Phenolic Compounds In Berries Research Articles

Phenolic Compounds in Berries of Winter-Resistant Actinidia arguta Miq. and Actinidia kolomikta Maxim.: Evidence of Antioxidative Activity.

Variations between fruit cultivars can significantly impact their biochemical composition. The present research examined the variability in the qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic compounds in berry extracts of Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia arguta cultivars. Additionally, antioxidant activities of berry extracts were evaluated. The total phenolic, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin contents and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined using the appropriate methodologies. The average amount of phenolic compounds in A. kolomikta berries (177.80 mg/g) was three times higher than that of A. arguta (54.45 mg/g). Our findings revealed that berries of A. kolomikta and A. arguta accumulated, on average, 1.58 RE/g DW (rutin equivalent/g dry weight) and 0.615 mg RE/g DW of total flavonoids, 1439.31 mg EE/g DW (epicatechin equivalent/g dry weight) and 439.97 mg EE/g DW of proanthocyanidins, and 23.51 mg CAE/g DW (chlorogenic acid equivalent/g dry weight) and 5.65 mg CAE/g DW of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, respectively. The cultivars of both species were characterized by higher antioxidant activity of total phenolic compounds determined using CUPRAC and FRAP methods compared to the ABTS•+ method. The variability in phenolic compounds' qualitative and quantitative content in tested berry extracts was evaluated by applying ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem with electrospray ionization. Significant intraspecific differences in the amounts of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid compounds, proanthocyanidins, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined among cultivars. Four phenolic acids, eight flavonols, two flavones, and five flavon-3-ols were identified in the berry extracts.

Phytonutrients of bilberry fruit and saskatoon berry in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

The epidemiologic studies from the recent years indicate that high consumption of foods rich in bioactive compounds has a positive effect on human health and could diminish the risk of numerous diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cataracts, and even diseases related to age. From all species of fruit, definitely consumption of berries due to its high content of bioactive constituents prevents the risk of cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress and diabetes. The primary phenolic compounds in berries are flavonoids, particularly the anthocyanins. They have potential preventative and therapeutic effects on many diseases such as cancers, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative pathologies, and muscular degeneration. Bilberry fruits have been an important part of local diets in many countries, including Slovakia. They are valued for their pleasant taste and aroma and are often processed into jams, preserves, juices, and alcoholic beverages. In the last two decades, the Saskatoon berry has been cultivated in many parts of the world for its suitability for various food products and due to its high content of nutrients and polyphenols. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world's leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Dyslipidemia, which results from one or more abnormalities of blood lipids metabolism, remains a major key factor for progression of CVD and leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of this review is to compare and summarize the research evidence on the potential of bilberries and saskatoon berries with an emphasis on recent studies in humans in improving cardiovascular risk factors especially dyslipidemia.

Berries and Leaves of Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.: A Source of Phenolic Compounds.

Berries of Actinidia kolomikta (A. kolomikta) are known for high ascorbic acid content, but the diversity of phenolic compounds has been little studied. The present research aimed to investigate phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in berries and leaves of twelve A. kolomikta cultivars. The UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS technique was used to determine differences among cultivars in the quantitative composition of individual phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH• free radical scavenging and CUPRAC methods. In the present study, 13 phenolic compounds were detected in berries, whereas leaves contained 17 phenolic compounds. Flavonols were the primary class found in both berries and leaves; other identified phenolic compounds were flavan-3-ols, flavones and, phenolic acids; and dihydrochalcone phloridzin was identified in the leaves. The amount and variety of phenolic compounds in berries and leaves and antioxidant activity were found to be cultivar-dependent. The highest total content of phenolic compounds was found in the leaves of the cultivar ‘Aromatnaja’ and in the berries of the cultivar ‘VIR-2’. Results of this study have confirmed that berries and leaves of A. kolomikta could be a valuable raw material for both food and pharmaceutical industries.

Berry Quality of Grapevine under Water Stress as Affected by Rootstock–Scion Interactions through Gene Expression Regulation

Despite phenotypic plasticity that allows the adaptation to harsh environments, when vines experience severe abiotic stresses, they can suffer from metabolic damages affecting grape production and quality. Grafting is an affordable strategy to mitigate these negative consequences since the rootstock can increase the drought tolerance in the scion. This work explored the effects of pre-veraison water deficit on vines grafted on different rootstocks (Mgt 101-14 and 1103 Paulsen) to obtain physiological, biochemical, and molecular information about the influence on grape quality. Repeated measurements were carried out to assess vine physiology, production, technological maturity, and berry phenolic composition. qRT-PCRs were executed on berry skins at maturity to assess the expression levels of ten genes and five miRNAs involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Water stress caused significant alterations in grape technological maturity. The rootstock effect was not detected in primary metabolism while it was well defined in the accumulation of phenolic compounds in berries (such as anthocyanins). Finally, significant differences were identified in gene and miRNA expression between water-stressed and well-watered vines. In conclusion, the response to water stress can be modulated by rootstocks, which mainly act by regulating secondary metabolism, especially in grapes.

Determination of Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity in Berries Using Amperometric Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

In this contribution, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was determined in various berries using carbon paste tyrosinase biosensor with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), coated with Nafion® layer. Electrochemical behaviour of the biosensor and influence of MWCNTs on carbon paste surface were studied with respect to the sensitive amperometric detection of total content of phenolic compounds in berries, expressed as concentration equivalent of Trolox. After optimization of key instrumental and electroanalytical parameters, the biosensor was used for determination of TEAC in blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries by method of multiple standard additions. Electrochemical TEAC assays corresponded well with results obtained by spectrophotometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical method, known as DPPH assay. Obtained values were compared with those listed in the National Nutrient Database for additional antioxidant capacity assays as well.

Seasonal changes in amino acids and phenolic compounds in fruits from hybrid cross populations of American grapes differing in disease resistance

The production of wine grapes in upstate New York (USA) is limited by diseases that are promoted by the cool and sometimes rainy climate. A breeding program has been introducing disease resistance from related species into the cultivated stock. Previous work has indicated that such resistance may be based on biochemical reactions rather than on a hypersensitive reaction. We therefore undertook metabolic profiling of amino acids and phenolic compounds in berries from collections of susceptible and resistant hybrids over the course of berry development to determine whether any of these compounds could be causal in disease resistance. The most abundant amino acids were GLN, ARG, PRO and THR. The amount of amino acids in ripe berries was from 3 to 4.7-fold higher compared to earlier stages. The concentrations of total phenolics were variable through the season with no consistent trend between susceptible and resistant fruits. Notable changes in phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, were recorded, especially during the ripening phase, when phenolics and anthocyanins increased following veraison. The most abundant phenolic compounds were catechin and epi-catechin; the most abundant anthocyanin was delphinidin-3-glucoside, which had a slightly greater concentration in resistant fruit at harvest, followed by malvidin-3-glucoside and petunidin-3-glucoside. The content of both amino acids and phenolic compounds in white-fruited parent cv. Horizon was equal to several-fold lower than the progeny plants, whether susceptible or resistant, depending on the harvest time. While no major differences between susceptible and resistant lines were found, multivariate analyses showed that it is possible to discriminate the susceptibility or resistance of grapes by analyzing their combined concentrations of amino acids, polyphenols and anthocyanins. Therefore, these compounds are influenced by the resistance capacity of grapes and could be used as a chemical fingerprint of this ability. However, it is likely that these are associations with disease resistance rather than their cause as no major consistent differences were noted.

Modeling of the evolution of phenolic compounds in berries of “Italia” table grape cultivar using response surface methodology

The aim of this work was to determine the phenolic profile of Vitis vinifera L. cv. “Italia” table grapes during ripening, as influenced by the harvest date and berry heterogeneity. The results showed that this cultivar is rich in phenolic compounds with health-promoting properties, particularly at early harvest stage (341 and 178mg/kg berries of total phenols in the skin and pulp, respectively). Caftaric acid was the most abundant compound in the skin (28.95–51.93mg/kg), while p-coumaroyl-glucose was the highest in the pulp (6.39–17.18mg/kg). Low levels of resveratrol (0.11–0.29mg/kg) were found in the skin starting from day 14 of the harvest. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to model the evolution of phenolic compounds in berries during ripening. The regression models were highly significant for protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin and t-resveratrol in the skin, and total hydroxycinnamoyl tartaric acids in the pulp (R≥0.80). This modeling could be a tool that would permit better exploitation of maximum accumulation of phenolic compounds in the vineyard by selecting the most suitable combination of sampling date and berry density. An adequate sampling strategy could be implemented to increase the content of specific bioactive phenolic compounds according to consumer preference, thus promoting the health-promoting quality of fresh table grapes and ready-to-eat fruit salads.

Phenolic compounds in berries and flowers of a natural hybrid between bilberry and lingonberry ( Vaccinium × intermedium Ruthe)

Hybridization between species plays an important role in the evolution of secondary metabolites and in the formation of combinations of existing secondary metabolites in plants. We have investigated the content of phenolic compounds in berries and flowers of Vaccinium × intermedium Ruthe, which is a rare natural hybrid between bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.). The berries and flowers of the hybrid showed characteristics inherited from both parent species in the distribution and contents of phenolic compounds. Bilberry is known as one of the richest sources of anthocyanins and to have a profile of 15 major forms combining cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin with galactose, glucose and arabinose. Lingonberry contains only cyanidin glycosides. Hybrid berries contained all bilberry anthocyanins with pronounced cyanidin content. With regard to proanthocyanidins and flavonol glycosides, the hybrid inherited diverse profiles combining those of both parental species. The distribution of hydroxycinnamic acids was quite uniform in all studied berries. Of the identified compounds, 30 were detected in lingonberry, 46 in bilberry, 53 in hybrid berries and 38 in hybrid flowers. Hence, compared with the parent species, hybrid berries possess a more diverse profile of phenolic compounds and, therefore, can offer interesting material for breeding purposes.

Comparison of anthocyanins and phenolics in organically and conventionally grown blueberries in selected cultivars

Consumption of berries has become popular among health-conscious consumers due to the high levels of valuable antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds in berries. Four Rabbiteye blueberry cultivars (i.e., Powderblue, Climax, Tifblue, and Woodward) grown organically and conventionally were compared regarding their chemical profiles and antioxidant capacity in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and ORAC activity. Regardless of the high TPC, TAC and ORAC in both organically and conventionally grown blueberries, not all the organic berries showed significantly higher TPC, TAC and ORAC than the conventional berries. The chemical profiles (i.e., the free phenolic compounds and anthocyanins) were determined with aid of HPLC-MS, by which 13 individual anthocyanins and seven free phenolics were identified. This study demonstrated the subtle differences of bioactive phytochemicals between the organically and conventionally grown berries.

Steam-Blanched Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Juice: Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity in Relation to Cultivar Selection

High-quality standards in blueberry juice can be obtained only taking into account fruit compositional variability and its preservation along the processing chain. In this work, five highbush blueberry cultivars from the same environmental growing conditions were individually processed into juice after an initial blanching step and the influence was studied of the cultivar on juice phenolic content, distribution and relative antioxidant activity, measured as scavenging capacity on the artificial free-radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*). A chromatographic protocol was developed to separate all main phenolic compounds in berries. A total of 15 glycosylated anthocyanins, catechin, galactoside, glucoside, and rhamnoside quercetin 3-derivatives, and main benzoic and cinnamic acids were identified. The total content and relative distribution in anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin of each juice were dependent upon cultivar, and the total content was highly correlated (rxy=0.97) to the antioxidant capacity. A selective protective effect of berry blanching in juice processing can be observed on more labile anthocyanin compounds.

Bioactive Compounds in small Fruits and their Influence on Human Health

ABSTRACTThe international tendency for growing and production of small fruits shows a permanent increasing. Bulgaria is a traditional important producer of small berries in Europe. A large variety of small fruit products are wide spread and typical for Bulgarian nutriment. Aside with the growing demand in production of small fruit, there is an obvious tendency in food quality, breeding and technology requirements improvement. Breeding purposes comprise improvement of many traits, but selection of disease resistant cultivars, with higher yield and improved consumers properties such as fruit color, shape, smell and transportation ability are among the most important tasks.Recent progress in molecular analyses and agriculture biotechnologies has enormous impact on selection, technology, testing, preservation and processing of agricultural products. Metabolomics assay as a new dimension in these studies and practice focuses the attention on the biochemical contents of cells and tissues, and has a rapidly growing significance in knowledge of small fruits value for human health.Berry fruits are very rich sources of bioactive compounds as phenolics and organic acid. Bioactive berry compounds, their characterization and utilization in functional foods and clinical assessment of antimicrobial properties for human health are among the major targets of contemporary research. Phenolic compounds in berries inhibit the growth of range of human pathogens. Especially raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, crowberries showed evidence of antimicrobial effects against bacterial pathogens as Salmonella and Staphylococcus.The evaluation of small fruit genetic resources for the presence of bioactive compounds and their properties as natural agents is of doubtless significance and will be with great benefit for breeders, food and pharmaceutical industry.

Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect of berry phenolics – a Finnish perspective

In Finland, berries are part of the traditional diet significantly contributing to the intake of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. Compositional data on phenolic compounds in berries has been rapidly accumulating and included in the national food composition database. Among the different bioactive substances in berries, phenolic compounds including flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids have received considerable interest due to their effects in food and health. A great amount of in vitro evidence exists showing that berry phenolics are powerful antioxidants. However, the antioxidant effect of berry phenolics is strongly dependent on the choice of berry raw material, as the antioxidant activity differs between the different phenolic constituents, including anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and proanthocyanidins. In foods, the antioxidant effect is also influenced by the structure of food. Tannin-containing berries exhibit antimicrobial properties against pathogenic bacteria, thus offering many new applications for food industry. Much of the interest in berry phenolics has focused on cranberries and both cultivated and wild blueberries, although also other berries including black currants, cloudberries, lingonberries, and red raspberries possess promising bioactivities that may have relevance to human health. Antioxidant activity of berry phenolics, in addition to other mechanisms, may contribute to human health, but the possible relationship remains yet to be scientifically substantiated.

Protein-lipid interactions during oxidation of liposomes

Oxidation of bovine serum albumin and its interaction with phenolic red raspberry and bilberry extracts (4.2 and 8.4 μg/ml) was investigated in a liposome system. Samples were incubated in the dark at 37°C with copper, and the extent of oxidation was measured by determing the loss of tryptophan fluorescence and the formation of protein carbonyls, conjugated diene hydroperoxides and hexanal. Both red raspberry and bilberry extracts inhibited lipid and protein oxidation. Red raspberry extract in 4.2 μg/ml concentration was the best inhibitor against both lipid and protein oxidation. In conclusion, oxidative deterioration due to protein-lipid oxidation is inhibited by phenolic compounds in berries.

VARIATION IN FLAVONOL CONTENT AMONG BERRY CULTIVARS GROWN UNDER NORTHERN CONDITIONS

Flavonoids are a large group of over 4000 secondary plant products, comprising anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanones and catechins. Flavonoids are known to act as protective compounds possessing antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity in foods. An HPLC-based method was used to analyze the content of flavonols in strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant cultivars grown under northern conditions. Blackcurrants contained about ten times more flavonols than strawberries and raspberries. Quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin were all found in blackcurrants. In strawberries, quercetin and kaempferol, and in raspberries only quercetin was found. High variability in flavonol contents among strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant cultivars was observed. High variation was also found in flavonol and total phenolic contents in various blackcurrant juices. Analyses of flavonol contents from strawberries and blackcurrant cultivars grown organically or conventionally revealed no significant differences. Genotype seems to be a more important factor than cultivation technique in the accumulation of phenolic compounds in berries. The high variability among berry cultivars offers possibilities to enhance the value of berry production by plant breeding and growing cultivars rich in flavonols.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of phenolic compounds in berries with diode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (MS) detection: ribes species.

High-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (MS) detection was used to study phenolic compounds in berries of black, green, red, and white currants (Ribes spp.). UV-visible spectrometry was a valuable tool for the identification of the class of the phenolic compound, whereas MS and MS-MS fragmentation data were useful for further structural characterization. Distinct similarities were found in the relative distribution of conjugated forms of phenolic compounds among the four currants. Phenolic acids were found mainly as hexose esters. Flavonol glycosides and anthocyanin pigments were mainly found as 3-O-rutinosides and second as 3-O-glucosides. However, cyanidin 3-O-sambubioside and quercetin hexoside-malonate were notable phenolic compounds in red currant. Flavonol hexoside-malonates were identified and quantified in the berries of currants for the first time.

Phenolic compounds in berries of black, red, green, and white currants (Ribes sp.).

Multiple health benefits associated with phenolic compounds have raised the interest in the contents of these plant metabolites in foods. Several phenolic compounds were quantified from berries of Ribes nigrum (black and green currants) and Ribes x pallidum (red and white currants), by using sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and methanol and an optimized reversed-phase HPLC method with diode array detection. The highest contents of anthocyanins (3,011 mg/kg fresh weight, expressed as the aglycon) and flavonol glycosides (100 mg/kg) were found in black currant. The lack of anthocyanins in the colorless (green, white) berries was associated with increased levels of phenolic acids, especially p-coumaric acid (80 mg/kg in green currant vs. 45 mg/kg in black currant) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (18 mg/kg in white currant vs. 3 mg/kg in red currant). Previously, proanthocyanidins have not been quantified from berries. This study showed that the contents of extractable (22-41 mg/kg) and nonextractable proanthocyanidins (32-108 mg/kg) are comparable to those of other phenolics, with the exception of anthocyanins in black currant. Our results suggest that anthocyanins dominate in black and red currants, whereas proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids are the predominant phenolic compounds in green and white currants.