rich diets to patients of either sex.

Business Unit "Mooghurt" Academic Community Biology Department FMIPA Universitas Negeri Padang

Abstract - Science and Technology Program for Entrepreneurship and Campus Innovation (IbKIK) involves a number of experienced lecturers from various disciplines. IbKIK carries out guidance to prospective entrepreneurs / novice entrepreneurs (students) through business management training and a number of other creative activities to produce new entrepreneurs who are independent in science and technology based. The form of new entrepreneurship offered is the production of fermented cow's milk which is named the "Mooghurt" Business Unit of the Biology Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UNP. Mooghurt is designed primarily to generate and develop the entrepreneurial spirit of students in the Biology Department at FMIPA UNP. The activities that have been carried out are the manufacture of moquette with a taste of plan (original, pineapple, starwbery and blue berry packaged with 150mL glass. The total production of 600 packs / month with a selling price of Rp.4,000. IbKIK activities have successfully trained and fostered new entrepreneurs. as many as eight students joined in the KWU unit of the student association of the Department of Biology FMIPA UNP.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A rare cause of neonatal morbidity in Nigeria

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the herpes virus family is a known cause of intrauterine infections with attendant sequelae on the newborn. Symptomatic CMV is grossly underdiagnosed and rarely reported in Nigeria and elsewhere. A.O was a 6-week old male with features suggestive of severe CMV infection that was misdiagnosed and managed for bacterial sepsis in another hospital without improvement necessitating referral to our facility. He had generalised “blueberry muffin” skin rashes from birth, respiratory distress, pyrexia,recurrent anemia, severe jaundice with massive hepatosplenomegaly; in addition to symptoms of central nervous system involvement. Serological tests and polymerase chain reaction were positive for Cytomegalovirus. He received intravenous and oral ganciclovir, blood transfusions and intravenous antibiotics for anaemia and bacteria sepsis with satisfactory outcome. This case highlights the need for high index of suspicion, and prompt appropriate intervention in order to minimize morbidity and improve outcome in cases of congenital CMV infection.

Breeding Trait Priorities of the Blueberry Industry in the United States and Canada

Developing new blueberry cultivars requires plant breeders to be aware of current and emerging needs throughout the supply chain, from producer to consumer. Because breeding perennial crop plants (such as blueberry) is time- and resource-intensive, understanding and targeting priority traits is critical to enhancing the efficiency of breeding programs. This study assesses blueberry industry breeding priorities for fruit and plant quality traits based on a survey conducted at commodity group meetings across nine U.S. states and in British Columbia (Canada) between Nov. 2016 and Mar. 2017. In general, industry responses signaled that the most important trait cluster was fruit quality including the firmness, flavor, and shelf life. Fruit quality traits affect price premiums received by producers; influence consumer’s preferences; and have the potential to increase the feasibility of mechanical harvesting, all critical to the economic viability of the industry. There were differences across regions in the relative importance assigned to traits for disease resistance, arthropod resistance, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Our findings will be useful to researchers seeking solutions for challenges to the North American blueberry industry including development of new cultivars with improved traits using accelerated DNA-based selection strategies.

Too Early to Worry About Blueberries

Too Early to Worry About Blueberries

γ-Aminobutyric acid delays senescence of blueberry fruit by regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolism and phenylpropanoid pathway

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment after harvest on the reactive oxygen species metabolism and phenylpropanoid pathway of blue berry fruit. Blueberry fruit were dipped in 1 mmol/L GABA solution for 10 min and stored at 4 °C and the fruit treated with distilled water were used as the control. The results indicated that GABA increased the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamate-4-hydroxylase, 4-coumarate/coenzyme A ligase and polyphenol oxidase. In addition, GABA treatment enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide content. Moreover, the accumulation of total phenolics and flavonoids in the fruit were enhanced by GABA treatment. These results suggest that GABA treatment could prolong the shelf life and delay the senescence of blueberry fruit by regulating phenylpropanoid pathway and reactive oxygen species metabolism.

MINERAL COMPOSITION AND SOME QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF ICE CREAMS MANUFACTURED WITH THE ADDITION OF BLUEBERRY

In this study, determination of some physicochemical (total dry matter, fat, ash, protein, titratable acidity, pH, complete melting time and first dripping times), sensory properties (color and appearance, resistant to melting, body and texture, flavor, gumming structure, general acceptability), and mineral contents of ice cream produced by adding blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) at different ratios was aimed. Ice creams consisted of four different samples which are control, containing 5%, 10% and 15% blueberry (BB), respectively. In the experimental ice cream samples, a decrease in total solid, fat, protein, pH and complete melting time was observed with the increment of BB, while an increase was determined in overrun and viscosity values. BB addition was also increased the contents of K, Zn, Mn and Se minerals of the ice creams. While there was no statistically significant difference in the scores given by panelists to ice cream samples, a significant (p &amp;lt;0.05) decrease in only gumming structure scores was observed with the increase in BB addition.

건조방법을 달리한 블루베리가 첨가된 아이스크림 믹스 파우더의 품질특성

건조방법을 달리한 블루베리가 첨가된 아이스크림 믹스 파우더의 품질특성

The yield of selected varieties of American Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in the first years of fruiting in the western part of Poland

Abstract This paper presents the influence of meteorological conditions prevailing in the western part of Poland on the yield of selected blueberry varieties. The research was conducted on a small plantation located in the Przyczyna Górna village, in the Wschowa district of the Lubuskie province. There are five varieties of blueberry: Patriot, Duke, Chandler, Elliott and Bleuecrop. The studied years 2014, 2015, 2016, as the first fruiting years, were presented in relation to the multi-year 2006-2016. The 2014 was the warmest year during this period with an average air temperature of 10.3 °C, whilst the lowest temperature was 7.6 °C recorded in 2010. The highest precipitation was in 2016, with the precipitation level of 760 mm. However, the year with the lowest precipitation of 418 mm turned out to be 2011. The goal of the study in 2014-2016 was to evaluate the respective yields of five varieties of blueberry on a small plantation, taking into account various meteorological conditions.