Cyanidin Glycosides Research Articles

Anthocyanins protect the gastrointestinal tract from high fat diet-induced alterations in redox signaling, barrier integrity and dysbiosis

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract can play a critical role in the development of pathologies associated with overeating, overweight and obesity. We previously observed that supplementation with anthocyanins (AC) (particularly glycosides of cyanidin and delphinidin) mitigated high fat diet (HFD)-induced development of obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice. This paper investigated whether these beneficial effects could be related to AC capacity to sustain intestinal monolayer integrity, prevent endotoxemia, and HFD-associated dysbiosis. The involvement of redox-related mechanisms were further investigated in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Consumption of a HFD for 14 weeks caused intestinal permeabilization and endotoxemia, which were associated with a decreased ileum expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin, ZO-1 and claudin-1), increased expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX1 and NOX4) and NOS2 and oxidative stress, and activation of redox sensitive signals (NF-κB and ERK1/2) that regulate TJ dynamics. AC supplementation mitigated all these events and increased GLP-2 levels, the intestinal hormone that upregulates TJ protein expression. AC also prevented, in vitro, tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced Caco-2 monolayer permeabilization, NOX1/4 upregulation, oxidative stress, and NF-κB and ERK activation. HFD-induced obesity in mice caused dysbiosis and affected the levels and secretion of MUC2, a mucin that participates in intestinal cell barrier protection and immune response. AC supplementation restored microbiota composition and MUC2 levels and distribution in HFD-fed mice. Thus, AC, particularly delphinidin and cyanidin, can preserve GI physiology in HFD-induced obesity in part through redox-regulated mechanisms. This can in part explain AC capacity to mitigate pathologies, i.e. insulin resistance and steatosis, associated with HFD-associated obesity.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) fruit by-products, a promising underexploited source of high-added value compounds

Abstract The pulp of the fruits of Jucara (Euterpes edulis Martius), a native tree of the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil, is widely consumed thanks to its flavour and nutritional value. The industrial production of Jucara fruit pulp generates solid residues (peel) which are usually discarded. In this work, a hydroalcoholic extract from Jucara peel flour was evaluated for its phenolic profile as well as for its bioactivities. A total of nineteen phenolic compounds were identified in the Jucara peel flour. Among these, seventeen were non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds, namely two phenolic acids, four flavanonols, six flavones, and five flavonols; whereas the two anthocyanin molecules were cyanidin glycoside derivatives. The Euterpe edulis peel flour presented antioxidant activity and antibacterial potential but was not hepatotoxic. These observations corroborate the idea that this by-product could fit well into the circular bioeconomy concept, thus promoting the Jucara fruit production chain.

Влияние различных технологических факторов на состав антоцианов при производстве вина из черной смородины

Anthocyanins obtained from raw fruit have valuable biological and antioxidant properties, hence the relevance of any research aimed at the development of technological solutions for their maximum preservation in wine. The present research features the changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of anthocyanins found in black currant during wine production with the use of enzymatic maceration of the pulp. The authors determined the most effective ways of increasing the concentration of anthocyanins in the finished product. They used the method of pH-differential spectrophotometry to evaluate the total content of monomeric anthocyanins in the samples and the HPLC method to determine the concentration of individual anthocyanins. The DPPH and ABTS methods were used to measure the antioxidant activity. The pulp of black currant was treated according to four schemes: 1) heat maceration; 2) heat maceration with enzymatic treatment; 3) enzymatic maceration at the optimum temperature for enzyme activity; 4) enzymatic maceration at a low temperature. Eleven anthocyanins were identified in the black currant juice, most of which were glycosides of delphinidin and cyanidin. The highest extraction of anthocyanins was observed when the pulp was processed with the help of Fructozim Kolor enzyme preparation at 22–23°C during four hours. As a result, the proportion of delphinidins decreased while the proportion of cianidins rose by 9%. When the pulp was heated to ≥ 45°C, it led to an intensification of the redox process and formation of insoluble complexes of anthocyanins with the nitrogenous compounds, which reduced the total concentration of anthocyanins. It was established that in the process of fermentation, the anthocyanin concentration decreased by 19–58%, depending on the race of yeast. For fermentation of blackcurrant wort, the authors recommend the following races of yeast: Moscow 30, Blackcurrant 7, and UWY SP1. The research revealed that the antioxidant properties of black currant wort and wine increased when the total concentration of anthocyanins was high.

Antiobesity Effect of Fermented Chokeberry Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Black-fruited chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa), growing mainly in the Central and Eastern European countries, have health benefits due to the high concentrations of polyphenolic compounds. However, a strong bitter taste of chokeberries limits its usage as functional food. We hypothesized that the fermented A. melanocarpa with a reduced bitter taste would improve insulin sensitivity and/or ameliorate weight gain induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in male C57BL/6J mice. The mice were administered with HFD together with the 100 mg/kg of natural A. melanocarpa (T1) or the fermented A. melanocarpa (T2) for 8 weeks. The treatment with T2 (100 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) markedly attenuated the weight gain and the increase in serum triglyceride level induced by HFD. The T2-treated group had better glucose tolerance and higher insulin sensitivity as measured by oral glucose tolerance test and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test in comparison to the T1-treated group. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the main constituents of T2 were cyanidin-3-xyloside and 1-(3',4'-dihydroxycinnamoyl)cyclopenta-2,3-diol, and the content of cyanidin glycosides (3-glucoside, 3-xyloside) was significantly reduced during the fermentation process. From the above results, we postulated that antiobesity effect of black chokeberry was not closely correlated with the cyanidin content. Fermented chokeberry might be a viable dietary supplement rich in bioactive compounds useful in preventing obesity.

Intestinal absorption of black chokeberry cyanidin 3-glycosides is promoted by capsaicin and capsiate in a rat ligated small intestinal loop model.

Recent studies have shown that aronia (black chokeberry) and haskap fruits (contain anthocyanins) have beneficial health effects in animals and humans. However, some reports have shown that anthocyanin is poorly absorbed in the small intestine. In this study, we compared the intestinal absorption of aronia and haskap anthocyanins by using rats with a ligated small intestinal loop and cannulated portal vein. Our results clearly showed that the intestinal absorption of aronia anthocyanins was significantly lower than that of haskap anthocyanins, suggesting that the intestinal absorption of anthocyanins is influenced by the glycoside type (galactoside or glucoside). In addition, we also examined the effects of capsaicin and capsiate on intestinal anthocyanin absorption. The amount of aronia anthocyanins in portal blood was much higher when they were co-administered with capsaicin or capsiate. Our study is the first to show that the intestinal absorption of aronia anthocyanins is promoted by capsaicin and capsiate.

The value of the Brazilian açai fruit as a therapeutic nutritional strategy for chronic kidney disease patients.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) fruit from the Amazon region in Brazil contains bioactive compounds such as α-tocopherol, anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-glycoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside), and other flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the prebiotic activity of anthocyanins in modulating the composition of gut microbiota has emerged as an additional mechanism by which anthocyanins exert health-promoting effects. Açai consumption may be a nutritional therapeutic strategy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients since these patients present with oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis. However, the ability of açai to modulate these conditions has not been studied in CKD, and this review presents recent information about açai and its possible therapeutic effects in CKD.

Investigation of lignans and anthocyanins as the main biologically active polyphenols of Schizandra chinensis fruits

For the first time the content and composition of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans and anthocyanins in 10 samples of Chinese magnolia-vine fruits (Schizandra chinensis) collected in the Moscow Region, Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai were studied. The determination of the profile of lignans was carried out according to the our original HPLC technique with diode-array spectrophotometric and mass spectrometric detection. The validation of the methodology for linearity, accuracy and precision was carried out. 11 characteristic for Schizandra chinensis lignans were found in all samples. In dried fruits the main lignan was schisandrine, in fresh-frozen fruits - angeloylgomizin O. The total content of lignans in fresh-frozen fruits was 5.50 mg/g, in dried fruits - from 12.50 to 18.95 mg/g. Anthocyanins of Chinese magnolia-vine were mainly represented by cyanidin glycosides, among which cyanidin-3-xylosylrutinoside was predominated. The total content of anthocyanins determined by pH-differential spectrophotometry was from 0.21 mg/g in fresh-frozen fruits to 0.35-0.72 mg/g in dried fruits. The results obtained can be used to identify and standardize the fruits of Chinese magnolia- vine and the products of their processing.

Anthocyanins from the Red Flowers of Meconopsis wallichi in Bhutan

Three anthocyanins were isolated from the red flowers of Meconopsis wallichi in Bhutan. They were characterized as cyanidin 3- O-glucoside, cyanidin 3- O-sambubioside and cyanidin 3- O-(succinylsambubioside) by UV-VIS, LC-MS, acid hydrolysis, alkaline saponification, and HPLC comparisons with authentic samples. The latter anthocyanin was reported in nature for the first time. However, flavonoids except for anthocyanins were not found in the flowers, showing that the red color is due to three cyanidin glycosides alone, without copigments and metals. Although the anthocyanins were reported from the blue flowers of three Meconopsis species, those of red flower Meconopsis species were characterized for the first time.

Phenolic Profile, Mineral Content and Antibacterial Activity of the Methanol Extract of Vaccinium myrtillus L.

Bilberry is considered as one of the most economically important wild berries. However, bilberry is not enough investigated, and there are only a few published works. Therefore, we performed in one place complete qualitative analysis, antimicrobial activity against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and contents of metals. In our research, it was found that bilberry contains different active phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, delphinidin glycoside, delphinidin arabinoside, cyanidin glycoside, cyanidin arabinoside, malvidin glycoside, peonidin glycoside, and malvidin arabinoside. The content of metals was different in leaves and fruits. In our samples, the content of aluminum, boron, barium, calcium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, silicon and zinc was higher, and contents of potassium, magnesium, and sodium were lower than in bilberry samples investigated in Latvia. Antimicrobial activity of investigated extracts was evaluated against laboratory control strains from ATCC collection, Gram (+) bacteria: Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433, Propionibacterium acnae ATCC 11827, and Gram (-) bacteria: Escherichia coli ATCC 9863, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Acinetobacter boumanii ATCC 196060, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 12453, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 10031, and against related strains isolated from human wound swabs. V. myrtillus extract was less potent against strains from wounds compared to ATCC strains as well Gram (-) bacteria compared to Gram (+) bacteria. The most sensitive strains were St. epidermidis, St. pyogenes, P. mirabilis and S. aureus.

Identification and quantification of anthocyanins in different coloured cultivars of ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC)

ABSTRACTAnthocyanins are responsible for the colour of many fruits, vegetables, flowers, and coloured-leaved trees. Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC) is widely cultivated for its colourful inner leaves. To investigate the relationship between the degree of colouration and anthocyanin distribution, content, and composition in ornamental kale, the authors studied the pigment characteristics of five cultivars with different coloured leaves (white, pink, red, purple, and purple-black). Microscopy observation, spectrophotometer, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis of fresh inner leaves revealed that pink, red, and purple colourations were associated with high levels of anthocyanin, while purple-black was the result of the combination of anthocyanins and chlorophyll. In the coloured cultivars, anthocyanins were abundant mainly in the first and second cell layers below the epidermis in both the hypocotyls and inner leaves. No anthocyanin was found in the white-leaved phenotype cultivar. Anthocyanin content increased as leaf colour deepened from pink, red, to purple cultivars, which had little chlorophyll and carotenoid. The authors identified eight anthocyanins in the four coloured cultivars, including one non-acylated, four monoacylated, and three diacylated cyanidin glycosides. Cyanidin-3-(sinapoyl)(feruloyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin in the four coloured cultivars followed by cyanidin-3-(sinapoyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside. The analysis of anthocyanin accumulation characterisation provides important information on evaluating colouration patterns in coloured plants, and will be helpful for breeding desired leaf colours in ornamental kale.

Variación en el contenido de clorofilas, carotenos y antocianos en agallas inducidas por Neolithus spp. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) sobre Sapium haematospermum (Euphorbiaceae)

Agudelo, Ignacio; Marcelo Wagner; Rafael Ricco. 2017. “Variation in the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins in galls induced by Neolithus spp (He- miptera: Psyllidae) in Sapium haematospermum (Euphorbiaceae)”. Lilloa 54 (2). Sapium hae- matospermum Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree native to South America and is usually infested by psyllids of the Neolithus genus, which induce the formation of galls in its leaves. The insect induces anatomical and biochemical changes that form a new structure with a particular tissue arrangement to protect the host. Photographs of red galls, green galls and mature fruit were obtained. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid pigments and anthocyanins were measured by spectrophotometric techniques. Also transversal cuts were performed in order to know the histological disposition of the anthocyanin compounds; the aglycone compound was characterized by chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. Galls had a lower concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids compared to healthy leaves. Anthocyanins were found in the external epidermis of red galls; this organ had the largest concentration of these pigments and the main aglycone was cyanidin. Green galls and healthy leaves didn’t have a detectable amount of these substances. Galls had a lower concentration of photosynthetic pigments; this is an indicator of a reduced photosynthesis typical of pho- toassimilates sinks. The anthocyanins are mainly cyanidin glycosides and are located in the external epidermis; this indicates and aposematic and/or an UV-protection function.

Phenolic Accumulation in Hybrid Primrose and Pigment Distribution in Different Flower Segments

Detailed anthocyanin and flavonol profiles were investigated in three flower segments of four different hybrid primrose (Primula ×polyantha) cultivars, and individual compounds were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/mass spectrometry system. Chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoids were evaluated spectrophotometrically in the corolla tube (CT), and distal and proximal flower segments, and the color of each segment was assessed with a colorimeter. Chlorophyll b predominated over chlorophyll a in all flower segments, and the highest total chlorophyll levels were found in the CTs. Sixteen different anthocyanins (glycosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, petunidin, malvidin, and rosinidin) were identified in red, pink, and blue flower extracts. Distal segments of the red hybrid and proximal segments of the pink hybrid accumulated highest levels of total anthocyanins, and no red pigments were detected in yellow-flowered hybrid primrose. Six groups of flavonols (40 individual compounds in total) were detected in different flower segments of four hybrid primrose cultivars. Yellow primrose was characterized by the greatest diversity of flavonols as it contained four isorhamnetin, five kaempferol, six laricitrin, three myricetin, six quercetin, and six syringetin glycosides. On the other hand, the smallest variety of flavonols was detected in pink hybrids. Total phenolic content (TPC) was lowest in the CT (yellow > red > pink), significantly higher in the proximal flower segment (yellow > red > pink), and highest in the distal part of the primrose petal (yellow > pink > red).

Comparative analysis of different groups of phenolic compounds in fruit and leaf extracts of Aronia sp.: A. melanocarpa, A. arbutifolia, and A. \xd7prunifolia and their antioxidant activities

Anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids were estimated in methanolic extracts from the fruits and leaves of three chokeberries—Aronia melanocarpa, Aronia arbutifolia, and Aronia ×prunifolia. The fruits contained significant amounts of cyanidin glycosides (0.3–323.2 mg/100 g DW) and two phenolic acids: chlorogenic acid (16.3–273.5 mg/100 g DW) and neochlorogenic acid (92.3–212.6 mg/100 g DW). The leaf extracts contained high amounts of flavonols: quercetin, quercitrin, and rutin (62.1–367.0 mg/100 g DW), as well as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid (max. 724.2, 482.7, 154.7 mg/100 g DW, respectively). Of the examined materials, A. arbutifolia leaves were characterized by the highest total phenolics content (9148.2 mg gal. ac. Eq./100 g DW) and showed the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays. The results demonstrate that fruits of A. arbutifolia and A. ×prunifolia are a rich source of antioxidants and can be used as plant raw materials, alternatively to A. melanocarpa berries. Leaves of the investigated species are of potential therapeutic and dietary interest because of their high flavonol and phenolic acid content.

The Effectiveness of Vacuum-microwave Drying Methods in the Preservation of Amelanchier Berries (Amelanchier canadensis L. Medik.)

Abstract In Poland, Amelanchier berries are of considerable interest to both consumers and potential producers, which presents marketing challenges and opportunities. An attempt was made to preserve Amelanchier berries using a vacuum-microwave method of drying in order to determine its usefulness for producing microbiologically stable dried fruit with a high nutritional values. The berry variety “Prince William” (Amelanchier canadensis) was chosen as the experimental material. Vacuum-microwave drying was performed in two variants: (convective drying [CD] + vacuum microwave method [VMW]) after convective pre-drying of fruit and (VMW) without pre-drying. Unassisted CD was used as the reference method. Application of a vacuum-microwave drying method to Amelanchier berries makes it possible to obtain a stable preserved product of high-quality, yielding moderate shrinkage and good retention of bioactive compounds. An optimized method of vacuum-microwave drying, applied directly to frozen fruit, allows the retention of 70 % of cyanidin glycosides present in the raw material.

Inter- and intra-seasonal changes in anthocyanin accumulation and global metabolite profiling of six blueberry genotypes

Anthocyanin content in six blueberry genotypes was evaluated across two harvest seasons. Three southern highbush (hybrids of Vaccinium corymbosum) genotypes (Legacy, Sampson, SHF2B1-21:3) showed a dramatic and almost linear increase in total anthocyanin content across each harvest season, with an increase of up to 20mg/g dry weight (DW). The three rabbiteye (V. virgatum) genotypes (Ira, Montgomery, Onslow) showed no trend in anthocyanin content, fluctuating by up to 15mg/g DW. The relative proportions of each individual anthocyanin were also investigated. Rabbiteye genotypes contained higher percentages of cyanidin glycosides than the southern highbush genotypes, while the reverse was found for the levels of delphinidin glycosides present. For southern highbush genotypes, the percentages of malvidin and delphinidin glycosides were inversely proportional across each harvest season. Principal component analysis on the data obtained by HPLC–MS of the crude extracts clearly separated rabbiteyes and southern highbush into two discrete sets based on global metabolite profiling. Within the southern highbush grouping, genotypes were easily distinguished from one another across each harvest season, due to their separation on the scores plot, indicating that each genotype had distinctly different metabolite profile, whereas each of the rabbiteye genotypes overlapped on the scores plot, indicating commonalities in metabolite profiles.

Quantification and analysis of anthocyanin and flavonoids compositions, and antioxidant activities in onions with three different colors

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a very important vegetable crop widely cultivated throughout the world. In this study, we measured total anthocyanins and flavonols of onions of three colors. The fresh weight (FW) of total anthocyanins were (29.99±1.19), (9.64±1.30) and (0.75±0.40) mg 100 g−1 fruit in red, yellow and white onions, respectively. Likewise, the FW of total flavonoids were (111.10±5.98), (36.64±3.59), and 0 mg 100 g−1 in red, yellow and white, respectively. Four types of anthocyanins (delphinidin 3,5-diglycosides, cyanidin 3,5-diglycosides, cyanidin 3-glycosides and cyanidin 3-(6”-malonyl)-glucopyranoside) and two kinds of flavonoids (quercetin and quercetin 3-glycosides) were identified in two varieties (red and yellow bulb) of onions by HPLC/DAD-ESI/MS. The total polyphenol contents were also measured by means of Folin-Ciocalteu method. Moreover, all the concentrations of anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenols showed significantly positive correlations with antioxidant activities measured by DPPH·, ABTS·+ and FRAP assays. This study provided information on anthocyanin and flavonoids compositions that will be useful for onion breeding.

Research Concerning the Efficiency of Aronia Melanocarpa for Pharmaceutical Purpos

The major impact of many types of disease on the human body have generated medical research orientation toward biotechnology identification and extraction of active principles from natural resources. The social problem to improve the health of the population, to maintain social balance of a healthy society oriented medical-pharmaceutical research for the use of other sources of pharmaceuticals from natural sources and not synthetic chemistry. On this line of work is also included the research wich orientates pharmaceutical medical studies by using new sources of bioactive compounds such as: anthocyanes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid, tannins, vitamin P,C, B2, B6 from the shrub Aronia Melanocarpa. Besides these compounds are also found in the fruits different cyanidin glycosides: 3-galactoside, 3-glucoside, 3-arabinoside and 3-xyloside. The rich content in bioactive forms makes possible the use in treating certain diseases by using internal use in household. For internal use are used by diabetics having hypoglycemic effect, astringent properties and very strong diuretics, they are cardiac tonic, regulates blood pressure and blood glucose, treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, it has a good hepatoprotective effect due to its high iodine content , are effective in hyperthyroidism and can be consumed by sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and relieving symptoms slowig the aging processes.

Research Concerning the Efficiency of Aronia Melanocarpa for Pharmaceutical Purpos

The major impact of many types of disease on the human body have generated medical research orientation toward biotechnology identification and extraction of active principles from natural resources. The social problem to improve the health of the population, to maintain social balance of a healthy society oriented medical-pharmaceutical research for the use of other sources of pharmaceuticals from natural sources and not synthetic chemistry. On this line of work is also included the research wich orientates pharmaceutical medical studies by using new sources of bioactive compounds such as: anthocyanes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid, tannins, vitamin P,C, B2, B6 from the shrub Aronia Melanocarpa. Besides these compounds are also found in the fruits different cyanidin glycosides: 3-galactoside, 3-glucoside, 3-arabinoside and 3-xyloside. The rich content in bioactive forms makes possible the use in treating certain diseases by using internal use in household. For internal use are used by diabetics having hypoglycemic effect, astringent properties and very strong diuretics, they are cardiac tonic, regulates blood pressure and blood glucose, treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, it has a good hepatoprotective effect due to its high iodine content , are effective in hyperthyroidism and can be consumed by sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and relieving symptoms slowig the aging processes.

Antioxidant capacities and anthocyanin characteristics of the black–red wild berries obtained in Northeast China

Various edible berries widely accessible in nature in Northeast China are poorly exploited. The compositions and contents of anthocyanins in black (Padus maackii, Padus avium, Lonicera caerulea, and Ribes nigrum) and red (Ribes rubrum, Sambucus williamsii, Rubus idaeus, and Ribes procumbens) wild berries in Northeast China were firstly characterized by HPLC–DAD/ESI-MS2. Twenty-three anthocyanins were detected and identified. Cyanidin glycosides were dominant in both berries. Six anthocyanins were reported for the first time in P. avium, R. rubrum, and Sambucus. Total anthocyanin content (TAC) ranged from 10mg/100gfreshweight (FW) (R. procumbens) to 1058mg/100gFW (P. maackii) among berries. The TACs and antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays were much higher in black than in red berries. Black–red berries, especially P. maackii and P. avium, can be used in developing functional foods and in improving breeding programs.

Polyphenolic profiles and antioxidant and antiradical activity of Italian berries from Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium uliginosum L. subsp. gaultherioides (Bigelow) S.B. Young

Total soluble polyphenols (TSP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), radical scavenging activity (RSA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and a number of anthocyanins, phenolic acids, coumarins, flavanols, dihydrochalcones and flavonols were investigated in Tuscan bilberry (i.e. Vaccinium myrtillus) and “false bilberry” (i.e. Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides Bigelow). V. myrtillus berries showed much higher TSP, TMA, RSA and FRAP values than V. uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides fruits. Moreover, very different profiles of individual phenolics were observed in the two species, being V. myrtillus mainly characterised by delphinidin and cyanidin glycosides, together with chlorogenic acid, and V. uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides dominated by malvidin derivatives and flavonols. Strong differences between the two species regarded also metabolites investigated herein for the first time, such as scopoletin, which was approximately two magnitude orders higher in V. uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides than in V. myrtillus berries. Very different abundances were also highlighted for cryptochlorogenic acid and quercetin-3-rhamnoside that were about ten-fold higher in bilberry than in “false bilberry”. When the anthocyanin composition pattern of Tuscan “false bilberry” was compared to those elsewhere reported for V. uliginosum fruits harvested in different world areas, some important differences were observed.