European Cranberry Research Articles

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Viburnum opulus L. fruits extract

A green, rapid and cost effective method for the bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), using polyphenols present in European cranberry bush fruit extracts was developed. The obtained AgNPs were characterized by ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS), Fourier transform – infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). The average size of the spherical AgNPs was found to be 25nm. The anti-inflammatory effect of the biomaterials was investigated, both in vitro (on HaCaT cell line, exposed to UVB radiation) and in vivo (on acute inflammation model in Wistar rats). Our results support the conclusion that the photosynthesized silver nanoparticles present a potent anti-inflammatory activity and could be successfully used as therapeutic tools for treatment of inflammation.

Investigations of anthocyanins, organic acids, and sugars show great variability in nutritional value of European cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccos ) fruit

Increased consumer interest in nutraceutical-rich foods in relation to human health has resulted in the increased use of cranberries in the modern diet. Berries of wild European cranberry clones and cultivars show great variation in yield, colour and quantities of biologically active compounds. In the present study, we estimate the production of different phytochemical components in 40 genotypes of Vaccinium oxycoccos. Our main goal was to identify genotypes that have superior economic attributes, such as high levels of anthocyanins, organic acids and easily digestible carbohydrates. As a result, two wild clones of Lithuanian origin (98-C-17 and 98-C-15), and the Estonian cultivar ‘Maima’ were selected as the most valuable in terms of TAC, organic acid, fructose and glucose concentrations.

Продуктивность Oxycoccus macrocarpus Pers. на минеральных почвах

The paper presents the data of groundwater research of European cranberry productivity on mineral soils in the climatic conditions of the Udmurt Republic useful for industrial and private cultivation. Research aimed at developing technology of European cranberry cultivation on mineral soils, have scientific and practical perspective. Experience in direct rooting of European cranberry cuttings on mineral soils was conducted in 2010…2011 in the botanical garden of the Udmurt State University. As the planting material semilignified European cranberry cuttings were used harvested in the spring before the growing season in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections with Vaccinium Products

Cranberries exert a dose-dependent inhibition of the adherence of E. coli fimbriae to uroepithelial cells. This was demonstrated in vitro but also ex vivo in vitro with urine from cranberry consumers. The active principle has not been identified in detail but type-A proanthocyanidins (PAC) play an important role in the mechanism of action. Since the three species, American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), European cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) and/or lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), have different patterns of type-A PACs, results from one species cannot be transferred to the others. It seems likely that most of the studies with monopreparations from V. macrocarpon were underdosed. Whereas photometric PAC quantification may overestimate the true content on co-active compounds, reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatograpy may underestimate them. Recent studies with PAC doses in the upper range (DMAC method) or declared type-A PAC content in the daily dose reveal a dose-dependent trend of clinical effectiveness, however, with a possible ceiling effect. In order to clarify this, future three-arm studies should investigate Vaccinium preparations with higher type-A PAC doses than previously used. We analysed two popular European vitis-idaea products, a mother juice and a proprietary extract. Both preparations may be appropriate to confirm the Vaccinium urinary tract infection-preventive effect beyond doubt.

Morphological and genetic diversity of European cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L., Ericaceae) clones in Lithuanian reserves

The wild-harvested fruit of <em>Vaccinium oxycoccos</em> (European cranberry) is used medicinally in many European and North American countries; the plant, however, is seldom cultivated. In order to optimize the collection strategy and improve the horticulturally important characters of <em>V. oxycoccos</em> clones, comprehensive investigations of the species are necessary. In the present study we investigated the phenological, morphological and genetic diversity of 29 clones originating from two wild populations growing in two strictly protected Lithuanian reserves, Čepkeliai and Žuvintas. During an ex situ collection at Kaunas Botanical Garden, we observed great phenological variation between the collected <em>V. oxycoccos</em> clones. The following morphological traits most clearly distinguished our study clones: leaf size, berry shape, berry size and fruit colour at full maturity. The genetic variation of <em>V. oxycoccos</em> clones from the two populations was assessed using RAPD and SSR. RAPD analysis conducted with 9 primers resulted in 146 polymorphic loci for the total sample, and SSR analysis with 5 primers revealed 29 alleles for the total sample. A greater degree of polymorphism was demonstrated for the Čepkeliai population than for the Žuvintas population. The study allowed the selection of several clones having promising morphological traits for further testing in the field.

Comparing Procyanidins in Selected Vaccinium Species by UHPLC-MS2 with Regard to Authenticity and Health Effects

Cranberry procyanidins have been associated with an effect against urinary tract infections (UTI) for decades, and European health claims are requested. This study compares the procyanidin profiles and concentrations of American cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.), European cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccus L.), and lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatoraphy coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray interface (UHPLC-MS(2)). Concentrations of A-type trimers, procyanidin A2, catechin, epicatechin, and B-type dimers and trimers have been evaluated and compared for the first time in the three berries. The data clearly show remarkable differences in the procyanidin profiles and concentrations, especially the lack of A-type trimers in V. oxycoccus; thus, the effectiveness against UTI may vary among the Vaccinium species. These differences can be used to prove authenticity.

Ecosystems effects 25 years after Chernobyl: pollinators, fruit set and recruitment

Animals are assumed to play a key role in ecosystem functioning through their effects on seed set, seed consumption, seed dispersal, and maintenance of plant communities. However, there are no studies investigating the consequences of animal scarcity on seed set, seed consumption and seed dispersal at large geographical scales. We exploited the unprecedented scarcity of pollinating bumblebees and butterflies in the vicinity of Chernobyl, Ukraine, linked to the effects of radiation on pollinator abundance, to test for effects of pollinator abundance on the ecosystem. There were considerably fewer pollinating insects in areas with high levels of radiation. Fruit trees and bushes (apple Malus domestica, pear Pyrus communis, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, wild rose Rosa rugosa, twistingwood Viburnum lantana, and European cranberry bush Viburnum opulus) that are all pollinated by insects produced fewer fruit in highly radioactively contaminated areas, partly linked to the local reduction in abundance of pollinators. This was the case even when controlling for the fact that fruit trees were generally smaller in more contaminated areas. Fruit-eating birds like thrushes and warblers that are known seed dispersers were less numerous in areas with lower fruit abundance, even after controlling for the effects of radiation, providing a direct link between radiation, pollinator abundance, fruit abundance and abundance of frugivores. Given that the Chernobyl disaster happened 25years ago, one would predict reduced local recruitment of fruit trees if fruit set has been persistently depressed during that period; indeed, local recruitment was negatively related to the level of radiation and positively to the local level of fruit set. The patterns at the level of trees were replicated at the level of villages across the study site. This study provides the first large-scale study of the effects of a suppressed pollinator community on ecosystem functioning.

Fruit yield of european cranberry (Oxycoccus palustris Pers.) in different plant communities of peatlands (northern Wielkopolska, Poland)

The aim of this study was to determine fruit yield of <i>Oxycoccus palustris</i> under the climatic and habitat conditions of northern Wielkopolska (the Greater Poland region), depending on the type of occupied plant community. Total fruit number and fruit weight as well as average cranberry leaf size were determined on 33 plots with an area of 1 m<sup>2</sup>, located on 7 peatlands. On the study areas, European cranberry produced crops from 9.2 up to 242.0 g ���� m<sup>-2</sup>, which gives 92-2420 kg ����ha<sup>-1</sup>. It has been demonstrated that on the peatlands of northern Wielkopolska <i>O. palustris</i> reaches its generative and vegetative optimum in the communities of the class <i>Scheuchzerio- Caricetea fuscae</i>, in particular in the community <i>Sphagno recurvi-Eriophoretum angustifolii</i>.

Evaluation of the Biochemical Components and Chromatic Properties of the Juice of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and Vaccinium oxycoccos L.

Benzoic acid, total anthocyanins, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and colour properties in juice of the American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon and the European cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos were investigated. Berry juices of V. macrocarpon cultivars were distinguished by their higher total anthocyanin and benzoic acid amounts. These cultivars accumulated on average 43.11 mg/l of benzoic acid and 92.45 mg/l of total anthocyanins. The levels of benzoic acid and total anthocyanins in V. oxycoccos cultivars were 17.52 mg/l and 42.54 mg/l, respectively. The V. macrocarpon cultivars 'Franklin', 'Le Munyon', 'Searles', and 'Early Richard' were selected as the best according to the enhanced total anthocyanins and benzoic acid amounts. The separation of anthocyanins by HPLC-UV-VIS revealed the presence of six anthocyanins, with peonidin-3-galactoside being the most prevalent. Galactoside together with glucoside conjugates comprised the largest percentage of total anthocyanins in the juices of V. macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos cultivars.

Red fruit juice quality and authenticity control by HPLC

The present work used International Federation of Fruit-Juice Producers (IFU) Method No. 71 with minor modifications for the analysis of anthocyanins, betacyanins, synthetic red pigments, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids and catechins present in red fruit and vegetable juices and red-purple soft-drinks. The proposed HPLC method has been implemented with simultaneous UV–Visible and fluorescence detection and offers unambiguous composition results for 9 red fruit and vegetable juices: strawberry, red raspberry, blueberry, European cranberry, blackcurrant, sour cherry, red grape, purple carrot and purple prickly pear. Twenty-eight anthocyanins, 4 betacyanins, 1 natural and 6 synthetic pigments, 11 hydroxycinnamic acids, 6 hydroxybenzoic acids and 2 catechins were determined in a 30-min chromatogram. This method is useful for quality and authentication analyses of red fruit and vegetable juices, and red-purple soft-drinks. The use of a unique analysis method for polyphenol analysis is encouraged as a helpful tool to build up an unambiguous polyphenol composition database of foods.

Phenolics and anthocyanins in berries of European cranberry and their antimicrobial activity

European cranberry is a berry plant rich in biologically active substances, making it valued by both the phyto-pharmaceutical and food industries. The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in berries of European cranberry and to assess their antibacterial activity. Different wild clones of European cranberry were investigated according to berry weight and the amounts of total phenolics and anthocyanins. Anthocyanin profiles of extracts were evaluated by HPLC, whereas the antimicrobial properties were determined by the agar well diffusion method. A strong negative correlation between berry weight and the amount of anthocyanins was found. The amount of total phenolics among different cranberry clones in the field collection ranged from 224.0 mg/100 g to 498.0 mg/100 g, and the amount of total anthocyanins ranged from 40.7 mg/100 g to 207.3 mg/100 g. Quantitative HPLC-UV analysis revealed six anthocyanins in the berries of European cranberry, among which the anthocyanin peonidin-3-galactoside was most prevalent. Investigation of the antimicrobial properties showed that European cranberry extracts inhibited the growth of wide range of human pathogenic bacteria, both gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) and gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis).

Berry Fruits: Compositional Elements, Biochemical Activities, and the Impact of Their Intake on Human Health, Performance, and Disease

An overwhelming body of research has now firmly established that the dietary intake of berry fruits has a positive and profound impact on human health, performance, and disease. Berry fruits, which are commercially cultivated and commonly consumed in fresh and processed forms in North America, include blackberry ( Rubus spp.), black raspberry ( Rubus occidentalis), blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum), cranberry (i.e., the American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, distinct from the European cranberry, V. oxycoccus), red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus) and strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa). Other berry fruits, which are lesser known but consumed in the traditional diets of North American tribal communities, include chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana), highbush cranberry ( Viburnum trilobum), serviceberry ( Amelanchier alnifolia), and silver buffaloberry ( Shepherdia argentea). In addition, berry fruits such as arctic bramble ( Rubus articus), bilberries ( Vaccinuim myrtillus; also known as bog whortleberries), black currant ( Ribes nigrum), boysenberries ( Rubus spp.), cloudberries ( Rubus chamaemorus), crowberries ( Empetrum nigrum, E. hermaphroditum), elderberries ( Sambucus spp.), gooseberry ( Ribes uva-crispa), lingonberries ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea), loganberry ( Rubus loganobaccus), marionberries ( Rubus spp.), Rowan berries ( Sorbus spp.), and sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides), are also popularly consumed in other parts of the world. Recently, there has also been a surge in the consumption of exotic "berry-type" fruits such as the pomegranate ( Punica granatum), goji berries ( Lycium barbarum; also known as wolfberry), mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana), the Brazilian açaí berry ( Euterpe oleraceae), and the Chilean maqui berry ( Aristotelia chilensis). Given the wide consumption of berry fruits and their potential impact on human health and disease, conferences and symposia that target the latest scientific research (and, of equal importance, the dissemination of this information to the general public), on the chemistry and biological and physiological functions of these "superfoods" are necessary.

Rooting of Deciduous Woody Stem Cuttings in Peat- and Perlite-amended MSW Compost Media

Terminal stem cuttings of seven deciduous woody taxa [coralberry (Symphoricarpos × chenaultii Rehd. ‘Hancock’), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake), European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus L.), lilac (Syringa velutina Kom.), purple osier (Salix purpurea L. ‘Nana’), purple-leaf sandcherry (Prunus × cistena N.E. Hansen), and winged spindle-tree (Euonymus alata (Thunb.) Siebold. ‘Compacta’)] were rooted under outdoor lath (50% shade) and mist in rooting media consisting of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75% by volume of MSW compost mixed with sphagnum peat or perlite. Rooting performance, expressed in terms of percent rooting, mean root number per rooted cutting, and length of the longest root per cutting, was regressed on level of compost. When there were differences due to amendments, most taxa rooted better with perlite than with peat due largely to more favourable water (36-50%) and air (16-26%) porosities with perlite than with peat (water, 60-60%; air, 12-15%). Cranberry bush, an exception, rooted better in the peat-amended compost. Increasing level of peat-amended MSW compost resulted in a large curvilinear decrease (adverse effect) in percent rooting of winged spindle-tree. Contrastingly, increasing level of both peat-and perlite-amended MSW resulted in moderate to substantial linear or curvilinear increases (beneficial effect) in root number and/or root length of coralberry and snowberry cuttings. MSW level had little or no effect on the rooting responses of other taxa.

Iridoids of the bark ofViburnum sargenti

In a study of the chemical composition of the bark of Sargent cranberry bush Viburnum sargenti Koetme, together with other compounds we have detected chromatographically not less than nine substances of iridoid nature, which have been designated as compounds (1-9), the most important of them being (1), (6), and (7). To isolate the iridoid compounds, a weighed sample of the air-dry comminuted raw material was extracted with 80% ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. The alcoholic extract obtained was evaporated to small volume and was dissolved in boiling water, and the resulting solution was filtered through a paper filter. The filtrate was cooled and was treated in a separatory funnel with chloroform (5 × 300 ml). The chloroform fractions were combined and evaporated to the dry state. The chloroform fraction was deposited on a column of silica gel. The eluent consisted of mixtures of chloroform and acetone, with the concentration of the latter being gradually increased to 40%. Fractions with a volume of 100 ml were collected, their compositions being monitored by TLC in the chloroform--methanol (9:1) system. Chloroform containing 10% of acetone eluted substance (1), and chloroform with 30% of acetone substance (6), while increasing the acetone content to 40% led to the isolation of substance (7). All the substances isolated gave a blue-green coloration with the Stahl reagent [1] and a brown coloration in daylight and a yellow fluorescence in UV light with the Bacon-Edelman reagent [3]. Substance (1) -C33H48018, colorless acicular crystals with mp 111-113C, [t~]D20 --46* (c 1.0; methanol), 6, C29H42016, [Ct]D20 --65 ° (c 3.5, chloroform) and 7, C27H4oO15 [Ct]D20 --55* (c 2.0, methanol). On being boiled in the water bath with a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid in methanol for 1 h, substances (1), (6), and (7) were converted into 7-formyl-4-methylcyelopenta[c]pyran, with mp 90-93C (C10HsO2), which showed the presence of carbon-containing substituents in positions 4 and 7 of the iridoid nucleus. When a 5% ammonia solution was added to methanolic solutions of substances (1), (6), and (7), greenish-blue precipitates deposited. Alkaline hydrolysis indicated the substitution of the acetal hydroxyl at C1 of the iridoid nucleus by an acyl residue. After enzymatic hydrolysis a sugar was found in the hydrolysate, which was identified by PC in various solvent systems as D-allose, and also isovaleric and acetic acids. The acetylation of substances (6) and (7) led to compound (1), C33H46018, mp 111-113C, [et]2D 0 --46 (C 1.0, methanol). This showed that substances (6) and (7) differed from one another by their degree of aeetylation and compound (1) was the complete acetate. The results obtained enabled substances (6) and (7) to be identified as opulus iridoids 1 and 2, and substance (1) as an acetylated opulus iridoid. All these substances have been isolated previously from the bark of European cranberry bush viburnum (V. opulus) [2].

On Cultivating European Cranberry in Estonia

Cranberry cultivation, formally used as method of stabilizing overutilized peat bogs, is developing into a viable commercial enterprise. Estonian researchers are investigating methods of propagation, planting, and fertilizing suitable for this crop.

Fatty acid compositions of the lipids of some medicinal plants

We have investigated the physicochemical properties and fatty acid compositions of the lipids of medicinal plants [1-6] growing in the Tyumen' province: the herbage of Artemisia abeinthi~ L. (common wormwood), the leaves of Tussilago farfara L. (common coltsfoot), family Compositae collected in the flowering period, and the seeds of Yib~n~ opulus L. (European cranberry viburnum), family Caprofoliaceae, collected in the fruit-bearing period.

Low Pressure and Refrigerated Storage of Rooted and Unrooted Ornamental Cuttings1

Abstract Rooted and unrooted cuttings of geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum, Bailey cv. Irene), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima, Wild cv. Annette Hegg Dark Red), tallhedge buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula L. cv. Columnaris), Regel's privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zuce. cv. Regelianum), and compact European cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum opulus L. compactum), were stored up to 9 weeks using low pressure (LP) and refrigerated (RF) storage systems at 1.1 to 2.2°C with 95% relative humidity except for the poinsettia and geranium cuttings which were stored at 5±.5°C. Low pressure storage extended the storage life of rooted geranium and poinsettia cuttings 2 weeks beyond that achieved with RF storage. Unrooted geranium and poinsettia cuttings had 2 week and 4 day longer storage periods, with LP than RF storage, respectively. Unrooted compact European cranberry bush viburnum, Regel's privet, and tallhedge buckthorn cuttings stored 6 weeks using LP storage were superior to RF storage. Regardless of treatment, quality of all stored plant materials decreased with increased time in storage.