Elderberry Fruit Research Articles

Influences of Processing Methods on Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) Wine Quality

ABSTRACT Elderberry fruit is available in the market and is becoming more popular. However, winemaking techniques are under-studied with this fruit. This study aimed to determine the impact of three processing methods on elderberry wine quality. The methods were: No extended maceration followed by hot water treatment (EC0); 2 days of cold soak maceration followed by hot water (EC2) and boiled elderberry (EB) fruits before alcoholic fermentation. The results indicated that although the treatments did not cause significant differences in ethanol, glycerol, total acidity, volatile acidity and tannins, wine pHs were influenced by the treatments. Besides influencing the pH, EB treatment produced darker elderberry wine, whereas, EC2 wine had the lightest color. Treatments also influenced the final wine monophenol profiles and antioxidant capabilities. EB wine had the highest total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activities. EC2 wine had a significantly higher amount of total hydroxycinnamates compared to EC0 but was not different from EB-treated wine. The wine antioxidant capacities were significantly lower than in musts but were not different between treatments. Cold maceration in EC2 did not help the extraction of antioxidants in elderberry wine. The results indicated that heating through boiling might help disrupt fruit cells and assist in the extraction of anthocyanins. Cold soak enhanced certain compounds in elderberry wines. This research provided information for elderberry fruit wine fermentation with general processing methods.

Are the Effects of Bioactive Components on Human Health a Myth?: Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) from Exotic Fruits.

Black elderberry has come to the fore in recent years due to its health benefits. Black elderberry fruit (Sambucus nigra L.), collected from natural sources, has a rich content of protein, vitamins, antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals as it contains conjugated and free forms of amino acids. Black elderberry can prevent oxidative stress and reduce blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases thanks to the polyphenols it contains. It can prevent diseases, stimulate the immune system, show an antitumor effect, and be effective in the course of disease processes by rising the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione. Since black elderberry is a promising food in terms of bioactive components, it is considered as promising to treat and prevent many diseases. However, it is not correct to prove its beneficial effects on the prevention of chronic diseases and to make generalisations. Therefore, there is a need of more comprehensive evidence-based clinical studies and data. This review examined current evidence and discussions about the health-related effects of black elderberry, which contains many biologically active components such as polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins, as well as terpenes and lectins, and offered some suggestions on its use in the future.

Halochromic Bacterial Cellulose/Anthocyanins Hybrid Polymer Film with Wound-Healing Potential.

Polymer-based dressings deriving from natural biomaterials have advantages such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and mechanical stability, which are essential for efficient wound healing and microbial infection diagnostics. Here, we designed a prototype of an intelligent hydrogel dressing on the base of bacterial cellulose (BC) for monitoring wound microbial infection due to the uploaded natural pH dye-sensor, anthocyanins (ANC) of elderberry fruit (Sambucus nigra L.). The highest sensor responses to bacterial metabolites for ANC immobilized to BC were observed at pH 5.0 and 6.0. The detection limit of the sensor signals was 3.45 A.U., as it was evaluated with a smartphone-installed application. The FTIR spectral analysis of the hybrid BC/ANC hydrogel films has proved the presence of anthocyanins within the BC matrix. Hybrid films differed from the control ones by thicker microfibrils and larger pores, as detected with scanning electron microscopy. Halochromic BC/ANC films exhibited antimicrobial activities mainly against gram-positive bacteria and yeast. They showed no cytotoxicity for the in vitro human cell lines and mouse fibroblasts within a selected range of anthocyanin concentrations released from the BC/ANC film/dressing prototype. Compared to the control, the in vitro healing test showed overgrowth of primary mouse fibroblasts after applying 0.024-2.4 µg/mL ANC.

COMPARATIVE ANTI-TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF SAMBUCUS NIGRA L. FLOWERS AND FRUITS EXTRACTS

Background: Sambucus nigra or also known as Black elderberry or European elderberry is been used for the teatment and prevention of various diseases. The plant posseses health beneficial effects such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antiviral and antiinflammatory. However, there is limited report on the antitrichomoniasis activity of S. nigra. Objectives: The study aimed to comparatively analyze the in vitro trichomonicidal effects of various extracts prepared from both fruits and flowers of S. nigra. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and minimum parasiticide (MPC) values of the extracts against metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis 50143 strain were determined by the liquid microdilution method using 96-well microplates. Results: After 48 hrs incubation with parasites, the highest activities were observed for 70% hydroethanolic extract, chloroform extract and methanol extract of fruits with IC50 values of 513, 531 and 566 µg/ml, respectively. Fruit extracts exhibited higher activity than flower extracts, and no activity was observed in methanol extract of flowers. Conclusion: This study is the first comparative analysis of the anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of elderberry extracts. This study will serve as a reference source in isolating the components of elderberry fruits with antiparasitic activity. Peer Review History: Received 23 March 2024; Revised 6 May 2024; Accepted 27Metronidazole June; Available online 15 July 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amanyalboghdadly@gmail.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. Sangeetha Arullappan, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, sangeetha@utar.edu.my Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF COSMETIC CREAMS WITH EXTRACTS OF DRY FLOWERS AND FRUITS OF SAMBUCUS NIGRA L. - USE OF SAMBUCUS NIGRA L. AS A NON-TRADITIONAL CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVE

Natural ingredients rich in antioxidants and polyphenols in the forme of extracts, essential oils, organic acids have been used in the production of different cosmetic products. In the development of new cosmetic compositions, or the improvement of products already implemented in production, the evaluation of the user is of great importance, as it directly affects the demand for a given product. The present study aimed to produce phytocosmetic creams based on stearic acid with extracts of dry flower and fruit juice of Sambucus nigra L. (S. nigra) and to investigatein parallel their potential as substitutes for conventional preservatives. The obtained creams were determined for minimum inhibitory, and minimum bactericidal activity using three bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633). In addition, the antibacterial effect of creams against Escherichia coli (BW 28357) was determined. In our experiments we found that addition of dried flower extracts or elderberry fruit extracts from S. nigra in the emulsion does not disturb the compositional system. In conclusion, according to the results, the Sambucus nigra L. extracts from dry flowers and elderberry fruitsare appropriate for use in cosmetic emulsions that demonstated antioxidant stability and antibacterial properties.

Content of selected polyphenolic compounds in four Sambucus nigra l. cultivars in relation to their antimicrobial activity

European elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) fruits constitute a valuable source of biologically active compounds useful in the pharmaceutical industry. We aimed to determine the content of chosen polyphenolic compounds in fruit extracts from four cultivars of elderberry (Alleso, Korsor, Sampo, Samyl) and their relation to antibacterial and antifungal activity. The content of polyphenols was determined with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while antimicrobial activity, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal (MBC) or fungicidal (MFC) concentration, was studied with the use of microbroth dilution method. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of concentrations of cyanidin glycosides, caffeic and quercetin derivatives depending on the plant cultivar. The extracts exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp. (MIC = 0.313 – 0.625 mg/mL) and Helicobacter pylori (MIC = 0.313 – 1.25 mg/mL) and antifungal against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis (MIC = 0.313 – 2.5 mg/mL). Results showed that the concentration of cyanidin glycosides, caffeic and quercetin derivatives depended on the analyzed S. nigra L. cultivar and pointed towards a correlation between their high content and antimicrobial activity. These results support the idea that elderberry fruits contain bioactive compounds providing them significant antimicrobial potential.

Sambucus Nigra: black fruits that makes sperms come out ahead in in vitro fertilization

Freezing is a non-physiological method that includes a series of processes such as dilution, incubation, cooling, freezing and thawing, which affect the structure, biochemistry and function of sperm. Human sperm freezing has overcome many spatial and temporal limitations and is now an integral part of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Freezing causes biochemical, functional and structural changes in sperm. These changes include plasma and sperm acrosome membranes, which increase their permeability and leads to disruption of morphology, motility and chromatin structure. Therefore, freezing causes irreversible damage to sperm, which leads to the loss of movement and biological function of most sperm. Sperm health is one of the important factors in the fertility of couples. Therefore, reducing the harmful effects caused by freezing and properly performing the in vitro Fertilization (IVF) process, the development of useful solutions is inevitable. The extract from black fruits of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has potent in vitro effect on the sperm motility, vitality and oxidative profile. This extract can largely improve the sperms parameters and stereological parameters (spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte, round spermatid, and Leydig cells), decrease of TNF-a and caspase-3 expression, increase of the serum testosterone, increase of mitochondrial activity, and reduction of reactive oxygen species. So, it can also be used as in vivo status. We suggested that black fruits of Sambucus nigra makes sperms come out ahead in IVF techniques.

Apple cider vinegar vs. ethanol as an extraction solvent in the ultrasound-assisted extraction of elderberry fruits

<p>Traditional plant extraction methods commonly employ hazardous solvents that threaten human health. Considering these, the study sought to explore the efficacy of seven distinct types of apple cider vinegar (ACV) as an alternative solvent for isolating of polyphenols from dry elderberries as a raw material. In the pursuit of identifying the most suitable solvent, a conventional solid-liquid extraction (SLE) was executed, with a comparative assessment involving three different ethanol solvents (30%, 50%, and 70% ethanol solution, w/w). Subsequently, once the optimal solvent was determined, an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was carried out. The optimization process encompassed a range of sonication amplitudes (20-100%) and extraction durations spanning from 120 to 360 s. The extracts' characterization, including extraction yield (EY) and total phenolic content (TPC), was performed to ascertain the most favorable extraction parameters. The utilization of ACV in conjunction with a sonication amplitude of 100% and an extraction duration of 360 s yielded the highest TPC, amounting to 84.44 mg GAE/g dry extract (DE). In contrast, the lowest ethanol concentration (30%) produced the highest TPC, reaching 101.70 mg GAE/g DE when a sonication amplitude of 100% and an extraction time of 120 s were applied.</p>

THE APPLICATION OF NON-BAKERY RAW MATERIALS TO BAKERY FLOURS, THEIR EFFECT ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITY AND THE COST OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

The paper describes the possibilities of designing breads and pastries produced according to a basic recipe from wheat or wheat-rye flour to improve their nutritional potential. The basic principle is the partial replacement of wheat or rye with non-bakery raw materials, which are valued thanks to the content of beneficial components. In this way, it is possible to create diverse products with the potential for positive effects on consumer health. However, the application of such raw materials affects the technological parameters of composite flours and subsequent intermediates of the production process, and it also changes cost items and, consequently, the production price of the products. Therefore, efforts should be made to find the right balance and recommend procedures and recipes that allow the final product to be prepared with the required quality and an affordable price. In our research, the additions of various non-bakery ingredients were verified, and the presented results show how these ingredients affected the selected rheological properties of the dough, and how these changes in the basic recipe affected the costs of the final product. During the experiments, the following raw materials were added: spelt wheat flour, amaranth flour, flour from selected legumes (common bean, broad bean, chickpea, lentil) and lyophilised homogenized red fruits (elderberry fruits, blackcurrant fruits, black chokeberry, and serviceberry fruits, or in the case of elderberry also flowers). The addition of these non-bakery ingredients, depending on the amount of their addition, changed both the water absorption and the rheological properties of the dough (dough development time, dough stability), or baking loss or bread yield. Non-bakery raw materials increase the financial cost of innovative products, and the question arises as to how willing consumers are to pay extra for such foods with added nutritional value. Nevertheless, we believe that designing and producing modern foods with nutritional benefits to meet the demanding needs of modern consumers has a promising future.

The Effect of Sample Pretreatment on the Anthocyanin Content in Czech Wild Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.).

This work focusses on the analysis of anthocyanins present in wild Czech elderberries, using spectrophotometric methods and liquid chromatography. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and total anthocyanin content. Further, four major elderberry anthocyanins were determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with isocratic elution of 30% aqueous methanol with 5% of formic acid. All optimised methods were applied to the analysis of extracts prepared from frozen and dried elderberry fruit samples, and the results were evaluated using principal component analysis which clearly divided the samples into individual groups according to the sample pretreatment (frozen and dried samples). The frozen samples reached higher values of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic and anthocyanin contents compared to the dried samples, probably due to the degradation of anthocyanins during the drying process.

Determination of quality indicators of sugar fortified with a by-product of elderberry processing

Granulated and pressed beet sugar consists of 99.61–99.7 % sucrose, which is a source of energy for the body. However, this product does not contain other vital nutrients. The object of the study is the method of non-waste processing of elderberry fruits. Wild-growing fruits of black elder Sambucus nigra L were used as the subject of the study. Pre-cleaned elder fruits were frozen at a temperature of –18±2 °C, and after defrosting they were subjected to osmotic dehydration. For this, a 70 % sugar solution with a temperature of 50±5 °C was used (hydromodule 1). The duration of osmosis was 1 hour. The derivative product formed as a result of osmotic dehydration of elderberries (elderberry syrup) was used to enrich granulated sugar in an amount of 10 % by weight of sugar. After thorough mixing with the solution, the sugar was dried in a laboratory vacuum dryer. Anthocyanin dyes contained in the elderberries gave the sugar a bright pink color. The resulting product had a characteristic smell and taste of elderberry. The composition of sugar was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that sugar enriched with an elderberry derivative contains 0.03±0.02 mg/100 g of vitamin C and 0.28±0.02 % flavonoids. This gives it certain antioxidant properties. In addition to sucrose, glucose (0.20±0.02) and fructose (0.27±0.02) were found in the product by the polarimetric method. Analysis of the amino acid spectrum of enriched sugar showed the presence of 18 amino acids (total amount of 5.547 mg/100 g), including all essential ones. The most found in enriched sugar, mg/100g: tyrosine (0.93), alanine (0.79), phenylalanine (0.752) and leucine (0.749). The results obtained indicate an increase in the biological value and additional functional properties of fortified sugar

Co-Microencapsulation of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) Oil with Natural Antioxidants Extracts.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) oil was co-microencapsulated with natural antioxidant extracts (NAE), such as camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (HBK) Mc Vaugh) fruit, Añil variety Andean potato (Solanum tuberosum andigenum, and elderberry fruit (Sambucus peruviana). Gum Arabic and the ternary combination of gum Arabic (GA) + maltodextrin (MD) + whey protein isolate (WPI) at different formulations were used as coating materials for the encapsulation process using spray-drying. The moisture content, particle size distribution and morphology, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, fatty acid and sterol composition, oxidative stability, and shelf-life were evaluated. Co-microcapsules of sacha inchi (P. huayllabambana) oil with camu camu skin extract (CCSE) at 200 ppm encapsulated with GA + MD + WPI had the highest total polyphenol content (4239.80 µg GAE/g powder), antioxidant activity (12,454.00 µg trolox/g powder), omega-3 content (56.03%), β-sitosterol (62.5%), greater oxidative stability (Oxidation Onset temperature of 189 °C), higher shelf-life (3116 h), and smaller particle sizes (6.42 μm). This research enhances the knowledge to obtain microcapsules containing sacha inchi (P. huayllabambana) oil with natural antioxidant extracts that could be used for the development of functional foods. Further research is needed to study the potential interactions and their influence between the bioactive components of the microcapsules and the challenges that may occur during scale-up to industrial production.

Elderberry Extracts: Characterization of the Polyphenolic Chemical Composition, Quality Consistency, Safety, Adulteration, and Attenuation of Oxidative Stress- and Inflammation-Induced Health Disorders.

Elderberry is highly reputed for its health-improving effects. Multiple pieces of evidence indicate that the consumption of berries is linked to enhancing human health and preventing or delaying the onset of chronic medical conditions. Compared with other fruit, elderberry is a very rich source of anthocyanins (approximately 80% of the polyphenol content). These polyphenols are the principals that essentially contribute to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and the health benefits of elderberry fruit extract. These health effects include attenuation of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders, as well as anti-diabetic, anticancer, antiviral, and immuno-stimulatory effects. Sales of elderberry supplements skyrocketed to $320 million over the year 2020, according to an American Botanical Council (ABC) report, which is attributable to the purported immune-enhancing effects of elderberry. In the current review, the chemical composition of the polyphenolic content of the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), as well as the analytical techniques employed to analyze, characterize, and ascertain the chemical consistency will be addressed. Further, the factors that influence the consistency of the polyphenolic chemical composition, and hence, the consistency of the health benefits of elderberry extracts will be presented. Additionally, adulteration and safety as factors contributing to consistency will be covered. The role of elderberry in enhancing human health alone with the pharmacological basis, the cellular pathways, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits of elderberry fruit extracts will be also reviewed.

European Black Elderberry Fruit Extract Inhibits Replication of SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still affecting the lives of people round the globe and remains a major public health threat. The emergence of new variants more efficiently transmitted, more virulent and more capable of escaping naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immunity creates a long-term negative outlook for the management of the pandemic. The development of effective and viable prevention and treatment options to reduce viral transmission is of the utmost importance. The fruits of the European black elderberry and extracts thereof have been traditionally used to treat viral infections such as coughs, cold and flu. Specifically, its efficacy against the Influenza A virus has been shown in vitro as well as in human clinical trials. In the current project, we investigated the antiviral activity of a black elderberry extract, mainly containing anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern and explored the possible mode of action by performing time of addition experiments. The results revealed that the extract displayed a strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity against the Wuhan type as well as the variants of concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron with a comparable antiviral activity. Based on cytotoxicity data, a 2-log theoretical therapeutic window was established. The data accumulated so far suggest that the viral replication cycle is inhibited at later stages, inasmuch as the replication process was affected after virus entry. Therefore, it would be legitimate to assume that black elderberry extract might have the potential to be an effective treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

The influence of different fertilizer schemes on ‘Haschberg’ European elderberry growth and fruit production

The influence of different fertilizer schemes on ‘Haschberg’ European elderberry growth and fruit production

Nutritional, Antioxidant, Sensory, Energetic, and Electrical Properties of Enriched Pasta

The aim of the presented study was to determine the nutritional properties (dry matter, total protein, ash, and selected amino acid content), antioxidant properties (antioxidant activity; total polyphenol, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content; total carotenoid, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin), and sensory profile (general appearance, flavor, taste, aftertaste, overall acceptability) of pasta enriched with powdered nettle leaves, elderberry fruit, and carrot in additions of 3%. A control variant without the addition of plant material was prepared for comparison of the results. Two of our samples of pasta (with nettle and carrot) had lower calorific values by approximately 17%. However, the energy value of the pasta was not significantly affected by added substances. Electrical properties (resistance, impedance) were also measured, and resistivity was calculated. We found that impedance and resistivity were influenced by added components in pasta. In the frequency range from 20 kHz to 100 kHz, we were able to use the measured dependencies of the mentioned electrical properties to identify the type of addition to the pasta. Correlations exist between the electrical properties and nutritional properties of enriched pasta samples, and could be used to indetify value-added pasta in processing chain digitalization.

Could elderberry fruits processed by modern and conventional drying and extraction technology be considered a valuable source of health-promoting compounds?

The influence of drying and extraction processes on the phytochemical composition and biopotential of elderberry is challenging for the food industry. For this reason in this research two drying techniques (lyophilization and natural convection) and three extraction techniques (ultrasound (UAE), microwave (MAE), and conventional (maceration (MAC)) was applied using two”green” solvents (water and 50 % ethanol). Results of the research showed that lyophilization was a better way of drying than natural convection, while MAE extraction was the most efficient technique for the isolation of secondary metabolites. The most abundant phenolic compounds established by LC-MS/MS analysis, were chlorogenic acid and rutin, identified in extracts of lyophilized elderberries. Elderberry extracts achieved great antioxidant (CUPRAC: 2.30–5.13 mg TE/mL) and enzyme inhibitor potential (α-amylase: 0.51–8.34 mg ACAE/mL). The results suggest that elderberry is a rich natural source of bioactive compounds and could be used for the future development of dietary supplements and functional foods.

Extraction, isolation, structural characterization, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from elderberry fruit.

The isolation, purification, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides extracted from elderberry fruits were studied. Two neutral polysaccharides (EFP-0 and EFP-1) and three acidic polysaccharides (EFP-2, EFP-3, and EFP-4) were isolated from elderberry. EFP-0, EFP-1, EFP-2, EFP-3, and EFP-4 all contain arabinose, galactose, glucose, and mannose, with molecular weights of 1.7981 × 106, 7.0523 × 106, 7.7638 × 106, 4.3855 × 105, and 7.3173 × 105 Da, respectively. Structural characterization showed that the backbone of EFP-2 consisted of →4)-Manp (1→4)-β-D-Glcp (1→ and →4)-β-D-Glcp (1→5)-α-L-Araf (1→units, and T-α-L-Araf (1→ and T-β-D-Galp (1→ residues were detected by methylation analysis and NMR analysis. In addition, the MTT assay and zebrafish oxidative damage assay showed that EFP-2 had a protective effect on H2O2-damaged RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and zebrafish with the addition of EFP-2 would have low levels of ROS in vivo which showed significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, the results showed that the elderberry polysaccharides have antioxidant activity and can be used as potential antioxidants in functional foods.

Macroecological patterns of fruit infestation rates by the invasive fly Drosophila suzukii in the wild reservoir host plant Sambucus nigra

Abstract The invasive pest Drosophila suzukii is a fruit fly native to Asia that infests a wide variety of fruits. Wild plant species are major reservoirs for D. suzukii populations but their infestation rates vary greatly among geographical areas. We aimed at disentangling the relative roles of macroclimatic, landscape and local factors in the rate of D. suzukii infestation of elderberry fruits (Sambucus nigra), a major wild host plant in Europe. We collected elderberry fruits across 215 sites distributed in 13 regions from North to South of France. We counted the number of emerging D. suzukii adults and tested for the effect of macroclimatic, landscape, local biotic and abiotic variables, as well as plant traits using linear mixed models. Site latitude and mean daily maximum temperature since the beginning of the year had respectively the strongest positive and negative effects on mean infestation rates across regions. Infestation rates also increased with forest cover in a 100 m radius around sampling sites. This study shows the importance of taking into account multiple scales and factors, from the fruit characteristics (i.e. maturity) to landscape composition and macroclimatic variables, when studying the interaction between D. suzukii and its host plants.

Comparative Evaluation of the Content of Antioxidant Polyphenolic Compounds in Selected Bulgarian Medicinal Plants

Abstract Polyphenols are strong antioxidants of plant origin that exhibit protective role against the development of several chronic degenerative diseases. Quantitative data on the content of polyphenolic antioxidants in Bulgarian medicinal plants are sporadic and unsystematic. The aim of the study is to determine polyphenols content in series of extracts, infusions and decocts of selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits and to compare their polyphenolic profile. Materials and Methods: In the present study 18 Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits have been analyzed for Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, along with HPLC analysis for their level of the individual flavonoids (+)-Catechin, (-)-Epicatechin and Rutin. Comparative evaluation of the content of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds was performed by hierarchical cluster analysis. The results show that infusions of Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna) flowers have the highest values of Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, forming a separate Cluster in the analysis of the Agglomeration schedule coefficients. Within fruits, data for Total Phenolics and Total Flavonoids content are more homogenic as the cluster analysis shows distribution of 6 elements in a high mean value group. Elderberry (Sambicus nigra) flowers and fruits are the richest source of Rutin in the selected plants studied. Conclusion: In the present study new data for polyphenolic content in selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits are presented and their degree of similarity in methanolic extracts, infusions and decocts have been assessed in order to provide new data for development of effective antioxidant medicinal plant compositions.