Blackcurrant Fruits Research Articles

Microwave-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of phenolic compounds from Ribes nigrum L. and its antibacterial effect on foodborne pathogens

Microwave-assisted ammonium sulfate/ethanol aqueous two-phase system was used to extract the phenolic compounds from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruits. After purification with AB-8 macroporous resin, the phenolics (RMAP) was obtained with a purity of 80.50 ± 0.26%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and inhibition zone tests showed that RMAP exhibited more potent antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus than against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed RMAP was mainly composed of four phenolic compounds including kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and hyperoside. MIC and time-kill curve assays indicated that C3G displayed the highest inhibitory activity on S. aureus among four compounds. Moreover, crystal violet and MTT assays showed that C3G exhibited obviously inhibitory effect on fresh biofilm formation of S. aureus. Transmission electron microscopy observation, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, protein and DNA leakage assays verified that C3G damaged cell wall and membrane of S. aureus. On the other hand, UV absorption spectroscopy and DNA cleavage assay revealed that C3G was able to interact with DNA in the form of chimera, but had no direct effect on DNA cleavage. Whereas, DNA topoisomerase IV (DNA Topo IV) inhibition assay and molecular docking model manifested that C3G could combine with DNA Topo IV to affect its activity and further restrained the synthesis of DNA. These results indicated that the antibacterial mechanism of C3G against S. aureus was mainly related to its inhibiting biofilm formation, disrupting cell structure and resisting DNA Topo IV activity.

Qualitative Characteristics Research of New Fruit Sauces

The article presents the study results of the thickeners influence on the quality (organoleptic) characteristics of sauces made from locally grown raw material such as black currant berries and plum fruits. The researchers used standard methods of testing and data processing and developed the following recipe composition of fruit sauces based on preliminary tests: flavoring ingredients like berries / black currant fruits / plums of local origin, sugar, citric acid and ground red pepper; refined deodorized sunflower oil of the highest grade for the better polyphenol compounds extraction; xanthan and gellan gum (E415 and E418) as thickeners; and food (bamboo and citrus) fibers. To produce fruit sauces with the best quality characteristics, authors recommended to use fruit raw materials in the puree form obtained by the classical method. All materials met the requirements of the current regulatory documentation. The technology of fruit sauces includes the following stages: preparatory – part-time processing of raw materials; the main – mixing fruit puree with other recipe components, bringing the mass to a boil and boiling to a dry matter content of at least 21.0 %; the final – packaging / decorating; brokerage; storage. Xanthan gum of 0.5 and 0.7 % is the best thickener for sauces made from black currant berries and locally grown plum fruits. It is not practical to use gellan gum, bamboo and citrus fibers in the development of new products, because they do not let to get sauces with the desired texture characteristics. The researchers determined organoleptic, physical and chemical quality indicators of new fruit sauces using xanthan gum as a thickener. Sauces made from black currant berries and plum fruits are to update the range of local producers of fruit and vegetable products.

Microwave-assisted extraction of an acidic polysaccharide from Ribes nigrum L.: Structural characteristics and biological activities

Microwave-assisted extraction of the polysaccharide from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruits (MBP) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The yield of MBP was 10.59 % (w/w) under the optimal conditions of power (414 W), liquid to material ratio (31/1 mL/g), and the time (41 min). After purification using D4006 macroporous resin and Sepharose-6B column chromatography, a water-soluble acidic heteropolysaccharide (PMBP) was obtained with a molecular weight of 1.99 × 106 g/mol. PMBP was thermally stable and exhibited excellent rheological properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis confirmed the presence of α-, β-pyranose and six main glycosidic linkages in PMBP. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated that PMBP was amorphous aggregates with irregular shape, porous, and smooth surface. Bioactivity assays revealed the notable antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of PMBP. Moreover, PMBP was kinetically characterized as a competitive inhibitor for α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

Preparation, characterization, antioxidant and antiglycation activities of selenized polysaccharides from blackcurrant.

An ultrasound-assisted enzymatic method was used to extract the polysaccharides from blackcurrant fruits (BP), and then a nitric acid-sodium selenite method was employed to prepare twelve kinds of selenized blackcurrant polysaccharides (SBPs). Among them, SBP-1, SBP-2 and SBP-3 with different selenium contents of 250 ± 11, 312 ± 15 and 643 ± 24 μg g−1, displayed relatively higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH˙) scavenging activities than the others. After treating with a Sepharose-6B chromatography column, the purified blackcurrant polysaccharide (PBP) and three selenized polysaccharides (PSBP-1, PSBP-2, PSBP-3) with high purity were obtained. Compared with PBP, PSBPs possessed a larger absolute value of zeta potential (ZP) and smaller particle size, indicating the positive influence of selenized modification on physical stability of polysaccharides. Ultraviolet (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra confirmed that selenium had been introduced onto the polysaccharide structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and I2–KI reaction results indicated that selenized modification did not cause an obvious change in crystal form and branch structure of blackcurrant polysaccharides. In addition, PSBPs were superior to PBP in antioxidant and antiglycation capacities, and the bioactivities of PSBPs were significantly improved in positive correlation with selenium content. This study suggested that PSBPs may be a potential selenium source and serve as functional food and medicine.

Уміст біологічно активних речовин у плодах традиційних і малопоширених у культурі плодових порід

The purpose. To determine and examine the content of biologically active agents (BAA) (ascorbic acid, poly-phenolums) in fruits of seeded plants, stone fruit crops, berrylike and rare in crop fruit grades. To select those of them, which contain genetically great amount of vitamin C and polyphenolic matters. Methods. Laboratory, comparative, generalizing. Analytical researches executed within the last 2 decades in laboratory of technique of storage and processing of fruits and baccas. Objects of researches were 24 fruit, berrylike and rare in crop fruit grades. Results. By the lead researches it is established that the content of ascorbic acid was the least at fruits of seeded plants and stone crops (7 and 6 mg/100 g accordingly), and the highest — at berrylike crops (55,8 mg/100), maximum quantity of poly-phenolums contain baccas of rare grades (489 mg/100). Among berrylike crops great amount of vitamin C in conditions of Ukraine is accumulated with fruits of black currant — 87–243 mg/100. More than 200 mg/100 g of that vitamin in separate years accumulate baccas of grades Vladimirskaya, Chereshnevaya, Yubileynaya Kopania, Amethyst and Sofiyevskaya. More than 1000 mg/100 g of polyphenolic matters were contained with fruits of grades of honeysuckle Bogdana, Fialka and Pavlovskaya. Amount of anthocyans in the given spectrum of poly-phenolums of baccas of honeysuckle makes 120–200, chalcones — 25–85 mg/100 g. Conclusions. It is established that significant source of ascorbic acid can be fruits of sea buckthorn under condition of growing grades which baccas differ genetically timbered great amount of the given vitamin, and also baccas of black currant, wild strawberry and red currant. Greater r-activity (more than 1000 mg/100 g) have fruits of viburnum, honeysuckle and persimmon. In particular, baccas of honeysuckle and viburnum have high minimum of their content — 504 and 600 mg/100 g accordingly, coefficient of variation of amount of poly-phenolums in both crops — 30%.

Preparation, characteristics, and antioxidant activities of carboxymethylated polysaccharides from blackcurrant fruits

In the present study, the native polysaccharide (RNP) extracted from blackcurrant fruits was carboxymethylated. Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities in vitro of RNP and three carboxymethylated polysaccharides (CRNPs) were determined. GC analysis proved that RNP and CRNPs were composed of the same six monosaccharides (galacturonic acid, rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose and galactose), but the molar ratios of monosaccharides were different. HPLC demonstrated that the molecular weights of CRNPs were improved. The assays of the antioxidant properties indicated that CRNPs possessed stronger scavenging activities on radicals (hydroxyl and superoxide radicals) and better anti-lipid peroxidation activities, as well as better protection effects on erythrocyte hemolyses in vitro compared with RNP. The activities of CRNPs were significantly enhanced with the increase of the degree of substitution (DS). These results proved that the carboxymethylation could effectively increase the antioxidant activities of the polysaccharide.

ХРАНЕНИЕ ПЛОДОВ СМОРОДИНЫ ЧЕРНОЙ В РЕГУЛИРУЕМОЙ АТМОСФЕРЕ

The research was conducted in 2017-2018 in I.V. Michurin Federal Research Centre (Tambov region, Russia) with our own breeding black current varieties ‘Tamerlan’ and ‘Shalunya’. In the Central-Chernozem region of Russia there are zoned 29 varieties. However they do not fully meet the requirements of consumers (because of quality problems and short terms of fresh sales). The study goal is to develop an innovative technology for extending storage time of fresh fruits of modern commercial black currant varieties. Fruits of black currant were harvested in experimental plot planted in 2012, planting scheme 4,0x0,75 m. Black currant fruits were stored at 0…+1° in regular (RA), modified (MA) and controlled (CA) atmosphere. There were determined the losses from gray rot (Botritis cineria), sensory (color, taste, consistence) and biochemical and other characteristics of fruit quality (vitamin C, dry soluble substances, titric acid content, total content of phenolic compounds, berry firmness, weight loss). Storage factors and their combinations inhibit the ripening and development of gray rot of black currant fruits in different degrees, provide different time of effective storage of production: in regular atmosphere it is limited to 5-7 days, in modified atmosphere — to 10- 15, in controlled atmosphere — to 45 days and even more. The variety ‘Tamerlan’ provides a higher level of keeping quality of fruits with all storage technologies. CA conditions keep slowing ripening, inhibiting of fungal rot, extending storage time with high quality (color, taste, fruit structure) during storage and bringing to consumers. CA technology (O 2 — 14.0-16.0 %, CO 2 — 13.5-15.5 %, humidity 95 %) provides preserving or insignificant changes of biochemical and other indicators of fruit quality (vitamin C, dry soluble substances, titric acid content, total content of phenolic compounds, berry firmness) after 30 days of storage. The developed technology is environmentally safe and could be used in organic production of black currant.

Comparative evaluation of adaptation potential of black currant to uptake Ni in sod-podzolic soil

The paper analyzes the adaptive abilities of black currant cultivars of plants for the assimilation of nickel from highly cultivated sod-podzolic soils containing 10.7-14.1 mg / kg of fluent nickel. Plantings were monitored at experimental plantings of ARHIBAN (Moscow region) on 9 black currant cultivars: Oryol Serenade, Belarusskaja sladkaja, Zagadka, Vologda, Triton, Biryulevskaya, Titania, Orlowsky waltz, Exotica. The agrochemical properties of the soil, the content of fluent nickel in the soil, and its content in the fruits of black currant plants were determined. Based on the analysis, the coefficients of nickel assimilation by black currant plants were calculated and statistical dependencies of its accumulation indicators on agrochemical properties of sod-podzolic soils at different depths of the root layer were determined. According to the results of research, regression dependences of the accumulation of nickel in black currant fruits on the indicators of the agrochemical properties of the soil and the content in the soil of fluent nickel were constructed. It was established that the nickel content in black currant fruits primarily depended on the acidity of the soil, on the content in the soil of fluent nickel, alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen and fluent potassium. Black currant cultivars Belarusskaja sladkaja, Vologda, Triton, Biryulevskaya, Titania were more resistant to soil pollution with nickel.

Mineral profile of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.), growing in the Far Northeast of Russia

The aim of the study is to evaluate the mineral profile of black currant fruit (Ribes nigrum l.) growing in the North-East of Russia, on the territory of the Magadan region. Material and methods. Berry samples were collected within the forest zone of Magadan from wild plants. Atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine the content of 25 minerals and trace elements in the objects under study. Results and discussion. The content of minerals - calcium (64.2 mg%), magnesium (21.6 mg%), sodium (0.3 mg%), phosphorus (51.8 mg%) and trace elements - iodine (1.0 μg%), zinc (0.29 mg%) in black currant fruits (Ribes nigrum l.), growing in the forest zone of Magadan, corresponded to the database of chemical composition of Germany, Spain, Norway, Russia, USA, France, Sweden, Estonia. The content of potassium (180.3 mg%), copper (0.05 mg%), iron (0.4 mg%), manganese (0.1 mg%) was below the reference ranges. A portion (100 g) of black currant berries satisfies the daily requirement of an adult for selenium by 11%, potassium by 7%, phosphorus by 6.5%, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese - by 5%, iron by 3-4%, zinc by 2%. Conclusion. The obtained data on the content of minerals and trace elements in the berries of wild black currant growing in the North-East of Russia, can be an addition to and clarification of the information available in the literature and database on the chemical composition of foods.

Effect of woodchips mulch on performance of eight blackcurrant cultivars

Blackcurrant is one of the main berry crops grown in Latvia. Local climatic conditions and market demands require an accurate choice of well-adapted cultivars and improving of growing technologies in order to obtain higher yield and reduce production costs. This study presents the evaluation results of eight blackcurrant cultivars: ‘Bagira’, ‘Ben Connan’, ‘Ben Tirran’, ‘Chereshneva’, ‘Lentyai’, ‘Mara Eglite’, ‘Veloi’ and Titania’ in two growing practices – with application of woodchips mulch (using increased N fertilization rate) and without mulching. The trial was established in 2010 at Pūre Horticultural Research Centre, Latvia. Plant vegetative growth, phenological parameters, winter hardiness, yield, fruit quality, incidence of pests and diseases were evaluated during 2012-2016. All evaluated cultivars showed good adaptability for growing in local conditions. Mulching of soil with woodchips did not influence blackcurrant phenological development, productivity, fruit size and damage severity by pests, whereas it reduced weeds growth and leaf spot disease severity.

Chemical compositions and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of anthocyanidins from blueberry, blackcurrant and blue honeysuckle fruits

The chemical compositions and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins extracted from blueberry, blackcurrant and blue honeysuckle fruits and their acid hydrolysates (anthocyanidins) were analysed. Those anthocyanins were glycosidic anthocyanins that converted to anthocyanidins during acid hydrolysis, leading to increases in their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (expressed as IC50 values) from 0.232, 0.152 and 0.188 to 0.113 to 0.005 and 0.025 mg/mL. The potential inhibitory mechanism of these anthocyanidins was then investigated through inhibition kinetics, fluorescence quenching and docking simulations. The results showed the following: 1) all anthocyanidins were mixed-type inhibitors of α-glucosidase and they bind more tightly to free α-glucosidase as compared to the α-glucosidase-substrate complex; 2) anthocyanidin inhibition of α-glucosidase was a static procedure, presumably driven by hydrophobic associations and hydrogen bonding; and 3) all anthocyanidins were inserted into the active site of α-glucosidase and avoided the entrance of p-nitrophenyl-a-D-glucopyranoside. This study is valuable for anthocyanidins as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Epigenetic regulation of osteoblastogenesis by blackcurrant fruit extracts in vitro and in vivo

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern and is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis and osteopenia affect over 45 million Americans annually with an estimated cost of > $20 billion USD. Over 50% of women and ~13% of men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporosis‐related fracture in their lifetime resulting in loss of independence, health and productivity, thus the research and discovery of compounds that can enhance bone formation would be clinically significant. Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) are native to Central and Eastern Europe and Northern Asia and are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, bone and muscle disorders, diabetes, viral infections and inflammation. The berries contain four major anthocyanins: delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside. We have previously shown that blackcurrant extracts (BCE) increase myoblastogenesis, and in this work, we investigate its effects in cultured hFOB human osteoblasts and osterix/Sp7:mCherry transgenic medaka. hFOB human osteoblasts were obtained from ATCC and cultured in 1:1 mixture of Ham's F12 Medium Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium, with 2.5 mM L‐glutamine (without phenol red). Double transgenic medaka (dT; osterix/Sp7:mCherry were maintained at UIC under protocol #17‐166. Larvae at 9–12 dpf were staged and then treated for 5 days with the extracts and compounds (1–10 mg/ml). Osteoblast formation and distribution were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, bone mineralization was visualized by calcein. The results of this investigation demonstrate that BCE and delphinidin‐3‐glucose increased osteoblast proliferation and reduced apoptosis in cultured human osteoblasts (hFOB) by reducing Bax and p53 expression and altering HDAC1, HDAC3, SIRT 3 and PGC1amRNA expression. In osterix/Sp7:mCherry medaka, BCE treatment (10 mg/ml) increased osteoblast proliferation by increasing osterix/Sp7 expression. These data suggest that BCE and D3G increase osteoblastogenesis through epigenetic regulation of HDACs and mitochondrial biogenesis.Support or Funding InformationNCCIH at the National Institutes of HealthThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Application of HPLC\u2013PDA\u2013MS metabolite profiling to investigate the effect of growth temperature and day length on blackcurrant fruit

IntroductionBlackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is an excellent example of a “super fruit” with potential health benefits. Both genotype and cultivation environment are known to affect the chemical composition of blackcurrant, especially ascorbic acid and various phenolic compounds. Environmental conditions, like temperature, solar radiation and precipitation can also have significant impact on fruit chemical composition. The relevance of the study is further accentuated by the predicted and ongoing changes in global climate.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to provide new knowledge and a deeper understanding of the effects of post flowering environmental conditions, namely temperature and day length, on fruit quality and chemical composition of blackcurrant using an untargeted high performance liquid chromatography–photo diode array–mass spectrometry (HPLC–PDA–MS) metabolomics approach.MethodsA phytotron experiment with cultivation of single-stemmed potted plants of blackcurrant cv. Narve Viking was conducted using constant temperatures of 12, 18 or 24 °C and three different photoperiods (short day, short day with night interruption, and natural summer daylight conditions). Plants were also grown under ambient outdoor conditions. Ripe berries were analysed using an untargeted HPLC–PDA–MS metabolomics approach to detect the presence and concentration of molecules as affected by controlled climatic factors.ResultsThe untargeted metabolomics dataset contained a total of 7274 deconvolved retention time-m/z pairs across both electrospray ionisation (ESI) positive and negative polarities, from which 549 metabolites were identified or minimally annotated based upon accurate mass MS. Conventional principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with the Friedman significance test were applied to first identify which metabolites responded to temperature in a linear fashion. Multi-block hierarchical PCA in combination with the Friedman significance test was secondly applied to identify metabolites that were responsive to different day length conditions. Temperature had significant effect on a total of 365 metabolites representing a diverse range of chemical classes. It was observed that ripening of the blackcurrant berries under ambient conditions, compared to controlled conditions, resulted in an increased accumulation of 34 annotated metabolites, mainly anthocyanins and flavonoids. 18 metabolites were found to be regulated differentially under the different daylength conditions. Moreover, based upon the most abundant anthocyanins, a comparison between targeted and untargeted analyses, revealed a close convergence of the two analytical methods. Therefore, the study not just illustrates the value of non-targeted metabolomics approaches with respect to the huge diversity and numbers of significantly changed metabolites detected (and which would be missed by conventional targeted analyses), but also shows the validity of the non-targeted approach with respect to its precision compared to targeted analyses.ConclusionsBlackcurrant maturation under controlled ambient conditions revealed a number of insightful relationships between environment and chemical composition of the fruit. A prominent reduction of the most abundant anthocyanins under the highest temperature treatments indicated that blackcurrant berries in general may accumulate lower total anthocyanins in years with extreme hot summer conditions. HPLC–PDA–MS metabolomics is an excellent method for broad analysis of chemical composition of berries rich in phenolic compounds. Moreover, the experiment in controlled phytotron conditions provided additional knowledge concerning plant interactions with the environment.

Cold deacclimation mechanisms and reacclimation potential in flower buds of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum).

As a consequence of global climate change, cold acclimation and deacclimation cycles are becoming increasingly frequent during winter in temperate regions. However, little is known about plant deacclimation and in particular reacclimation mechanisms, although deacclimation resistance and the ability to reacclimate may have wide-ranging consequences regarding plant productivity in a changing climate. Here, we report time-dependent responses of freezing tolerance, respiration rates, metabolite contents (high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR) and fatty acid levels (gas chromatography) in flower buds of two ecodormant Ribes nigrum cultivars exposed to three different deacclimation temperatures followed by a reacclimation treatment at 4°C. The data reveal that despite differences in the progression of deacclimation, the capacity of blackcurrant flower buds to reharden in late winter is virtually non-existing, implying that increasingly irregular temperature patterns is critical for blackcurrant fruit yield. The early phase of deacclimation is associated with a transient increase in respiration and decreasing contents of amino acids, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates and sugars, indicating an increased need for carbon sources and respiratory energy production for the activation of growth. Decreasing sugar levels may additionally cause loss of freezing tolerance. Deacclimation also involves desaturation of membrane lipids, which likely also contributes to decreased freezing tolerance but may also reflect biosynthesis of signaling molecules stimulating growth and floral organ differentiation. These data provide new insights into the under-researched deacclimation mechanisms and the ability of blackcurrant to reacclimate following different advancements of deacclimation and contribute to our understanding of plant responses to increasingly irregular temperature patterns.

Enhancing the Potential Exploitation of Food Waste: Extraction, Purification, and Characterization of Renewable Specialty Chemicals from Blackcurrants ( Ribes nigrum L.).

Natural colorants were extracted from renewable botanical sources, specifically waste epicarp from the blackcurrant fruit pressing industry. A process was developed which used acidified water extraction followed by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification stage which allowed the production of an anthocyanin-rich extract in good yields (ca. 2% w/ w based on dry weight of raw material). The components in the extracts were extensively characterized by HPLC, mass spectrometry, IR, NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopy. HPLC confirmed presence of four anthocyanins: delphinidin-3- O-rutinoside (45%), cyanidin-3- O-rutinoside (31%), and the corresponding glucosides at 16% and 8%, respectively. On sequential liquid-liquid aqueous-organic partitioning of the post-SPE sample, monomeric anthocyanins (54.7%) and polymeric anthocyanins (18%) were found in the aqueous layer with 3- O-rutinosides of myricetin (3.1%) and quercetin (3.2%), while isopropylacetate achieved selective extraction of caffeic acid (3%), p-coumaric acid (5%), and myricetin (2.5%) and quercetin (3.2%) aglycons. 3- O-Glucosides of myricetin (3.1%) and quercetin (2%), along with nigrumin- p-coumarate (1%) and nigrumin ferulate (0.5%) were selectively extracted from the remaining aqueous fraction using ethyl acetate. This allowed for near total quantification of the blackcurrant extract composition.

The pharmacodynamic profile of “Blackadder” blackcurrant juice effects upon the monoamine axis in humans: A randomised controlled trial

Emerging evidence from human intervention trials indicates health benefits of consuming blackcurrant fruit, including improvements to cognitive performance, modulation of blood flow, regulation of blood glucose and inhibition of enzymes underpinning normal cognitive function. Of particular relevance is our previous demonstration of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and B inhibition after the consumption of a New Zealand “Blackadder” blackcurrant juice in humans. The current study uses a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised cross- over design to assess the pharmacodynamics of the effects on platelet MAO-B inhibition and associated substrates, plasma prolactin levels and blood glucose levels after consumption of a single serve of “Blackadder” blackcurrant juice standardised to 500 mg polyphenols. Eight healthy male (20-–35 years) participants completed the trial. Measurements were obtained at baseline 15, 30, 45, 60, 100, 120, 150, 180, 240 mins and 24 h post dose. A fast, absolute and reversible inhibition of blood platelet MAO-B (P < 0.001) and a significant but delayed reduction in plasma prolactin (P < 0.001) were observed following the consumption of “Blackadder” blackcurrant juice when compared to a placebo control. No interpretable changes in substrates of MAO or associated metabolites were seen. These data provide a clear time course of the reversible inhibition of MAO-B after the single consumption of a of New Zealand “Blackadder” blackcurrant juice standardised at 500 mg of polyphenols and, therefore, provide a therapeutic window on which to base future nutritional interventions.

Complexation of Bioelements and Toxic Metals by Polyphenolic Compounds - Implications for Health

Nowadays, growing interest in the possibility of prophylactic and therapeutic use of plant products rich in biologically active compounds has been observed. Among them, special interest has been focused on polyphenol-rich products. Owing to the multidirectional favourable action of polyphenols, products rich in these compounds are recommended as functional food in the case of civilization diseases. Moreover, data from studies in animal models show that polyphenols may be a promising preventive/therapeutic strategy for xenobiotics, including toxic heavy metals. The protective impact of polyphenols against metal toxicity may be explained by the presence of many hydroxyl groups in the structure of these compounds, which are capable of forming complexes with metals preventing as a result from their gastrointestinal absorption and accelerating their elimination from the body with urine. However, it should be taken into account that polyphenols may bind not only ions of toxic metals, but also bioelements, what makes a risk of their shortage in the organism. This review provides an overview of implications for humans' and animals' health of complexation of bioelements and toxic metals by polyphenols present in the popular foodstuffs, including phenolic acids, cyanidin derivatives, delphinidin, quercetin, kaempferol, morin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and curcumin. Polyphenolic compounds capable of binding both necessary and toxic metals occur in commonly consumed products such as green tea, and some fruit and vegetables, including chokeberries, bilberries, and black currant fruit, grapes, and apples, as well as onion. The mechanisms of complexation of essential and toxic metals by polyphenols and possible implications of these for health are discussed.

A Transcript and Metabolite Atlas of Blackcurrant Fruit Development Highlights Hormonal Regulation and Reveals the Role of Key Transcription Factors.

Blackcurrant fruit collected at six stages of development were assessed for changes in gene expression using custom whole transcriptome microarrays and for variation in metabolite content using a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal components analysis demonstrated that fruit development could be clearly defined according to their transcript or metabolite profiles. During early developmental stages, metabolite profiles were dominated by amino acids and tannins, whilst transcript profiles were enriched in functions associated with cell division, anatomical structure morphogenesis and cell wall metabolism. During mid fruit development, fatty acids accumulated and transcript profiles were consistent with seed and embryo development. At the later stages, sugars and anthocyanins accumulated consistent with transcript profiles that were associated with secondary metabolism. Transcript data also indicated active signaling during later stages of fruit development. A targeted analysis of signaling networks revealed a dynamic activation and repression of almost 60 different transcripts encoding transcription factors across the course of fruit development, many of which have been demonstrated as pivotal to controlling such processes in other species. Transcripts associated with cytokinin and gibberellin were highly abundant at early fruit development, whilst those associated with ABA and ethylene tended to be more abundant at later stages. The data presented here provides an insight into fruit development in blackcurrant and provides a foundation for further work in the elucidation of the genetic basis of fruit quality.

Effects of ultrasound irradiation on the characterization and bioactivities of the polysaccharide from blackcurrant fruits

In this study, the influence of ultrasound irradiation on the characterization and bioactivities of the polysaccharide from blackcurrant fruits (BCP, molecular weight: Mw = 3.26 × 104 kDa) was investigated. Two degraded polysaccharides (U-400, Mw = 1.89 × 104 kDa, and U-600, Mw = 1.32 × 104 kDa) were obtained by different ultrasound powers of 400 W and 600 W, respectively. Compared with BCP, U-400 and U-600 showed 63.52% and 68.85% reductions in the particle size (Zavg), respectively; moreover, the dynamic viscosity of BCP was reduced by 27.88%, and 33.63%, separately. The reducing sugar content and thermal stability increased with the increase of ultrasound intensity. The degraded polysaccharides contained the same monosaccharide species as those of BCP but at different molar ratios. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis confirmed that the degraded polysaccharides and BCP exhibited the similar structural features, which were mainly composed of six glycosidic bonds. A reduction in surface area of the flake-like structure was observed in the degraded polysaccharides compared to that of BCP, and they had no triple helix structure. Furthermore, the precise structural characteristics of U-600 were identified by 2D NMR analysis. The results of the bioactivity assays indicated that the ultrasound irradiation could evidently enhance the antioxidant (hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and DNA damage protection activities), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities of BCP. These activities increased in the order of U-600 > U-400 > BCP. In particular, the DNA protection and α-amylase inhibition activities for U-600 were 52.19 ± 1.34% and 75.98 ± 0.77%, respectively, which were 2 times higher than those of BCP. U-600 prepared with the higher-intensity ultrasound exhibited the best physicochemical properties and bioactivities among the three polysaccharides. These results suggested that ultrasound irradiation was an efficient, green method to produce value-added polysaccharide for use in functional food or medicine.

Physicochemical and Storage Characteristics of Hanwoo Tteokgalbi Treated with Onion Skin Powder and Blackcurrant Powder.

We evaluated the physicochemical and storage characteristics of Hanwoo Tteokgalbi treated with onion skin powder (OSP) and blackcurrant fruit powder (BFP). The experimental design included seven treatments: a control (ascorbic acid 0.1%), T1: OSP 0.3%, T2: OSP 0.6%, T3: BFP 0.3%, T4: BFP 0.6%, T5: OSP 0.15%+BFP 0.15%, and T6: OSP 0.3%+BFP 0.3%. The OSP was higher in both polyphenol and flavonoid contents compared to BFP (p<0.05). The moisture and ash contents of all Tteokgalbi samples with a large amount of added natural antioxidant powder (0.6%) were higher than those with small amounts of added antioxidant (0.3%). The cooking loss and water holding capacity were outstanding in the T2 treatment compared to the others (p<0.05). The lightness, redness, and yellowness values were reduced on the addition of 0.6% antioxidant powder (p<0.05). The springiness and cohesiveness values of the Tteokgalbi samples were higher for the 0.3% addition than the control and 0.6% addition (p<0.05). The Tteokgalbi samples with natural antioxidants showed similar sensory attribute scores compared to the control. The pH values reduced as the BFP increased (p<0.05), and the total microbial count increased after OSP addition. The 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of the samples treated with OSP were significantly lower than the control after day 10 (p<0.05). As a result, the addition of OSP or BFP did not have a significant negative influence on the quality characteristics of Hanwoo Tteokgalbi. In particular, the addition of 0.6% OSP was effective in increasing water retentivity and inhibiting lipid oxidation.