Consumption Of Raspberries Research Articles

The effects of raspberry consumption on lipid profile and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Research into the effects of raspberry on blood pressure and lipid profiles is inconclusive. This meta-analysis was aimed to determine whether raspberry has beneficial effects in clinical practice and to what extent these effects are associated with blood pressure and lipid profiles. A systematic literature search up to September 2023 was completed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify eligible RCTs. Heterogeneity tests of the selected trials were performed using the I 2 statistic. Random effects models were evaluated based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as weighted mean differences with a 95% confidence interval. Eleven randomized controlled trials (with 13 arms) were eligible for this meta-analysis. Our findings revealed that Raspberry consumption had no significant effects on the blood pressure and lipid profile markers, including systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD, -0.37 mm Hg; 95%CI: -2.19 to 1.44; p = .68), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD, -2.14 mm Hg; 95%CI: -4.27 to 0.00; p = .05), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD, -6.83 mg/dL; 95%CI: -15.11 to 1.44; p = .10), triglycerides (TG) (WMD, -5.19 mg/dL: 95%CI: -11.76 to 1.37; p = .12), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD, -5.19 mg/dL; 95%CI: -11.58 to 1.18; p = .11), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD, 0.82 mg/dL; 95%CI: -1.67 to 3.32; p = .51), compared to control groups. Subgroup analysis showed that raspberry consumption significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in people with elevated TC levels, metabolic syndrome, and andropause symptoms, as well as those older than 35, while the consumption of raspberries led to a significant increase in HDL-C levels in females, obese, under 35, and healthy individuals. Raspberry can improve lipid profile and blood pressure, but it is important to keep in mind that further research is necessary to fully understand the exact mechanism of action and a definite conclusion in this regard.

Raspberry polyphenols target molecular pathways of heart failure

Approximately 650,000 new cases of heart failure (HF) are diagnosed annually with a 50% five-year mortality rate. HF is characterized by reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and hypertrophy of the LV wall. The pathophysiological remodeling of the heart is mediated by increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Raspberries are rich in polyphenols which may favorably impact enzymes involved in redox homeostasis while also targeting inflammatory signaling. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether raspberry polyphenols could attenuate HF. Sprague Dawley rats consumed a 10% (w/w) raspberry diet for 7 weeks. At week 3, HF was surgically induced via coronary artery ligation. Hemodynamics and morphology of the heart were assessed. Expression of cardiac proteins involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and remodeling were examined, and histological analysis was conducted. Additionally, human cardiomyocytes were treated with raspberry polyphenol extract (RBPE) followed by CoCl2 to chemically induce hypoxia. Redox status, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction were measured. Raspberries attenuated reductions in cardiac function and reduced morphological changes which coincided with reduced toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling. Reductions in oxidative stress, apoptosis, and remodeling occurred in vivo. Incubation of cardiomyocytes with RBPE attenuated CoCl2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis despite pronounced hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression. These data indicate that consumption of raspberries can reduce the underlying molecular drivers of HF; thus, leading to the observed improvements in cardiac functional capacity and morphology. This dietary strategy may be an effective alternative strategy for treating HF. However, further investigation into alternative models of HF is warranted.

Economic analysis of the factors influencing the supply and demand of raspberry

The subject of this research is the analysis of supply and demand of raspberries on the domestic market in order to performe a balance analysis of products and examine the partial influence of relevant factors on supply and demand. The production and consumption of raspberries in Serbia in the period from 2010-2019 is very dynamic. Raspberry production in the Republic of Serbia has significant comparative advantages compared to production in most other countries. Serbia is considered one of the largest producers of raspberries, but still, regardless of that, its comparative advantages have not been fully valorized and used. The results of the balance analysis of raspberry production and consumption indicate the existence of a surplus and potential for export. The analysis of ANOVA variances established a high correlation dependence and pointed out the need to improve competitiveness in the production of raspberries and final products in order to meet the domestic market and exports to the world market. The obtained results enabled the formulation of regression equations of both the function of raspberry supply and its demand, which can be used to predict these values in the future.

Effects of Daily Raspberry Consumption on Immune-Metabolic Health in Subjects at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Consumption of red raspberries has been reported to exert acute beneficial effects on postprandial glycemia, insulinemia, triglyceridemia, and cytokine levels in metabolically disturbed subjects. In a two-arm parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial, 59 subjects with overweight or abdominal obesity and with slight hyperinsulinemia or hypertriglyceridemia were randomized to consume 280 g/day of frozen raspberries or to maintain their usual diet for 8 weeks. Primary analyses measured metabolic differences between the groups. Secondary analyses performed with omics tools in the intervention group assessed blood gene expression and plasma metabolomic changes following the raspberry supplementation. The intervention did not significantly affect plasma insulin, glucose, inflammatory marker concentrations, nor blood pressure. Following the supplementation, 43 genes were differentially expressed, and several functional pathways were enriched, a major portion of which were involved in the regulation of cytotoxicity, immune cell trafficking, protein signal transduction, and interleukin production. In addition, 10 serum metabolites were found significantly altered, among which β-alanine, trimethylamine N-oxide, and bioactive lipids. Although the supplementation had no meaningful metabolic effects, these results highlight the impact of a diet rich in raspberry on the immune function and phospholipid metabolism, thus providing novel insights into potential immune-metabolic pathways influenced by regular raspberry consumption.

Effects of Berries on High-Fat Diet-Induced Inflammation

Abstract Objectives Studies suggest that inflammation mediates the link between obesity and its comorbidities including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Hence, there is a demand for effective alternative or complementary approaches to treat obesity-associated inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine whether consumption of blackberries (BL) and raspberries (RB) alone or in combination reduce obesity-induced inflammation. Methods In Vitro Study: RAW 264.7 macrophages were pretreated with either BL, RB, or BL + RB, each at a final concentration of 200 µg/mL for 2 h. LPS (1 ng/mL) was then added to the media for 16 h. mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was measured. In Vivo Study: Five-week-old mice were acclimated to a low-fat low-sucrose (LFLS) diet for one week after which mice were randomized 10 per group to one of five groups: 1) LFLS, 2) high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS), 3) HFHS + 10% BL, 4) HFHS + 10% RB, or 5) HFHS + 5% BL + 5% RB. Expression of inflammatory markers was measured in the liver as well as epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue. Results In Vitro Study: Each berry alone and in combination suppressed the LPS-induced increase in inflammatory markers, with the combination (BL + RB) having the greatest effect. The combination suppressed LPS-induced expression of Ccl2, Tnfa, F4/80, and Il6 by 3.7−, 5.3−, 5.3−, and 4.4-fold, respectively. In Vivo Study: Gene expression analysis indicated that berry consumption had no significant effect on proinflammatory (Ccl2, Il1b, Tnfa, Il6, Itgam) or anti-inflammatory (Adipoq, Arg1, Mgl1) markers in adipose tissue depots or liver. However, relatively low gene expression of inflammatory markers in the tissues indicates that the mice fed the HFHS diet failed to develop a robust inflammatory state. Conclusions BL and RB have direct anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells. Initial analysis indicates that consumption of BL and RB has no significant effects on markers of inflammation in a diet-induced mouse model of obesity. However, it is possible that the relatively low levels of inflammation in these mice masked the anti-inflammatory potential of BL and RB. Ongoing analysis will provide additional insights into the effects of BL and RB on inflammation in these tissues. Funding Sources Lewis Foundation Award.

Efficiency of PEG secondary concentration and PCR for the simultaneous concentration and quantification of foodborne bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Fresh fruits are a potential source of many different pathogens, including bacteria, enteric viruses and protozoa that may pose serious health risks. The consumption of raspberries has been widely associated with large foodborne outbreaks and because of the low concentration at which most of these pathogens are found, sensitive and accurate detection methods are required. Methods that would allow for an accurate and sensitive simultaneous elution and concentration of the different classes of pathogens would decrease the time for analysis, the costs associated and the expertise necessary. In this study we explored the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) secondary concentration to simultaneously concentrate bacteria, enteric viruses and protozoa from raspberries. PEG secondary concentration showed good recovery rates for all the organisms tested. This work indicates that PEG secondary concentration followed by quantitative (Reverse Transcription) Polymerase Chain Reaction (q(RT)PCR) may be a relevant alternative to standardized methods for the simultaneous concentration of bacteria, enteric viruses and protozoa.

Consumption of Black Raspberries Altered the Composition of the Fecal Microbiome in Mice Fed a Western Type Diet (OR04-01-19)

ObjectivesDietary strategies to reduce colonic inflammation and promote gut homeostasis may markedly reduce the risk of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Previously, we showed that dietary supplementation with black raspberries significantly suppressed colitis and colon tumorigenesis promoted by the consumption a Western type diet in mice. In this study, our goal was to assess the impact of consumption of the TWD with and without black raspberry supplementation on the composition of the fecal microbiome over the course of disease development. MethodsC57BL/6 J male mice were fed a standard diet (AIN93G), the total Western diet (TWD), TWD + 5% (w/w) black raspberry powder (BRB) or TWD + 10% (w/w) BRB for 16 weeks total. After two weeks of feeding test diets, all mice were dosed with axozymethane and provided 1% dextran sodium sulfate in drinking water for 10 days to promote colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis. Composition of the fecal microbiome was determined by standard 16S rRNA sequencing following two weeks of dietary treatment, during active colitis immediately following DSS treatment and again two weeks later during the recovery period. ResultsFecal microbiome profiles in mice fed diets supplemented with 5 or 10% BRB were distinct from those fed AIN93G or TWD diets, shown by significant differences in beta diversity at each of the time points (unweighted unifrac distance, permanova P < 0.01). During active colitis, alpha diversity was significantly reduced in mice fed TWD + 10%BRB compared to TWD-fed positive controls (Chao1, P = 0.04; Shannon, P = 0.006). Also of interest, LEfSe analysis identified bacteria families Bifidobacteriacea (Bifidobacteriumpseudolongum), Streptococcaceae (genus Lactococcus), and Turicibacteraceae (genus Turicibacter) as discriminating taxa for mice fed TWD with BRB supplementation compared to those fed TWD. Also during colitis, both Bifidobacteriaceae and Turicibacteraceae families also distinguished TWD + BRB groups from mice fed AIN93G diet, whereas Verrucomicrobiaceae (Akkermansia muciniphila) distinguished TWD-fed mice from AIN93G negative controls. ConclusionsConsumption of BRB at diet-relevant concentrations altered the composition of the gut microbiome in favor of some known health-promoting bacteria, a change the may explain the suppression of colitis and colon tumorigenesis previously observed. Funding SourcesUSDA NIFA Grant# 2018-67017-27516 and Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Project UTA-1178.

Novel colon-available triterpenoids identified in raspberry fruits exhibit antigenotoxic activities in vitro.

Ileostomy studies provide a unique insight into digestion of food, allowing identification of physiologically relevant dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites important to gut health. We previously reported the consistent increase of components in ileal fluids of ileostomates after consumption of raspberries with use of nontargeted LC-MSn techniques and data deconvolution software highlighting two major unknown components (m/z 355 and 679). In-depth LC-MSn analyses suggested that the ileal m/z 355 components were p-coumaroyl glucarates. These compounds have not been identified previously and were confirmed in raspberry extracts after partial purification. The major ileal component with m/z 679 was a glycoside with an aglycone of m/z 517 and was present as two peaks in extracts of whole puree, unseeded puree, and isolated seeds. These components were purified using Sephadex LH20 and C18 SPE units and identified as major, novel raspberry triterpenoid glycosides. This triterpenoid-enriched fraction (100 nM) protected against H2 O2 -induced DNA damage in both colon cancer and normal cell lines and altered expression of cytoprotective genes. The presence of these novel raspberry triterpenoid components in ileal fluids indicates that they would be colon-available in vivo, so confirmation of their anticancer bioactivities is of key physiological relevance.

Exploring Perceptions of Raspberries and Blueberries by Italian Consumers

Consumers can be important active contributors to a sustainable society by selecting foods that are produced respecting environmental and socially ethical standards. In the fruit sector, sustainability issues are often associated with imprecisely defined concepts such as “locally grown”, “freshness” and “local product”. This study has investigated raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) purchases in order to identify how berry fruits choice attributes are ranked by consumers in two Italian Regions, using a choice experiment (best-worst methodology). Twelve attributes—that indirectly refer to the concept of environmental sustainability—have been investigated. According to the preferences expressed by our sample of retail purchasers (n = 669), the results show that the reasons for the purchase of berries are associated with numerous parameters among which freshness and product origin are the most important and price was not ranked as so relevant. These findings indirectly testify the consumer attention towards the sustainability of local production and the link between sustainability and territory. Therefore, we can presume that the improvement of consumer familiarity with attributes such as “locally grown” and “local product” could support more eco-friendly consumption of raspberries and blueberries.

Nontargeted LC-MSn Profiling of Compounds in Ileal Fluids That Decrease after Raspberry Intake Identifies Consistent Alterations in Bile Acid Composition.

Ileostomy studies provide a unique insight into the digestion of foods, allowing identification of physiologically relevant dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites that are important to gut health. We previously reported an increase of components, including novel triterpenoids, in ileal fluids of 11 ileostomates following consumption of raspberries using nontargeted LC-MSn techniques in combination with data deconvolution software. The current study focused on components that consistently decreased postsupplementation. After data deconvolution, 32 components were identified that met exclusion parameters of m/z signals and which decreased significantly in ileal fluids from eight of 11 participants post-raspberry supplementation. Two-thirds of these components were identified putatively from their MS properties. Consistent decreases were observed in components that possibly reflected "washing out" of presupplementation intake of common foods/drinks including (poly)phenol metabolites. Metabolites associated with fat metabolism such as hydroxylated fatty acids and cholate-type bile acids were specifically reduced. However, more directed re-examination of the data revealed that although some cholates were consistently reduced, the more polar glyco- and tauro-linked bile acid derivatives increased consistently, by as much as 100-fold over presupplementation levels. The possible reasons for these substantial alterations in bile acid composition in ileal fluids in response to raspberry intake are discussed.

An Early Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement of discovered in Alepu lagoon (municipality of Sozopol, department of Burgas), Bulgaria

A new pile-dwelling settlement has been discovered during coring investigations on the shores of the Alepu lagoon (municipality of Sozopol, department of Burgas), on the western Black Sea coast, in Bulgaria. A multi-disciplinary methodology was applied to analyze the archaeological dataset, composed of wood piles, abundant charcoals and wood fragments, seeds, fish and shell remains, a few small bone fragments, some lithic fragments and potsherds. The piles were trimmed from oak trees and sunk into lagoonal muds, and currently lie 5.8 to 6.8 m below mean sea level. It highlights a wooden building at the edge of Alepu palaeo-lagoon. Charcoal remains confirm the use of oak tree as a dominant timber resource, consistent with pollen data for this period. Palaeo-botanic remains highlight gathering activities and the consumption of wild grapes, raspberries and figs. The herbaceous assemblage evokes deforestation activities. Exploitation of coastal resources is well attested by the great density of fish remains, dominated by anchovy (61%), highlighting possible preservation of fish products. Five radiocarbon dates constrain the age of the site to between 3350 and 3000 cal. BC.The Alepu piles-dwelling settlement sheds new light on the very beginning of the Early Bronze Age in coastal Bulgaria. Adding fresh information to the local archaeological record, it completes the well-discussed issue of the protohistoric submerged settlements, revealing in turn the economic strategies of the societies at the end of the transitional period. Considerations about geomorphological settings of these sites underline the evolution of the regional settlement patterns, as well as the importance of lagoonal locations. Lagoon contexts not only offer abundant fish resources, as attested by our data from Alepu, but also good conditions for anchorage. These sites were later drowned, preserved and buried following the relative rise of the Black Sea level.

Seven Day Blackberry Feeding Affects the Energy Substrate Profile in Males And Improves Insulin Sensitivity

In the obesogenic environment, bioactive food components show promise in ameliorating metabolic dysfunction related to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Preliminary animal studies on berries indicate that body composition, weight, and clinical markers of glucose regulation may be positively impacted by consumption of anthocyanin rich blue and black raspberries. The aim of our pilot study was to determine the influence of blackberry feeding on clinical markers related to glucose regulation as well as substrate utilization measured by indirect calorimetry in humans. This randomized, controlled, cross-over study was conducted at the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center. Fifteen overweight or obese male subjects (age range 31–69) were fed a controlled, high fat diet (40% en from fat) for 7 days that included either 600 g/d of fresh blackberries (BB) or an isocaloric amount of gelatin (control). There was a 7 day washout period between treatments. For the last 24 hours of each treatment period, subjects remained inside of a room-sized indirect calorimeter, where a breakfast meal tolerance test (MTT, 75 g of sugar from waffle and syrup) was administered with their treatment, and timed blood draws (−15, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 min) were collected and analyzed for glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids. Energy expenditure (EE), substrate oxidation, and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured from gas exchange for the total 24 hr period as well as specific isolated time periods. Data were analyzed with mixed models using BMI, age, and treatment order, and their interactions with treatment as covariates. AUC of glucose was not different between BB and gelatin treatment (4286 vs 5027 mg·dL−1·min, respectively, p=0.17). However, AUC of insulin was lower after consumption of BB compared to gelatin (5322 vs 7325 uU·ml−1·min, p=0.008). During this 4 hr MTT period, EE was not different between the 2 treatments (BB, 405 kcal; gelatin, 399 kcal, p=0.79). However, preliminary data suggest that an interaction between BMI and treatment may be affecting RQ such that RQ is lower in higher BMI subjects fed BB compared to gelatin. Across the 24 hr period, RQ and EE were not different between the two treatments (.82 vs .83, 2184 vs 2124 kcal, respectively; BB vs gelatin treatments). However, during the 4 hr period that started with dinner, preliminary data suggest that a significant interaction of treatment and BMI for EE and RQ were observed (p=0.0385 and p=0.0059, respectively) where the BMI effect is the opposite of what was observed for the MTT time period; subjects with lower BMIs had a greater EE and lower RQ when fed BBs and the effect was attenuated with higher BMI subjects. The 24 hr stay in the calorimeter included 30 min of treadmill walking in the afternoon following the MTT. During this time period, a significant interaction of BMI with treatment demonstrated a decrease in RQ in higher BMI subjects fed BBs compared to gelatin (p for interaction = 0.041). In addition to improved insulin sensitivity, our data suggest a potential for anthocyanin rich BBs to change adiposity as RQ was indicative of preferential oxidation of fat for energy in higher BMI subjects during the MTT as well as during a bout of non-strenuous activity. Further, beneficial effects of BBs may not be limited to overweight/obese subjects in terms of switching substrates to increase fat oxidation. More subjects are being enrolled to confirm these preliminary findings. Support or Funding Information This study is funded by the USDA. Serum insulin by treatment across the 4 hour meal tolerance test. Serum glucose by treatment across the 4 hour meal tolerance test.

Dietary Consumption of Black Raspberries or Their Anthocyanin Constituents Alters Innate Immune Cell Trafficking in Esophageal Cancer.

Freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB), their component anthocyanins (AC), and a metabolite of BRB ACs, protocatechuic acid (PCA), inhibit the development of esophageal cancer in rats induced by the carcinogen, N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA). All three components reduce inflammation in the esophagus and in plasma. The present study determined the relation of changes in inflammatory markers to infiltration of innate immune cells into NMBA-treated esophagus. Rats were injected with NMBA (0.35 mg/kg) for 5 weeks while on control diet. Following NMBA treatment, rats were fed diets containing 6.1% BRB powder, an AC-rich fraction of BRBs (3.8 μmol/g), or 500 ppm PCA. At weeks 15, 25, and 35, inflammatory biomarker expression in the plasma and esophagus was quantified, and infiltration of immune cells in the esophagus was examined. At all three time points, BRB, AC, and PCA similarly affected cytokine production in the esophagus and plasma of NMBA-treated rats, relative to the NMBA-only control. These included decreased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL1β and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10. Moreover, all three diets also increased the expression of IL12, a cytokine that activates both cytolytic natural killer and CD8(+) T cells. In addition, the three diets also decreased infiltration of both macrophages and neutrophils into the esophagus. Overall, our results suggest that another mechanism by which BRBs, ACs, and PCA inhibit NMBA-induced esophageal tumorigenesis is by altering cytokine expression and innate immune cell trafficking into tumor tissues.

Persistence of human norovirus GII.4 and GI.4, murine norovirus, and human adenovirus on soft berries as compared with PBS at commonly applied storage conditions

Human noroviruses (hNoV) have been detected on soft fruits. Especially raspberries have been found to be associated with outbreaks of gastroenteritis suggesting persistence of hNoV on these fruits. Therefore, the persistence of hNoV GII.4 and GI.4, murine norovirus (MNV-1, a culturable surrogate for hNoV), and human adenovirus (hAdV, an indicator for human fecal contamination), on raspberries, strawberries and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4°C, 10°C and 21°C, mimicking commonly applied storage conditions was studied by molecular and cell culture techniques. Monophasic, biphasic and Weibull models were fitted to virus counts with maximum likelihood estimation. The tested viruses were persistent (≤0.5 log10-unit reduction in viral titer) under all studied conditions in PBS, at 4°C and 10°C on raspberries, and at 4°C on strawberries. The difference in viral persistence on raspberries and strawberries was most pronounced at 21°C. Here, infectious MNV-1 and hAdV particles decayed rapidly on strawberries with TFL-values (time for the first log10-unit reduction) of only 1day (95% CI of 0.6–1 and 0.8–1days, respectively). On raspberries, however, the TFL-value of infectious MNV-1 was found to likely exceed the shelf life of the berries with 3days (95% CI of 2.8–3.1days); hAdV remained infectious with only 0.3 log10-unit reduction (95% CI of 0.2–0.4) in viral titer. For hNoV GI, a TFL-value of 2days (95% CI 1–4days) was determined based on the targeted genome fragment, whereas the TFL-value of hNoV GII exceeded the shelf life of strawberries at 21°C. The greater viral persistence on raspberries as compared to strawberries, especially at 21°C, may at least in part explain why raspberries are more frequently associated with hNoV outbreaks than strawberries. Moreover, our results show that due to the high persistence of the virus already low contamination levels of the highly infectious hNoV may be associated with an infection risk of humans after consumption of raspberries. The estimated decay parameters and uncertainties of this study serve as important input requirements in the quantitative assessment of public health risks from the consumption of soft fruits.

Use of mass spectrometry fingerprinting to identify urinary metabolites after consumption of specific foods

The lack of robust biological markers of dietary exposure hinders the quantitative understanding of causal relations between diet and health. We aimed to develop an efficient procedure to discover metabolites in urine that may have future potential as biomarkers of acute exposure to foods of high public health importance. Twenty-four participants were provided with a test breakfast in which the cereal component of a standardized breakfast was replaced by 1 of 4 foods of high public health importance; 1.5-, 3-, and 4.5-h postprandial urine samples were collected. Flow infusion electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry followed by supervised multivariate data analysis was used to discover signals resulting from consumption of each test food. Fasted-state urine samples provided a universal comparator for food biomarker lead discovery in postprandial urine. The filtering of data features associated with consumption of the common components of the standardized breakfast improved discrimination models and readily identified metabolites that showed consumption of specific test foods. A combination of trimethylamine-N-oxide and 1-methylhistidine was associated with salmon consumption. Novel ascorbate derivatives were discovered in urine after consumption of either broccoli or raspberries. Sulphonated caffeic acid and sulphonated methyl-epicatechin concentrations increased dramatically after consumption of raspberries. This biomarker lead discovery strategy can identify urinary metabolites associated with acute exposure to individual foods. Future studies are required to validate the specificity and utility of potential biomarkers in an epidemiologic context.

Bioavailability of Anthocyanins and Ellagitannins Following Consumption of Raspberries by Healthy Humans and Subjects with an Ileostomy

The fate of anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and ellagitannins was studied following the consumption of 300 g of raspberries by healthy human volunteers and subjects with an ileostomy. Postingestion plasma and urine from the former and ileal fluid and urine from the latter group were collected and analyzed by HPLC-PDA-MS(2). Plasma from the healthy volunteers did not contain detectable quantities of either the native raspberry polyphenolics or their metabolites. The three main raspberry anthocyanins were excreted in urine in both healthy and ileostomy volunteers 0-7 h after ingestion, in quantities corresponding to <0.1% of intake. This indicates a low level of absorption in the small intestine. With ileostomy volunteers 40% of anthocyanins and 23% of the ellagitannin sanguiin H-6 were recovered in ileal fluid with the main excretion period being the first 4 h after raspberry consumption. The recovery of ellagic acid in ileal fluid was 241%, indicating hydrolysis of ellagitannins in the stomach and/or the small intestine. Urinary excretion of ellagic acid and an ellagic acid-O-glucuronide was <1% of intake. No intact or conjugated forms of ellagitannins were detected in urine from either healthy subjects or ileostomy volunteers. However, in healthy subjects, but not the ileostomists, ellagitannins were catabolized with the appearance of urolithin A-O-glucuronide, two of its isomers, and urolithin B-O-glucuronide in urine collected 7-48 h after raspberry consumption. There was marked variation in the urolithin profile of individual volunteers, indicating differences in the colonic microflora responsible for ellagitannin degradation.

Environmental and seasonal influences on red raspberry anthocyanin antioxidant contents and identification of quantitative traits loci (QTL)

Consumption of raspberries promotes human health through intake of pharmaceutically active antioxidants, including cyanidin and pelargonidin anthocyanins; products of flavonoid metabolism and also pigments conferring colour to fruit. Raspberry anthocyanin contents could be enhanced for nutritional health and quality benefits utilising DNA polymorphisms in modern marker assisted breeding. The objective was to elucidate factors determining anthocyanin production in these fruits. HPLC quantified eight anthocyanin cyanidin and pelargonidin glycosides: -3-sophoroside, -3-glucoside, -3-rutinoside and -3-glucosylrutinoside across two seasons and two environments in progeny from a cross between two Rubus subspecies, Rubus idaeus (cv. Glen Moy)xRubus strigosus (cv. Latham). Significant seasonal variation was detected across pigments less for different growing environments within seasons. Eight antioxidants mapped to the same chromosome region on linkage group (LG) 1, across both years and from fruits grown in field and under protected cultivation. Seven antioxidants also mapped to a region on LG 4 across years and for both growing sites. A chalcone synthase (PKS 1) gene sequence mapped to LG 7 but did not underlie the anthocyanin quantitative traits loci (QTL) identified. Other candidate genes including basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH), NAM/CUC2-like protein and bZIP transcription factor underlying the mapped anthocyanins were identified.

Identification of four IgE‐reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaeus L.)

IgE-reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) were identified using PCR, RT-PCR, 2-DE and MS/MS peptide sequencing. Specific polyclonal antibodies and patient sera were used in Western blotting to identify crossreactive epitopes. Initially, two potential allergens Rub i 1 and Rub i 3 were detected using PCR, showing high sequence identity to proteins in Rosaceous species like Mal d 1 and Mal d 3 from apple, Pru av 1 and Pru av 3 from cherry and Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 from peach. Furthermore, de novo identified peptides of a protein band at about 30 kDa reacting with most of the patient sera tested (> 80%) revealed a high sequence homology with class III chitinases. Raspberry chitinase, when subjected to glycoproteomic analysis, showed typical complex plant-type N-glycans with a core alpha1,3 fucose and a beta1,2 xylose at least at one position, indicating the presence of crossreacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Finally, MS/MS analysis revealed an IgE-reactive raspberry cyclophilin, homologous to Bet v 7. Results obtained suggest that the consumption of raspberries might be responsible for adverse reactions in sensitised individuals.

Effects of Pesticides on Sporulation of Cyclospora cayetanensis and Viability of Cryptosporidium parvum

Disease outbreaks caused by the coccidian parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis in food have been linked to consumption of raspberries that may have been contaminated through exposure to water mixed with insecticides and fungicides that may have been sprayed onto the berries. Three different fungicides (captan 50% W.P., benomyl 50% W.P., and zineb 75% W.P.) and two different insecticides (malathion 25% W.P. and diazinon 4E 47.5%) were evaluated at five different concentrations and for exposure times of 30 min to 1 week. Sporulation of C. cayetanensis did not decrease with use of any of the pesticides from time periods of 30 min to 24 h at all concentrations. Sporulation percentage was reduced with the fungicide benomyl at 1 week of exposure. The growth of the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum was also evaluated using captan 50% W.P., benomyl 50% W.P., and diazinon 4E 47.5%. Oocyst infectivity was reduced only after 7 days of exposure. These results indicate that these pesticides used at recommended concentration levels do not affect the sporulation of Cyclospora.

Ellagitannins - nature, occurrence and dietary burden

The occurrence of ellagitannins in common foodstuffs is limited to a few fruit and nut species. Dietary intake of ellagitannins is largely explained by the consumption of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. No reliable figures are available for the ellagitannin burden, but it will probably not exceed 5 mg day−1. Their bioavailability is not well defined. A fraction of the ellagitannins ingested is hydrolysed in the gut and the resulting ellagic acid absorbed and metabolised, but whether intact ellagitannins are absorbed is not clear. There are apparently conflicting claims for beneficial and toxic effects caused by ellagitannins, ellagic acid or ellagitannin-containing extracts in various animal species including rodents and ruminants. It seems unlikely that normal consumption can cause toxic effects in man, but any attempt to increase the intake significantly in pursuit of the suggested benefits should be resisted until the metabolism and pharmacokinetics are better understood. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry