Goji Research Articles

A New Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Quantification of Vitamin C in Fresh and Dried Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum L.) Cultivated in Turkey.

The potential background of the study is related to comprehensive detection of the content of vitamin C with an actual chromatographic method. Vitamin C is of vital importance in terms of human life and health due to its polyfunctional activity such as antioxidant activity and antiviral effect with other biological functions. In this regard, it may be necessary to update analytical methods or develop up-to-date analytical methods to accurately estimate the amount of vitamin C in natural samples. In this study, a new ultra-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA) method has been developed for the determination of vitamin C content in fresh and dried goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.), which are cultivated in Turkey. The chromatographic elution of vitamin C in natural fruit samples was achieved on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (1.7 µm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) column using methanol and 0.1 M H3PO4 pH 2.15 (20:80, v/v), which are mobile phase. UPLC determination was done at the 242.8 nm. Flow rate was 0.20 mL/min at a column temperature of 30°C. Linearity range of the calibration graph was found to be at 5-30 µg/mL. The validity of the newly developed UPLC method was tested by analyzing individual test samples and added samples. Applicability of the validated UPLC method was verified by the quantitative analysis of vitamin C content in both fresh and dried goji berries. We believe that the newly developed and validated UPLC method would be a useful and promising approach for simple quantitative analysis of goji berry samples for vitamin C. In previous studies, no UPLC-PDA method was reported for the analysis of vitamin C in goji berries. The method provided a good repeatability for the analysis of real samples.

The Effects of some Compounds Found in Aronia and Goji Berries on Human Health

Berries consumption is a current concern in order to highlight the important content of their compounds on human health. Aronia berry is known as chokeberry and is native in North America and Canada. Due to the therapeutic properties, black chokeberries are very popular and appreciated fruits. The most important compounds, polyphenols and antioxidants, have many biological actions such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic and antiatherosclerotic effects Goji berry is also another important source of carotenoids and antioxidants and it has been used as a medicine in China for centuries. Goji berry is considered as a super fruit due to bioactive compounds that offer protection against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other comorbidities. Black chokeberry and goji berry have an antioxidant capacity ten times higher than other berries. Due to their high biological and nutritional value, these berries are being used more and more frequently in human nutrition and the extracts in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the main aim of this paper was to summarize and highlight the high content of bioactive compounds and beneficial effects of aronia and goji berries upon human health.

Goji Berry Gall Mite Expansion in Europe, with Emphasis on Southeastern Part of Romania

In Europe, the goji crop is expanding rapidly, to satisfy the increased market demand for functional foods, with effects in chronic diseases treatment (cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.). Romania has become in recent years one of the most important growers of goji berry, especially for organic production, as the species was quite resistant to main pests and diseases. Still, in 2008, a non-indigenous species of Eriophyid mites, called Aceria kuko, was identified on goji plants in UK and spread rapidly throughout the EU. The plant protection institutions took eradication measures, however the pest continued to spread in new plantations and recently on spontaneous plants. Based on GBIF, iNaturalist, personal observations and communication, the paper presents the current distribution of goji berry gall mite in Europe and in Romania and also suggests the use of new citizen science tool - ProtectGoji maps, that aims both to increase awareness of goji producers and consumers about this pest and to geolocate the species expansion in Romania for a better containment and control strategy.

Application of MgF2 as a new sorbent for preconcentration and isolation of sulphur in food samples before the determination by molecular absorption spectrometry

This study proposes, for the first time, the development of an analytical method using the new sorbent - magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and ultrasound-assisted dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (UA DMSPE) for accurate preconcentration and isolation of sulphur in food samples. The further determination was conducted with high-resolution continuum source electrothermal molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS ET MAS). The main UA DMSPE parameters were investigated. Satisfying extraction efficiencies were obtained using 10 mL of sample solution, 20 mg of MgF2 and 20 s extraction time. The limit of detection and the preconcentration factor were 0.001 μg mL−1 and 18, respectively, and no matrix effect was observed. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 2–13%. The proposed method was applied, inter alia, to corn flakes and flour, dried raisins and goji berries as well as different types of tea leaves. The accuracy of the developed method was evaluated by analysis of certified reference materials: mixed polish herbs (INCT-MPH-2), soya bean flour (INCT-SBF-4), tea leaves (INCT-TL-1), wheat (NCS ZC73009) and corn (NCS ZC73010). Sulphur concentrations determined in these materials were in satisfactory agreement with the certified values (recoveries in the range of 94% to 101%).

Effects of Fortified Laying Hen Diet with Moringa oleifera Leaves and Goji Berries on Cholesterol and Carotenoid Egg Content.

The biofortification of basal laying hen feed with natural matrices can improve the beneficial potential of eggs produced without relying on artificial fortification. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hen diet supplementation with dried Moringa leaves (DML) and goji berries (DGB) on egg functional properties in terms of cholesterol and carotenoid content. Forty Lohman Brown Classic laying hens were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (G1) received the basal poultry diet, group G2 received a diet with 5% DML + 10% DGB, group G3 received a diet with 3% DML + 7% DGB, and group G4 received a diet with 15% DML. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that feed supplementation positively influenced the egg carotenoid content, with a valuable increase in xanthophylls concentration, especially lutein (+333.24% in G4, +258.15% in G2, +189.24% in G3, compared to G1). The same trend was also followed by the β-carotene concentration (+181.38% in G3 and +116.01% in G4, compared to G1). Furthermore, the eggs obtained from G3 showed the lowest cholesterol content (−47.08%). Additionally, the performed antioxidant assays showed maximum activity in G2 (+39.11 compared to G1 for the DPPH test) and in G4 (+31.11 compared to G1 for the ABTS test). In conclusion, the G2 experimental diet could be potentially used in poultry industries to produce “functional eggs”.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Lycium barbarum L. under Heat Stress

Heat stress has a strong and detrimental effect on plant growth and yield. Goji berry or wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) is a dual-purpose medicinal and food plant but an increase in high temperatures has caused a serious decline in wolfberry yield and quality. In this study, we first explored the heat stress responses of Goji berry, and found that heat stress adaptation mechanisms fluctuated over 48 h. Moreover, L.barbarum 1402 was more heat resistant while L.barbarum Ningqi No. 7 (N7) was sensitive to high temperatures, in which amino acids and alkaloids played key roles; expression and accumulation timing was also crucial. That is, 1402 responded to heat stress rapidly starting at 1 h under high temperature, activated related genes, and accumulated metabolites earlier in the amino acid metabolic pathway compared to N7, which responded to heat stress starting at 3 h under high temperature. Thus, 1402 resisted high temperatures much earlier and better compared to N7. Furthermore, joint transcriptome and metabolome analysis results showed that L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, N-benzylformamide, N-benzylmethylene isomethylamine, lysoPC 19:1, and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-1-phosthate, as well as their related genes, were higher in content, or earlier in expression, in 1402 compared to N7 under heat treatment. This study initially elucidates that Goji berry 1402 has a better tolerance to heat stress than N7 for earlier and higher expression or accumulation of amino acids and alkaloids when related to high temperatures.

Optimization of the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using goji berries’ bioactive compounds

Optimization of the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using goji berries’ bioactive compounds

Development of shrimp freshness-monitoring labels by immobilizing black eggplant and black goji berry anthocyanins in different polysaccharide/PVA matrices

Development of shrimp freshness-monitoring labels by immobilizing black eggplant and black goji berry anthocyanins in different polysaccharide/PVA matrices

Fruit morphological and nutritional quality features of goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) during fruit development

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) is one of the most pivotal economic crops with an exceptional nutritional value. Based on its high global consumption, understanding the fruit growth patterns and nutrient accumulation at each developmental stage is crucial for the field and production management of high-quality goji berry cultivars. In this study, a fruit growth and development model of goji berry was established using a double sigmoid curve, where the entire fruit development period was divided into three phases (phase Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ) with two key time points. Morphological features and nutritional components were measured at four (young, green, coloring, and red) stages of fruit growth in five cultivars. The nutritional constituents, namely galactose, fructose, and total sugar, monotonically increased from young to red stage. The highest polysaccharide content occurred at the young stage, whereas the sucrose, betaine, and flavonoid content were the highest in the green stage. Moreover, corresponding to the fruit growth model, polysaccharide was mainly accumulated during phase I and III, sucrose, betaine, and flavonoid were produced and concentrated during phase Ⅱ, and the galactose, fructose, and total sugar content rapidly increased during phase Ⅲ. The two key time points in the goji berry fruit development and nutrient accumulation range were 10–13 days and 21–26 days after full bloom, where water and fertilizer management should be enhanced. Correlation analyses suggested that morphological features were significantly correlated in all four growth stages, while a strong correlation among specific nutritional components was found in some certain growth stages with p-values smaller than 0.05 and Pearson correlation coefficients greater than 0.5. Principal component analysis indicates that total sugar and polysaccharide contents can be used as the main factors for evaluating the nutritional quality of different cultivars. Among the selected cultivars, ‘Ningqi 7’ was significantly better than other cultivars with respect to the nutritional levels. These findings can support breeding strategies and improve the effective field management of high-quality goji berry cultivars.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Regulates the Lipid Metabolism and Alters Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice.

Bioactive compounds provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of obesity. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a biological macromolecule extracted from Goji berry, has displayed potential for regulating lipid metabolism. However, the relationship between gut microbiota regulation and lipid metabolism is not entirely clear. In the present study, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg LBP were intragastrically administered to C57BL/6J male mice fed with a high-fat diet simultaneously lasting for twelve weeks. The results showed that 150 mg/kg LBP showed significant results and all doses of LBP feeding (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) remarkably decreased both serum and liver total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Treatment of 150 mg/kg LBP seems to be more effective in weight loss, lowering free fatty acid (FFA) levels in serum and liver tissues of mice. LBP feeding increased the gene expression of adiponectin and decreased the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, Cluster of Differentiation 36, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the 16s rDNA Sequencing analysis showed that 150 mg/kg LBP feeding may significantly increase the richness of gut microbiota by up-regulation of the ACE and Chao1 index and altered β-diversity among groups. Treatment of 150 mg/kg LBP feeding significantly regulated the microbial distribution by decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Faecalibaculum, Pantoea, and uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae at the genus level was significantly affected by LBP feeding. A significant correlation was observed between body weight, TC, TG, FFA and bile acid and phyla at the genus level. The above results indicate that LBP plays a vital role in preventing obesity by co-regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota, but its effects vary with the dose.

Influence of acidic electrolyzed water combined with vacuum precooling treatment on quality and antioxidant performance of fresh Lycium barbarum L.

AbstractIn this work, to evaluate the role of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) combined with vacuum precooling (VP) treatment in fresh goji preservation, the physicochemical properties and anti‐oxidation indexes of goji berries were compared between the AEW+VP‐treated and control (VP treatment) groups during storage at 4, 7, and 10°C. The results showed that AEW+VP could effectively inhibit the decrease in L* and a* values, reduce the respiratory rate, delay the loss of vitamin C content, and maintain higher total soluble solid (TSS) content. Compared to the control, AEW+VP‐treated goji maintained higher catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Therefore, AEW+VP treatment could effectively improve the storage quality and extend the shelf life of fresh goji berries.Practical applicationsAcidic electrolyzed water, a clean and environmentally friendly preservation technology, combined with vacuum precooling extended the shelf life of fresh goji berries while delaying the aging of goji berries at different storage temperatures. In this sense, AEW+VP had certain stability in enhancing the storage quality and extending the shelf life of goji berries, which can be regarded as an effective strategy for promoting the preservation of agricultural products.

Authenticity assessment of cultivated berries via phenolic profiles of seeds

Considering the health-benefits of berry fruits consumption and increased market demands for food authenticity as one of the most important quality assurances, phenolic profiling by high-performance thin layer chromatography and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry was combined with multivariate analysis for phytochemical characterization and intercultivar discrimination of cultivated berry seeds. The phenolic profiles of 45 berry seeds from nine genuine Serbian cultivated fruit species (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, gooseberry, cape gooseberry, chokeberry, and goji berry) revealed a good differentiation according to botanical origin. In order to determine biomarkers responsible for the classification, a total of 103 phenolic compounds were identified, including 53 phenolic acids and their derivatives, 26 flavonoids and 24 glycosides. Biomarkers derived from the phenolic profile of berry seeds proved to be a powerful tool in the authentication of botanical origin, and may be useful in detection of frauds in berry-based seed-containing product.

Comparative study of phytochemicals, antioxidant activities and chromatographic profiling of different parts of Lycium ruthenicum Murr of Trans-Himalayan region

BackgroundLycium ruthenicum is one of the high values yet lesser explored medicinal plant of trans-Himalayan region of India. The local traditional medicine system (Amchi system) has immense interest in powerful biological activity of its fruits (black Goji berries). Lycium ruthenicum used for treatment of many health problems like abnormal menstruation, vision problem, heart disease, enhance liver and kidney function, as well as nutraceutical supplements. Purpose: In this study, we aim to have investigated, the comparative analysis of phenolics content, flavonoid, tannin, anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and chromatographic profiling (GC–MS,LC-MS) of different parts (leaf, stem and berry) extracts of Lycium ruthenicum. MethodsTotal Phenolic Content, flavonoids, tannins and Anthocyanin content were spectrophotometrically measured and the antioxidant activity was investigate using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and reducing power assay method. Lycium potential extracts were characterized by GC–MS and LC-MS. ResultThe total phenolic content, flavonoid content and tannin content of leaf and stem soxhlet extract have shown highest values (91.5 ± 3.06 mg of (GAE)/ g DFE, 484.4 ± 4.1 mg of (QR)/ g DFE, 339.0 ± 1.61(CT)/g of DFE: 167.8 ± 2.7 mg of (GAE)/ g DFE, 310.9 ± 3.93 mg of (QR)/ g DFE, 237.0 ± 4.6(CT)/g of DFE) followed by antioxidant assays, DPPH (IC50: 0.182 mg/ml and IC50: 1.152 mg/ml) and ABTS (IC50: 0.046 mg/ml and IC50: 0.015 mg/ml) and FRAP potential (147.7 ± 4.27 mg of TE/ g DFE and100.8 ± 2.9 mg of TE/ g DFE), which significantly correlates to its high content of polyphenolics and flavonoids via a GC–MS analysis. Whereas in case of fruit, ultrasonic and maceration both extracts showed the similar results. GC–MS results of leaf and stem extracts shown the presence of 69 compounds comprising steroids, terpenes, fatty acids, esters, phenolic, aldehyde, furan, and pyridines compounds. ConclusionQuantitative analysis showed that soxhlet extracts of leaf and stem have higher contents of total phenolics and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity as compared to other extraction methods. The present results support the Lycium ruthenicum leaf and stem extracts might be good source in healthy food supplements, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Licium Barbarum cultivated in Italy: Chemical characterization and nutritional evaluation

Goji berries are the most cultivated fruit crop in Asian countries as they contain many nutrients and health-promoting bioactive compounds. These health-promoting properties have recently stimulated the interest of food and nutraceutical industries in Europe, so this crop has spread within Italy, which has become the largest European producer. Several works on the chemical composition and biological activities of Chinese goji berries are available. In this review, the chemical and the nutritional profile of goji berries from Licium barbarum spp. cultivated in Italy are reported.

Effects of Trichoderma on nitrogen absorption and use efficiency in Lycium chinense roots under saline stress

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the improvement of Trichoderma on Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense) growth under saline stress, we analyzed the effects of application of organic fertilizer, Trichoderma agent and fertilizer on nitrogen uptake, assimilation, accumulation and use efficiency in Chinese wolfberry, based on a pot experiment with coastal saline soil. The organic fertilizer was the sterilization substance of Trichoderma fertilizer without viable Trichoderma, without any difference in the content of nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) between them. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer, Trichoderma agent and ferti-lizer significantly increased NO3- and NH4+ influx rate in meristematic zone and NO3- influx rate in maturation zone of roots. The magnitude of such enhancement was greater in the application with Trichoderma fertilizer than organic fertilizer. Compared with the control, the application of Trichoderma agent and fertilizer significantly increased root, stem and leaf biomass and nitrogen content as well as plant nitrogen accumulation, strengthened root and leaf nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, and elevated nitrogen uptake efficiency, photosynthetic rate, stable carbon isotope abundance and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency. For all those variables, the beneficial effect was obviously stronger in the application with Trichoderma fertilizer than organic fertilizer. Therefore, Trichoderma facilitated nitrogen uptake, assimilation and accumulation in Chinese wolfberry under saline stress, improved photosynthetic carbon fixation ability and nitrogen use efficiency, and ultimately promoted plant growth.

Predictive Evaluation of Microbiological Stability of Soft Drinks with Lycium barbarum L. Stored at Temperature Shifts.

Lycium barbarum L., used in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries, has gained popularity in Europe in the last decade because of its health-promoting properties assigned to phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Goji fruits and extracts are often used as ingredients in popular homemade milk cocktails. Within this study, the microbiological stability of the milkshake, with the addition of berries from NingXia Province and their extract, was evaluated using the ComBase® prognostic model. The extraction of dry berries in water at 70 °C for 72 h produced an extract showing radical inhibition of 64.9% and a total phenol content of 63.6 mg g−1. The phenolic compounds with the highest concentrations were in turn: 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, procyanidin B2, and catechin. The milkshake inoculated with the reference B. subtilis was a model for the study of its microbiological stability. Using ComBase®, a microbiological response to the delayed cooling of goji berry extract and the milkshake with the addition of goji berries was predicted and the model’s accuracy assessed. The best-performing models were constructed for extract (Bias factor Bf 1.33, Accuracy factor Af 3.43) and milkshake (Bf 1.29, Af 1.65) in a profile simulating delayed refrigeration (22.5 °C–9 °C–23 °C). Despite discrepancies between predicted and observed bacterial growth due to the antimicrobial effect of the derivatives of goji berries, the models were validated as „overpredict”, i.e., „fail safe”, and may be used to prognose the stability of these products in the given temperature profile.

Bioactivity Applications of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide In Regulating Human Health

For approximately 2,000 years, Lycium barbarum was regarding as a traditional medicine, and was believed that Wolfberry can nourish the liver, eyes, and kidneys. The fruit of Goji berries can also be eaten as food, and these berries have various biological importance, its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and anti-aging effects were discovered. Among those bioactive components, the most important one is Lycium Barbarum polysaccharide (LBP). LBP main structures include β-(1→3)-galp, α-(1→4)-galA, α-(1→6)-glc, β-(1→6)-galp, β-(1→4)-galp, and α-(1→5)-ara. There are various ways in which LBP is extracted. Various studies have demonstrated that LBP possess various biological activities. The main activities of LBP are anti-oxidation, anti-cancer and metabolic regulation. It can also be used in nerve damage repair, liver protection and eye protection. In this article, the structure of LBP and its medicinal value will be summarized as a reference for its further applications.

A high-resolution Orbitrap Mass spectral library for trace volatile compounds in fruit wines

The overall aroma is an important factor of the sensory quality of fruit wines, which attributed to hundreds of volatile compounds. However, the qualitative determination of trace volatile compounds is considered to be very challenging work. GC-Orbitrap-MS with high resolution and high sensitivity provided more possibilities for the determination of volatile compounds, but without the high-resolution mass spectral library. For accuracy of qualitative determination in fruit wines by GC-Orbitrap-MS, a high-resolution mass spectral library, including 76 volatile compounds, was developed in this study. Not only the HRMS spectrum but also the exact ion fragment, relative abundance, retention indices (RI), CAS number, chemical structure diagram, aroma description and aroma threshold (ortho-nasally) were provided and were shown in a database website (Food Flavor Laboratory, http://foodflavorlab.cn/). HRMS library was used to successfully identify the volatile compounds mentioned above in 16 fruit wines (5 blueberry wines, 6 goji berry wines and 5 hawthorn wines). The library was developed as an important basis for further understanding of trace volatile compounds in fruit wines.

Nutraceutical profile of goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries in relation to environmental conditions and harvesting period

Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries are well known for their biological activities and health-promoting antioxidant properties. Environmental and climatic factors can greatly affect accumulation of secondary metabolites, carotenoids and other antioxidants in plants. We determined the content and composition of main functional constituents of goji berries produced in central Italy in relation to the time of harvesting during two ripening seasons by analyzing the main environmental variables involved. The highest flavonoids content (0,19 ± 0,006 mg QE/g) and antioxidant power (0,03 ± 0,001 mmol Fe2+eq/g) were found at the beginning of the fruiting season. In September, berries show the highest total polyphenols (3,22 ± 0,09 mg GAE/g) and zeaxanthin contents (339,79 ± 14,12 μg/g). Our study focused on some important aspects related to the production of goji fruits with high nutraceutical characteristics in a non-experimental cultivation. Our results could provide reliable information on Goji performance in the European climate to be used for the exploitation of the species suggesting the best harvesting timing in terms of antioxidant power and nutraceutical features of berries. This information could be particularly useful for farmers eager to improve the quality of their products.

Goji Berry (Lycİum spp.) Cultivation in Turkey

Abstract The goji berry (Lycium spp.) belongs to the Solanaceae family. The genus Lycium comprises 87 recognised species and is distributed in arid and semi-arid regions in temperate to subtropical zones in the world. In botanical terms, there are three types of Lycium species known as wolf-berry and commercially grown in the whole world: Lycium barbarum L. (2n = 24), Lycium chinense Miller (n = 12), and Lycium ruthenicum Murray (n = 12). Wolfberry is a herb growing naturally in both the mild and tropical areas of East, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa. Also known as wolfberry (Lycium spp.), the motherland of wolfberry is China and it can even be grown in the Himalayas, the highest points of Tibet and Mongolia. Recently, in Turkey goji berry became a popular fruit due to its health benefit compounds, especially phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, tocopherol, ascorbic acid and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to conduct a historical assessment of the botanic properties and cultivation of wolfberry plant and to provide information on the types and cultivars grown commonly in Turkey, distribution areas of production, consumption and use as a technologic product, marketing status, benefits for human health, multiplication and production techniques.