Vaccinium Angustifolium Research Articles

Lowbush blueberry plantation age influences natural biodiversity on an abandoned extracted peatland

Vegetation rehabilitation of harvested peat fields is globally important because it facilitates the restoration of natural biodiversity. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosses, lichens and arthropods in blueberry plantations of differing age on an abandoned peat production area. In the experiment, two lichen and five moss species were detected in total. By contrast, only one species, a moss, was found on a non-vegetated, abandoned peat area. Although the total number of lichens and mosses was not high, it varied significantly according to lowbush blueberry age. It was higher in 5–7-year old plantations with no significant differences with a natural, drained bog. As plant cover by cultivated blueberry plants increased up to 99% in the 13-year plantation, the presence of non-vascular plants diminished. The total number of arthropods depended on the age of the blueberry plantation and was lowest in the non-vegetated, abandoned peat area. Plantation age influenced arthropod abundance in both experimental years. More beneficial or neutral arthropods were found in bog and 6- and 7-year old plantations, while phytophagous arthropods predominated in older plots. Dominating beneficial arthropod groups in both years were Araneidae, Thomisidae, Lycosidae, Collembola, Formicidae and Carabidae. The growing of lowbush blueberry may become one option for the vegetation restoration of abandoned peatlands and the plant cover it provides serves as a suitable habitat for various arthropods.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium Angustifolium Aiton)

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium Angustifolium Aiton)

Comprehensive analysis of phenolic compounds and abscisic acid profiles of twelve native Canadian berries

Wild berries, integral parts of North American Natives’ traditional nutrition, are a rich source of phytochemicals involved in the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Although phenolic compounds are generally considered to be the functional components in fruits, the identification of specific compounds in relation to this beneficial activity remains to be uncovered. With the long-term goal of establishing the contribution of phytochemical compounds to their beneficial health effects, we investigated in a comprehensive manner the composition of twelve native Canadian berries: Saskatoon berry, alpine bearberry, chokeberry, black crowberry, honeysuckle, chokecherry, cloudberry, elderberry, lowbush blueberry, alpine blueberry, lingonberry and highbush cranberry. All harvested in the province of Quebec, these fruits were analyzed for their phenolic composition (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins) and their content in abscisic acid derivatives (cis- and trans-ABA, abscisic acid-glucose ester, 7′-hydroxy-abscisic acid, neo-phaseic acid, phaseic acid and dihydrophaseic acid). Over 60 different phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in berries. Along with the characterization of abscisic acid, this study reports for the first time a complete characterization of proanthocyanidins in these fruits, highbush cranberry presenting the highest content of this class of compounds.

The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage associated with exercise

The present study examined the effect of wild blueberries on oxidative stress, the inflammatory response and DNA damage associated with exercise in untrained individuals. Ten sedentary males, aged 21-26 years, completed two single bouts of treadmill exercise at 70% of their VO2max. One bout occurred prior to, and one occurred following daily consumption of 300 g of wild blueberries for eight weeks. Blood samples were drawn during both exercise bouts and assayed for measures of oxidative stress (manganese-superoxide dismutase: Mn-SOD), inflammation (tumour necrosis factor-alpha: TNF-α and interleukin-6: IL-6) and DNA damage (comet assay). Blood samples were obtained immediately pre-exercise, and post exercise at 0, 30 and 60 min, and 3 and 6 h. A significant interaction between pre- and post-intervention over time was detected in plasma Mn-SOD concentration. Post hoc comparisons showed no significant differences between time points pre- and post-intervention, although plasma Mn-SOD concentration showed a moderate trend 30 min after exercise with wild blueberry consumption (P=0.072). A significant increase in IL-6 was observed for time (at 30 min and 1 h) following exercise, both pre- and post-intervention. No significant differences were seen in DNA damage or TNF-α either with exercise or the intervention. This study demonstrates that a single bout of exercise at 70% of VO2max is sufficient to cause a significant increase in inflammation in untrained individuals. The trend for Mn-SOD concentration to decrease after exercise post-intervention indicates a potential benefit of wild blueberries to increase antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress.

Estimation of the rootzone depth above a gravel layer (in wild blueberry fields) using electromagnetic induction method

Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields in the north east Canada are naturally grown in a course textured thin layer of soil and below this layer is a soilless layer of gravel. The root zone depth of this crop varies from 10 to 15 cm. Investigating the depth to the gravel layer below the course textured soil is advantageous, as it affects the water holding capacity of the root zone. Water and nutrient management are the two primary determinants of crop yield and the amount of leaching. The objective of this study was to estimate the depth to the gravel layer using DualEM-2 instrument. A C++ program written in Visual Studio 2010 was used to develop mathematical models for estimating the depth to the gravel layer from the outputs of DualEM-2 sensor. Two wild blueberry fields were selected in central Nova Scotia, Canada to evaluate the performance of DualEM-2 instrument in estimating the rootzone depth above the gravel layer. The mid points of squares created by grid lines were used as the sampling points at each experimental site. The actual depth to the interface was measured manually at selected grid points (n = 50). The apparent ground conductivity (ECa) values of DualEM-2 were recorded and the depth to the interface was estimated for the same sampling points within the selected fields. The fruit yield samples were also collected from the same grid points to identify the impact of the depth to the gravel layer on crop yield. After calibrations, comprehensive surveys were conducted and the actual and estimated depths to the interface were established. The interpolated maps of fruit yield, and the actual (zin) and estimated ( $$ {\text{z}}_{\text{in}}^{*} $$ ) depths to the interface were created in ArcGIS 10 software. Results indicated that the zin was significantly correlated with $$ {\text{z}}_{\text{in}}^{*} $$ for the North River (R 2 = 0.73; RMSE = 0.27 m) and the Carmel (R 2 = 0.45; RMSE = 0.20 m) sites. Results revealed that the areas with shallow depth to the gravel layer were low yielding, indicating that the variation in the depth to the gravel layer can have an impact on crop productivity. Non-destructive estimations of the depth to the gravel layer can be used to develop erosion control strategies, which will result in an increased crop production.

Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) Polyphenols Target Fusobacterium nucleatum and the Host Inflammatory Response: Potential Innovative Molecules for Treating Periodontal Diseases.

Blueberries contain significant amounts of flavonoids to which a number of beneficial health effects in humans have been associated. The present study investigated the effect of a polyphenol-rich lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) extract on the two main etiologic components of periodontitis, a multifactorial disorder affecting the supporting structures of the teeth. Phenolic acids, flavonoids (flavonols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols), and procyanidins made up 16.6, 12.9, and 2.7% of the blueberry extract, respectively. The blueberry extract showed antibacterial activity (MIC = 1 mg/mL) against the periodontopathogenic bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum. This property may result from the ability of blueberry polyphenols to chelate iron. Moreover, the blueberry extract at 62.5 μg/mL inhibited F. nucleatum biofilm formation by 87.5 ± 2.3%. Subsequently, the ability of the blueberry extract to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway in U937-3xκB cells was investigated. The blueberry extract dose-dependently inhibited the activation of NF-κB induced by F. nucleatum. In addition, a pretreatment of macrophages with the blueberry extract (62.5 μg/mL) inhibited the secretion of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 by 87.3 ± 1.3, 80.7 ± 5.6, and 28.2 ± 9.3%, respectively, following a stimulation with F. nucleatum. Similarly, the secretion of MMP-8 and MMP-9 was also dose-dependently inhibited. This dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action of lowbush blueberry polyphenols suggests that they may be promising candidates for novel therapeutic agents.

Elevated Genetic Diversity in the Emerging Blueberry Pathogen Exobasidium maculosum.

Emerging diseases caused by fungi are increasing at an alarming rate. Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot of blueberry, caused by the fungus Exobasidium maculosum, is an emerging disease that has rapidly increased in prevalence throughout the southeastern USA, severely reducing fruit quality in some plantings. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic diversity of E. maculosum in the southeastern USA to elucidate the basis of disease emergence and to investigate if populations of E. maculosum are structured by geography, host species, or tissue type. We sequenced three conserved loci from 82 isolates collected from leaves and fruit of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum), highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum), and southern highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum hybrids) from commercial fields in Georgia and North Carolina, USA, and 6 isolates from lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium) from Maine, USA, and Nova Scotia, Canada. Populations of E. maculosum from the southeastern USA and from lowbush blueberry in Maine and Nova Scotia are distinct, but do not represent unique species. No difference in genetic structure was detected between different host tissues or among different host species within the southeastern USA; however, differentiation was detected between populations in Georgia and North Carolina. Overall, E. maculosum showed extreme genetic diversity within the conserved loci with 286 segregating sites among the 1,775 sequenced nucleotides and each isolate representing a unique multilocus haplotype. However, 94% of the nucleotide substitutions were silent, so despite the high number of mutations, selective constraints have limited changes to the amino acid sequences of the housekeeping genes. Overall, these results suggest that the emergence of Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot is not due to a recent introduction or host shift, or the recent evolution of aggressive genotypes of E. maculosum, but more likely as a result of an increasing host population or an environmental change.

A Review of the Blueberry Maggot Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Native to North America, the blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), has historically been considered one of the most important insect pests of commercially grown highbush and lowbush blueberries in many parts of the northeastern and north central United States and Canada. Larval infestation results in unmarketable berries owing to a zero-tolerance policy enforced by quarantine regulations for exporting berries to countries outside the United States. To keep berries free from larvae, growers need to maintain an intensive management program that is based mainly on chemical control targeted at adults. Blueberry maggot flies have been largely managed by the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, including organophosphates and carbamates; however, restricted use of these old chemistries has resulted in increased use of “reduced-risk” neonicotinoids. Integrated pest management programs for blueberry maggot include the use of monitoring tools such as Pherocon-AM sticky traps, site-specific insecticide applications, border sprays, and use of reduced-risk insecticides. The pest status of the blueberry maggot fly in blueberries has changed recently due to the invasion into the continental United States of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, which has now become the main target of insecticide applications, replacing the blueberry maggot. This new invasive pest has disrupted integrated pest management programs implemented for blueberry maggot. The present review describes the biology, ecology, crop injury, monitoring tools, and control strategies currently used for blueberry maggot in blueberries, as well as provide a perspective on its present and potential future pest status.

Abundance and Diversity of Wild Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Found in Lowbush Blueberry Growing Regions of Downeast Maine.

Insect-mediated pollination is critical for lowbush blueberry (Ericaceae: Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) fruit development. Past research shows a persistent presence of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) providing pollination services even when commercial pollinators are present. We undertook the study to 1) provide a description of bee communities found in lowbush blueberry-growing regions, 2) identify field characteristics or farm management practices that influence those communities, 3) identify key wild bee pollinators that provide pollination services for the blueberry crop, and 4) identify non-crop plants found within the cropping system that provide forage for wild bees. During a 4-year period, we collected solitary and eusocial bees in over 40 fields during and after blueberry bloom, determining a management description for each field. We collected 4,474 solitary bees representing 124 species and 1,315 summer bumble bees representing nine species. No bumble bee species were previously unknown in Maine, yet we document seven solitary bee species new for the state. These include species of the genera Nomada, Lasioglossum, Calliopsis, and Augochloropsis. No field characteristic or farm management practice related to bee community structure, except bumble bee species richness was higher in certified organic fields. Pollen analysis determined scopal loads of 67-99% ericaceous pollen carried by five species of Andrena. Our data suggest two native ericaceous plants, Kalmia angustifolia L. and Gaylussacia baccata (Wangenheim), provide important alternative floral resources. We conclude that Maine blueberry croplands are populated with a species-rich bee community that fluctuates in time and space. We suggest growers develop and maintain wild bee forage and nest sites.

Propagation Methods Affect Fruit Morphology and Antioxidant Properties but Maintain Clonal Fidelity in Lowbush Blueberry

The berry morphology (size and weight), phytochemical content (polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins), and antioxidant activity of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) wild clone QB 9C and cultivar Fundy, propagated by tissue culture (TC) and softwood cutting (SC), were studied over two growing seasons to evaluate the effect of propagation methods on fruit yield and the content of antioxidant metabolites. Number of flower clusters, number of berries and berry weight per plant, diameter and weight of individual berry were higher in SC plants than those of TC plants. Significant interaction between genotypes and propagation methods were observed for total phenolic and flavonoid content of fruits. Berries from TC plants contained more polyphenols and flavonoids than those of SC plants. Twenty microsatellite markers were used to assess the clonal fidelity of TC regenerants and SC plants. The identical monomorphic amplification profiles within the TC plants of each genotype confirmed the clonal fidelity of micropropagated blueberry plants. These results indicate that propagation methods affected the morphology and antioxidant metabolites but maintained trueness-to-type genetic makeup in blueberry.

Comparative Anti-oxidant Activity of Korean and Canadian High Bush Blueberry Fructus

Blueberries (Ericaceae) are cultivated worldwide, and are used not only as foodstuff but also for relievement of eyestrain. Bluberry species representatively includes highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.), lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium AIT.), rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei READE), and bilberry blueberry (V. myrtillus L.). All of these species contain large amounts of phenolics and anthocyanins. In this regard, we isolated six compounds from Korea cultivated blueberry and identified as 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (2), myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside (3), quercetin-3-O-ruti- noside (4), ethyl-3-O-caffeoylquinic acid ester (5), ethyl-5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid ester (6) by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR and MS. Anti-oxidative activities of six compounds were verified by anti-oxidant assay such as DPPH, ABTS and Hypoxanthine/xan- thine oxidase system. And then, anti-oxidant activities of Korea blueberry and Canadian were compared with each other. These results support that Korean blueberry has also the possibility to be potential supplementary material as healthy food like Canadian blueberry. Therefore, Korean blueberry can be used as a substitute of Canadian blueberry. Keywords □ high bush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, myricetin-3-O-β-D- galactoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, ethyl-3-O-caffeoyl quinic acid ester, ethyl-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid ester, anti-oxidant activity

Lowbush Blueberry Component Pterostilbene Inhibits the Matrix Metalloproteinase and the Urokinase Signaling Systems in Human Prostate Cancer Cells Via Alterations in Cellular Signal Transduction Pathways

Wild blueberry extracts were shown to inhibit MMP-2 & MMP-9 activity in DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. This study examined the effects of pterostilbene (PT) on MMP & uPA activities in DU145 cells. PT (30uM)(6h) inhibited MMP-2/-9 activity. PT decreased cellular viability ~10% post 6 h. exposure. PT treatment increased TIMP-1/-2 & decreased EMMPRIN & RECK expression. PT treatment decreased uPA & uPAR and increased PAI-1/-2 protein expression. PT treatment resulted in increased expression of pERK-1, pERK-2 & ERK-1. PT decreased p-p38 & p38 protein levels. No apparent change in either ERK-2, JNK-1 & JNK-2 or p-JNK-2 expression was noted. PT did increase p-JNK-1 protein levels. PT increased expression of p-Akt & P-I-3 kinase p85 with no apparent change in either Akt or P-I-3 kinase p110 protein expression levels. PT also increased JAK1, STAT3 & STAT4 expression & decreased JAK2 & STAT1 expression with no apparent change in either JAK3 or STAT2 expression. PT decreased cytosolic p65 and nuclear p50 & increased cytosolic p50 & increased IkB & c-fos and c-jun expression. PT can inhibit MMP-2/-9 & uPA activities by affecting cellular signalling. (Telus Motorcycle Ride for Dad (PEI Division) Prostate Cancer Research Fund)

Complex Formation of Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Anthocyanins during Freeze-Drying and Its Influence on Their Biological Activity

Biological activity of polyphenols is influenced by their uptake and is highly influenced by their interactions with the food matrix. This study evaluated the complex formation of blueberry polyphenols with fruit matrixes such as pectin and cellulose and their effect on the biological and antiproliferative properties of human colon cell lines HT-29 and CRL 1790. Free or complexed polyphenols were isolated by dialyzing aqueous or methanolic blueberry homogenates. Seven phenolic compounds and thirteen anthocyanins were identified in blueberry extracts. Blueberry extracts showed varying degrees of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, as well as α-glucosidase activity. Fruit matrix containing cellulose and pectin, or purified polygalacturonic acid and cellulose, did not retain polyphenols and showed very low antioxidant or antiproliferative activities. These findings suggest that interactions between polyphenols and the food matrix may be more complex than a simple association and may play an important role in the bioefficacy of blueberry polyphenols.

베리류 에탄올 추출물의 항산화 활성

*Research Center of Ben’s Lab Co., Ltd., Hwasung 445-743, Korea.**Department of Life Science, The University of Suwon, Hwasung 445-743, Korea.ABSTRACT : Edible berries are rich in anthocyanins and phenolic acids, compounds that possess antioxidant, anti-inflam-matory, and other biological activities. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of five berries including acaiberry(Euterpe oleracea Mart.), Aronia/black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), black cur-rant (Ribes nigrum L.), and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) were assessed. The Aronia G (prepared by GreenField s.c.)exhibited the highest antioxidant activities as shown in total phenolic (138.81㎎ CAE/g), flavonoid (3.68㎎ QE/g), andanthocyanin (20.31㎎/g) contents compared to the other berries. It also showed the strongest scavenging activities such asDPPH (69.69 ㎎ vitamin C/g) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (757.79 µmol trolox/g). Aronia G exhibited strong ferricreducing antioxidant power (553.98µmol vitamin C/g), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (820.92µmol trolox/g). Inaddition, black currant and Aronia showed stronger inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulatedRAW 264.7 cell than the other berries. According to the above results, the Aronia and other edible berries have notably highlevel of antioxidant activities and they could be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants.Key Words : Berry, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Acaiberry, Aronia, Black Chokeberry, Blueberry, Black Currant, Cranberry

High rates of parasitism of blueberry spanworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) by Ichneumonidae and Tachinidae in commercial lowbush blueberry fields

Blueberry spanworm, Itame (Macaria) argillacearia Packard, is an important defoliator of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton), a major crop in eastern Canada. In the summer of 2012, we collected a large number of blueberry spanworm larvae from two managed blueberry fields in Colchester Co., Nova Scotia. Approximately 50–60 % of the field-collected larvae maintained in the laboratory were parasitized and killed. Identifications of parasitoids were based on morphological characters and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequencing. The majority of parasitism was by Phryxe pecosensis (Diptera: Tachinidae), and a wasp suspected to be a new species of Tranosemella or Tranosema (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Our results demonstrate that parasitism of blueberry spanworm can be high in lowbush blueberry and that conservation or augmentative biological control should be considered in future development of management programs for this pest.

How are your berries? Perspectives of Alaska's environmental managers on trends in wild berry abundance

BackgroundWild berries are a valued traditional food in Alaska. Phytochemicals in wild berries may contribute to the prevention of vascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline, making berry consumption important to community health in rural areas. Little was known regarding which species of berries were important to Alaskan communities, the number of species typically picked in communities and whether recent environmental change has affected berry abundance or quality.ObjectiveTo identify species of wild berries that were consumed by people in different ecological regions of Alaska and to determine if perceived berry abundance was changing for some species or in some regions.DesignWe asked tribal environmental managers throughout Alaska for their views on which among 12 types of wild berries were important to their communities and whether berry harvests over the past decade were different than in previous years. We received responses from 96 individuals in 73 communities.ResultsBerries that were considered very important to communities differed among ecological regions of Alaska. Low-bush blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum and V. caespitosum), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) were most frequently identified as very important berries for communities in the boreal, polar and maritime ecoregions, respectively. For 7 of the 12 berries on the survey, a majority of respondents indicated that in the past decade abundance had either declined or become more variable.ConclusionsOur study is an example of how environmental managers and participants in local observer networks can report on the status of wild resources in rural Alaska. Their observations suggest that there have been changes in the productivity of some wild berries in the past decade, resulting in greater uncertainty among communities regarding the security of berry harvests. Monitoring and experimental studies are needed to determine how environmental change may affect berry abundance.

Pre- and post-vernalization ramet removal reduces flowering of red sorrel (Rumex acetosellaL.) in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifoliumAit.)

White, S. N., Boyd, N. S., Van Acker, R. C. and Swanton, C. J. 2015. Pre- and post-vernalization ramet removal reduces flowering of red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 549–556. Red sorrel is a common, ramet-producing herbaceous creeping perennial species in wild blueberry fields. Flowering and seed production occur primarily in overwintering ramets in Nova Scotia, Canada, and growers may therefore be able to adopt fairly simple management strategies to reduce or prevent flowering and seed production in this species. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of pre- and post-vernalization ramet removal on red sorrel flowering ramet density under both controlled and field conditions. Under controlled conditions in a growth facility, ramet populations were subject to pre- and post-vernalization clipping treatments to simulate late autumn and early spring ramet removal. Under field conditions, pre- and post-vernalization ra...

Anthocyanins and phenolic acids from a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) powder counteract lipid accumulation in THP-1-derived macrophages.

Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins (ACNs) and phenolic acids (PA), which are hypothesized to protect against development of atherosclerosis. The present study examined the effect of an ACN- and PA-rich fractions, obtained from a wild blueberry powder, on the capacity to counteract lipid accumulation in macrophages derived from monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, we tested the capacity of pure ACNs and their metabolites to alter lipid accumulation. THP-1-derived macrophages were incubated with fatty acids (500 μM oleic/palmitic acid, 2:1 ratio) and different concentrations (from 0.05 to 10 μg mL(-1)) of ACN- and PA-rich fractions, pure ACN standards (malvidin, delphinidin and cyanidin 3-glucoside), and metabolites (syringic, gallic and protocatechuic acids). Lipid accumulation was quantified with the fluorescent dye Nile red. Lipid accumulation was reduced at all concentrations of the ACN-rich fraction tested with a maximum reduction at 10 μg mL(-1) (-27.4%; p < 0.0001). The PA-rich fraction significantly reduced the lipid accumulation only at the low concentrations from 0.05 µg mL(-1) to 0.3 µg mL(-1), with respect to the control with fatty acids. Supplementation with pure ACN compounds (malvidin and delphinidin-3-glucoside and its metabolic products (syringic and gallic acid)) reduced lipid accumulation especially at the low concentrations, while no significant effect was observed after cyanidin-3-glucoside and protocatechuic acid supplementation. The results demonstrated a potential role of both the ACN- and PA-rich fractions and single compounds in the lipid accumulation also at concentrations close to that achievable in vivo.

Studies on the flowering biology of red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) ramets from lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) fields in Nova Scotia, Canada

Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) is a ramet-producing herbaceous creeping perennial species commonly found as a weed in commercially managed lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) fields in Nova Scotia, Canada. Flowering and seed production occur primarily in overwintering ramets of this species, indicating a potential vernalization requirement for flowering. This study was therefore initiated to examine the role of vernalization, photoperiod, and pre-vernalization stimulus on ramet flowering. Red sorrel ramets propagated from creeping roots and seeds collected from established red sorrel populations in lowbush blueberry had an obligate requirement for vernalization to flower. Ramet populations maintained under pre- and post-vernalization photoperiods of 16 h flowered following 12 weeks of vernalization at 4 ± 0.1 °C, whereas those maintained under constant 16, 14, or 8 h photoperiods without vernalization did not flower. Vernalization for 10 weeks maximized, but did not saturate, the flowering response. Pre-vernalization photoperiod affected flowering response, with increased flowering frequency observed in ramet populations exposed to decreasing, rather than constant, photoperiod prior to vernalization. This study represents the first attempt to determine the combined effects of vernalization and photoperiod on red sorrel flowering, and the results provide a benchmark for the future study of flowering and sexual reproduction in this economically important perennial weed species.

Phenolic acids of the two major blueberry species in the US Market and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Highbush (cultivated) and lowbush (wild) are the two major blueberry species in the US market. Eight phenolic acids were detected and quantified from these two species by HPLC-MS. Chlorogenic acid was found to be the predominant phenolic acid in both species, with 0.44 mg/g fresh weight in lowbush blueberries and 0.13 mg/g fresh weight in highbush blueberries. Total phenolic content in lowbush blueberries is over three times higher than that of highbush blueberries. The phenolic acid mixtures representing those in the two species were prepared by using authentic standards to assess their contribution to total antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the whole berries. Neither lowbush nor highbush blueberry phenolic acid mixture contributed significantly to the total antioxidant capacity of their relevant whole berries measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Both phenolic acid mixtures were able to enter the cell and showed in cell antioxidant activities from the cell based antioxidant protection of erythrocytes (CAP-e) assay. Lowbush blueberry phenolic acid mixture was found to show anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) at the high dose.