Vaccinium Floribundum Research Articles

Exploring the Multifaceted Biological Activities of Anthocyanins Isolated from Two Andean Berries.

Natural pigments extracted from plant species are used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study evaluates the comprehensive biological activities of anthocyanins isolated from Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) and Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth), focusing on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and hemolytic properties. Chemical characterization revealed significant anthocyanin content with complex mass spectrometric profiles indicating diverse glycosylation patterns that may influence their bioactivity. The antimicrobial assays showed that the extracts were particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1 mg/mL for Rubus glaucus, indicating strong potential for therapeutic use. The antioxidant capacity of the berries was substantial, albeit slightly lower than that of ascorbic acid. The extracts also exhibited notable antitumoral activity in various cancer cell lines, showing promise as adjunctive or preventive treatments. The anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed by inhibiting nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, highlighting their potential in managing inflammatory diseases. In terms of hemolytic activity, Rubus glaucus exhibited dose-dependent effects, potentially attributable to anthocyanins and phenolics, while Vaccinium floribundum demonstrated no significant hemolytic activity, underscoring its safety. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from Andean berries possess potent biological activities, which could be leveraged for health benefits in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are needed to isolate specific bioactive compounds and investigate their synergistic effects in clinical and real-world contexts.

Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of a beverage based on jamaica flower (Jamaica sabdariffa) enriched with mulberry (Vaccinium floribundum) and blackberry (Rubus glaucus)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of a Jamaica flower-based drink enriched with mulberry and blackberry, for which it was proposed to study two factors: the concentration of Jamaica flower for the infusion and the percentage used of blackberry and mulberry. Treatment 9 made with 5% Jamaica flower and 95% water; 75% mulberry and 25% blackberry and treatment 8 made with 5% Jamaica flower and 95% water; 59% mulberry and 50% blackberry did not differ statistically in the sensory tests, obtaining the highest acceptance by the panel. The content of phenols analysis showed a result of 89.5 mg/L; while the antioxidant capacity presented 1732 mg EAG/L. Based on the results obtained in the microbiological analysis, the absence of pathogens (yeast, mold and mesophilic aerobes) was evidenced at 0, 15 and 30 days of storage, which implies that the drink will have a useful life of at least 30 days.

Genome report: First reference genome of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, an emblematic Andean species.

Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, known as "mortiño," is an endemic shrub species of the Andean region adapted to harsh conditions in high-altitude ecosystems. It plays an important ecological role as a pioneer species in the aftermath of deforestation and human-induced fires within paramo ecosystems, emphasizing its conservation value. While previous studies have offered insights into the genetic diversity of mortiño, comprehensive genomic studies are still missing to fully understand the unique adaptations of this species and its population status, highlighting the importance of generating a reference genome for this plant. ONT and Illumina sequencing were used to establish a reference genome for this species. Three different de novo genome assemblies were generated and compared for quality, continuity and completeness. The Flye assembly was selected as the best and refined by filtering out short ONT reads, screening for contaminants and genome scaffolding. The final assembly has a genome size of 529 Mb, containing 1,317 contigs and 97% complete BUSCOs, indicating a high level of integrity of the genome. Additionally, the LTR Assembly Index of 12.93 further categorizes this assembly as a reference genome. The genome of V. floribundum reported in this study is the first reference genome generated for this species, providing a valuable tool for further studies. This high-quality genome, based on the quality and completeness parameters obtained, will not only help uncover the genetic mechanisms responsible for its unique traits and adaptations to high-altitude ecosystems but will also contribute to conservation strategies for a species endemic to the Andes.

Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of native Ecuadorian fruits: Rubus glabratus Kunth, Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, and Opuntia soederstromiana

The native berries of South America present promising marketing opportunities owing to their high antioxidant content, notably rich in anthocyanin and phenolic compounds. However, Ecuador's endemic fruits, primarily found in the wild, lack comprehensive data regarding their phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity, underscoring the need for research in this area. Accordingly, this study evaluated the total phenolic, anthocyanin, flavonoid, resveratrol, ascorbic acid, citric acid, sugars, and antioxidant content of three native Ecuadorian fruits: mora de monte (Rubus glabratus Kunth), mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), and tuna de monte (Opuntia soederstromiana). Determination of resveratrol, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and sugars was determined by HPLC analysis, and UPLC analysis was used to determine tentative metabolites with nutraceutical properties. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using cyclic voltammetry and the DPPH method; differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate antioxidant power. Analysis of results through UPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry indicated that R. glabratus Kunth and V. floribundum Kunth are important sources of various compounds with potential health-promoting functions in the body. The DPPH results showed the following antioxidant capacities for the three fruits: R. glabratus Kunth >O. soederstromiana >V. floribundum Kunth; this trend was consistent with the antioxidant capacity results determined using the electrochemical methods.

Complete genome sequence of vaccinium-associated virus C, a new member of the family Totiviridae from Vaccinium floribundum.

Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are a major crop grown in the Pacific Northwest region. Currently, there are at least 17 known viruses that infect blueberry plants, and some of them cause a wide range of symptoms and economic losses. A new virus, vaccinium-associated virus C (VaVC) (family Totiviridae, genus Totivirus) was identified in an imported blueberry accession from the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon. The complete genomic sequence of VaVC was determined, but the biological significance of VaVC is unknown and requires further study. Additional Vacciniumsp. accessions should be screened to investigate the incidence of this new virus.

The First Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) and Comparative Analyses with Other Vaccinium Species

Vaccinium floribundum, commonly known as mortiño, is a native high Andean wild species of cultural and economic importance. Genomic resources for V. floribundum are scarce, and a clear phylogenetic and evolutionary history for this species has yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to assemble the complete chloroplast genome sequence of this species and perform an in-depth comparative analysis with other Vaccinium species. The chloroplast genome of V. floribundum was obtained using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). The de novo assembly of the chloroplast genome of V. floribundum resulted in a 187,966 bp sequence, which contained 134 genes (84 Protein Coding Genes (PCGs), 42 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes). The comparative analysis of the V. floribundum chloroplast genome with other nine chloroplast genomes of the Vaccinium species suggested that a contraction/expansion event of the inverted repeat (IR) regions could have occurred, causing the relocation of psbA and rpl32 genes. Additionally, a possible loss of function of the ndhF gene was found. For the phylogenetic analysis based on 87 genes, the chloroplast genome of 19 species (including V. floribundum) was used and revealed that V. myrtillus could be a sister group of V. floribundum. Altogether, our findings provide insights into the plastome characteristics and the phylogeny of V. floribundum. This study describes the complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. floribundum as the first genomic resource available for an Andean species native to Ecuador.

Untangling the Effects of Plant Genotype and Soil Conditions on the Assembly of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in the Rhizosphere of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

Microbial communities in the rhizosphere influence nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance. How abiotic and biotic factors impact the plant microbiome in the wild has not been thoroughly addressed. We studied how plant genotype and soil affect the rhizosphere microbiome of Vaccinium floribundum, an endemic species of the Andean region that has not been domesticated or cultivated. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA and ITS region, we characterized 39 rhizosphere samples of V. floribundum from four plant genetic clusters in two soil regions from the Ecuadorian Highlands. Our results showed that Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the most abundant bacterial phyla and that fungal communities were not dominated by any specific taxa. Soil region was the main predictor for bacterial alpha diversity, phosphorous and lead being the most interesting edaphic factors explaining this diversity. The interaction of plant genotype and altitude was the most significant factor associated with fungal diversity. This study highlights how different factors govern the assembly of the rhizosphere microbiome of a wild plant. Bacterial communities depend more on the soil and its mineral content, while plant genetics influence the fungal community makeup. Our work illustrates plant-microbe associations and the drivers of their variation in a unique unexplored ecosystem from the Ecuadorian Andes.

Untangling the Effects of Plant Genotype and Soil Conditions on the Assembly of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in the Rhizosphere of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

Untangling the Effects of Plant Genotype and Soil Conditions on the Assembly of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in the Rhizosphere of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

Influence of Altitudes and Development Stages on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth).

The chemical composition and biological capacities of berries depend on environmental parameters, maturity, and location. The Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), also known as mortiño, presents a unique combination of several phytochemicals, which play a synergistic role in its characterization as a functional food. We aimed to expose the possible variations that exist in the profile of the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of the wild Andean blueberry with respect to three ripeness stages and two different altitudes. We found that polyphenols are the predominant compounds in the berry during the early ripeness stage and are the main bioactive compounds that give rise to the antioxidant capacity and inhibition effect on the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the accumulation of ascorbic acid, free amino acids, and anthocyanins increases as the ripening process progresses, and they were the main bioactive compounds in the ripe berry. The latter compounds influence the production of the typical bluish or reddish coloration of ripe blueberries. In addition, it was determined that environmental conditions at high altitudes could have a positive influence in all cases. Overall, our data provide evidence regarding the high functional value of the wild Andean blueberry.

Chemical Composition and Polyphenol Compounds of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth (Ericaceae) from the Volcano Chimborazo Paramo (Ecuador)

Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) is considered a “superfruit” due to its antioxidant capacity and possible health benefits. To date, there is no known study that addresses the biochemical characterization of mortiño berries from the paramo of the Chimborazo volcano (Ecuador). So, the aim of this research was to evaluate for the first time the effect of the stage of development of the mortiño berries (two stages) and environment of origin (three sampling areas) on fruit quality. Polyphenol compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MSn) and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Moreover, antioxidant properties (ABTS•+, and DPPH), sugar and organic acids, and minerals were examined. The main organic acids were quinic and citric acid, while glucose, fructose, sucrose, mannose, and sorbitol were the main sugars determined in the mortiño fruits. The main constituents of the mortiño berries included hydroxycinnamic acids (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid), flavonols (quercetin 3-hexoside, quercetin 5-hexoside, quercetin 3-pentoside, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside) and anthocyanins. Seven anthocyanins were identified: glycosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin, and pelargonidin. The research confirms that the mortiño berries produced in the Ecuadorian paramo area are a valuable source of polyphenolics, rich in sugars and organic acids, and can be classified as a good source of microelements.

Morphological in situ Characterization of Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) in the Andes of Ecuador

Vaccinium is one of the largest in the Ericaceae family, distributed worldwide. Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) is an Andean fruit threatened by agriculture, livestock, and forestry activities, causing genetic erosion. The importance of the mortiño fruit is also because of its nutritional composition due to its high content of functional compounds in comparison to other Andean fruits. The characterization of a species allows scientists to estimate the population’s genome variability. The morphological characterization reveals important distinctive morphological features, some of which will promote the species’ commercial value. This study aims to apply morphological and agronomic descriptors to mortiño in situ in the paramos of Ecuador. Three locations in three different provinces of the Ecuadorian highlands were selected: San Pablo in Imbabura, Atacazo in Pichincha, and Quilotoa in Cotopaxi, all located between 3200 and 4050 masl. Forty-two descriptors were registered in 15 mortiño populations, of which 16 were quantitative and 26 qualitative. The results demonstrated the existence of two morphological groups of mortiño, the first formed by populations in Imbabura and the second by those in Pichincha and Cotopaxi. The discriminating descriptors of the mortiño plants in the three locations were: the altitude of the site, total soluble solids, and acidity of the fruit, plant height, growth habit, and flower characteristics. The floral formula of the mortiño is K (5); C (5); A (7); G (3). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive morphological description of Andean Vacccinium floribundum.

Effect of Drying and Maturity on the Antioxidant Properties of the Blueberry (Vaccinium Floribundum Kurth) from the Ecuadorian Moorland and Sensory Evaluation of its Infusion

The mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) is characterized by its high content of polyphenols and anthocyanins, as well as high antioxidant activity. This research analyzed the effect of drying (convection drying and lyophilization) together with the degree of ripeness (50% and 100%) on the fruit’s antioxidant properties. Additionally, a sensory evaluation of an infusion prepared with the dried product was conducted. The treatment consisting of lyophilization and 100% ripeness had the highest values for polyphenols and anthocyanins, 4733.50 mg of gallic acid/100 g DW and 778.70 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside chloride / 100 g DW, respectively. The ascorbic acid content was highest in the treatment with lyophilization and 50% ripeness, with 69.50 mg / 100 g DW. The antioxidant activity for the treatments with 100% ripeness had similar results for convection drying and lyophilization, 87.28 and 88.62 mmol TE / kg DW, respectively. An infusion was made from the dried mortiño product and subjected to a sensory evaluation from a panel of tasters. The samples with 100% ripeness, regardless of the drying method, received a “Like very much” qualification for color, aroma, and taste attributes. Testing for antioxidant activity, it was found that between 2.5 to 3.5 % of the original antioxidant content is transferred to the infusion. The findings suggest that mortiño can be used in the preparation of an infusion with functional properties, creating an opportunity for the local communities of venturing into this crop for industrial purposes.

Reproductive phenology of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth (Ericaceae) and codification according to the BBCH scale based on evidence from the volcano Chimborazo paramo (Ecuador)

• Deforestation, land conversion and natural resources overexploitation endanger “mortiño”. • Mortiño reproductive phenology not shows chronological orderly progression in monitored areas. • Different reproductive stages (bud, flower and fruit) were even observed within same individuals. • Extreme climatic conditions of paramo imposed physiological limitations on mortiño phenology. Vaccinium floribundum Kunth (Ericaceae) is a native Andean species with shrubby habit and edible fruits. It is mostly distributed in the paramos of the Andes, from Venezuela to Bolivia, where it is commonly known as "mortiño". In this study, we describe the reproductive phenological growth stages of V. floribundum in the paramo of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador, using an adaptation of the BBCH scale system, and according to semi-monthly observations conducted in three localities from January 2017 to June 2018 (18 months). In addition, a linear regression analysis was performed to detect any potential influence of climatic parameters on the reproductive phenology of “mortiño”. Throughout the monitoring period, different stages of reproductive growth such as bud, flower and fruit were simultaneously found among individuals and, sometimes, even in the same plant. The reproductive phenology of sampled individuals from sites 1 and 2 (Mindala Loma and Polylepis, respectively) were relatively synchronized, whereas individuals from site 3 (Mechahuasca) showed a different phenological pattern. A significant, apparently quick, loss of flowers was evident in all localities during the study period. The patterns observed could reflect physiological constraints imposed by the extreme weather conditions of the paramo.

Caracterización y evaluación de colorantes de Monnina vargassi y Vaccinium floribundum por espectroscopia infrarroja FTIR-ATR y UV Visible

Polyphenols and anthocyanins have been determined in fresh native fruits of Vaccinium floribundum and Monnina vargassi, for which their pigments were extracted with 0.01% acidified methanol, filtered, concentrated, centrifuged, decanted and scored to a defined volume for later evaluation.The anthocyanin spectra were identified by FTIR-ATR and Visible UV spectroscopy and the content of total anthocyanins (CAT) was evaluated by the differential pH method, total polyphenols (PFT) by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, found in the Visible and UV spectra. FTIR - ATR strong absorption signals at different values of vibration frequencies (cm-1) that correspond to functional groups of anthocyanins. The highest value in CAT corresponds to the extract of alaybili and the lowest to the condorusa with 108.12 and 56.07 (mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside / 100 g of fresh weight) respectively. Similarly, the highest value in PFT corresponds to alaybili and the lowest to condorusa with 627.13 and 342.24 (mg of gallic acid / 100 g of fresh weight) respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the extracts of these fruits can be a source of functional foods as natural colorants in the food industry due to their high content of antioxidants. Keywords: Anthocyanins, Polyphenols, Antioxidants, Free Radicals, Flavonoids

Fermentation of Vaccinium floribundum Berries with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Reduces Oxidative Stress in Endothelial Cells and Modulates Macrophages Function.

Accumulating evidence suggests that high consumption of natural antioxidants promotes health by reducing oxidative stress and, thus, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, fermentation of natural compounds with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, enhances their beneficial properties as regulators of the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular system. We investigated the effects of fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of Pushgay berries (Vaccinium floribundum, Ericaceae family) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Polyphenol content was assayed by Folin–Ciocalteu and HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The effects of berries solutions on cell viability or proliferation were assessed by WST8 (2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, Trypan blue exclusion test, and Alamar blue assay. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by a cell-based chemiluminescent probe for the detection of intracellular H2O2 production in HUVECs. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression levels were investigated by RT-qPCR. Glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, as markers of intracellular antioxidant defense, were evaluated by spectrophotometric analysis. The immunomodulatory activity was examined in RAW 264.7 by quantification of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Tumor Necrosis Factor—alpha (TNFα) by RT-qPCR. Data showed that fermentation of Pushgay berries (i) enhances the content of quercetin aglycone, and (ii) increases their intracellular antioxidant activity, as indicated by the reduction in H2O2-induced cell death and the decrease in H2O2-induced HO-1 gene expression in HUVECs treated for 24 h with fermented berries solution (10 µg/mL). Moreover, treatment with Pushgay berries for 72 h (10 µg/mL) promotes cells growth in RAW 264.7, and only fermented Pushgay berries increase the expression of iNOS in the same cell line. Taken together, our results show that LAB fermentation of Pushgay berries enhances their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.

Detailed investigation of the composition and transformations of phenolic compounds in fresh and fermented Vaccinium floribundum berry extracts by high-resolution mass spectrometry and bioinformatics.

IntroductionBlueberries are known for their very high content of biologically active phenolic compounds; nonetheless, differently from the North American and European species of blueberries, Neotropical blueberries have not been extensively studied yet.ObjectivesIn the present paper, the phenolic composition of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, which is endemic to the Andean regions and grows 1,600 to 4,500 meters above sea level, was investigated by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HRMS). Native and fermented berries were compared in terms of phenolic composition as well as antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and total anthocyanin content.Materials and Methods V. floribundum native and fermented berries were extracted and analyzed by UHPLC‐HRMS. The acquired datasets were processed by Compound Discoverer 3.1 using a dedicated data analysis workflow that was specifically set up for phenolic compound identification.ResultsIn total, 309 compounds were tentatively identified, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and proanthocyanidins. The molecular transformations of phenolic compounds during fermentation were comprehensively investigated for the first time, and by a customized data processing workflow, 13 quinones and quinone methides were tentatively identified in the fermented samples. Compared to other species of the genus Vaccinium, a peculiar phenolic profile is observed, with low abundance of highly methylated compounds.ConclusionAndean berries are a rich source of a wide variety of phenolic compounds. Untargeted MS analyses coupled to a dedicated data processing workflow allowed expanding the current knowledge on these berries, improving our understanding of the fate of phenolic compounds after fermentation.

In vitro propagation ofVaccinium floribundumKunth from seeds: promissory technology for mortiño accelerated production

The Andean mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) grows wild in the northern paramos of South América. The berries present potential opportunities for agribusiness, but an efficient technology for the production of plants and berries is required. On the other hand, the development of plant production methods from mortiño seeds will allow the plants’ accessibility and its potential use in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient in vitro protocol for accelerated production using seeds. We carried out the research in four phases: seed germination, plant multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization in the greenhouse. For in vitro seed germination, we studied the effect of two culture media [woody plant medium (WPM) and Murashige and Skoog medium (MS], two photoperiods (16 and 24 hours of light), and two temperatures (18 and 28 °C). The best treatment was found to be WPM + 24 h light + 18 °C. In the micropropagation of seedlings, the effect of two concentrations of three cytokinines [(trans-zeatin riboside (TZR), zeatin (ZEA), and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP)], and two photoperiods (16 and 0 h light) was evaluated, whereby the concentration of 0.5 mg L−1of TZR was the best treatment. For rooting, two doses of three auxins [indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)] were evaluated, resulting in the 2 mg·L−1concentration of IBA giving the best root induction. Finally, the in vitro rooted plants were acclimatized in a greenhouse. We found that peat was the best substrate. These results show that the technology developed here is useful for in vitro production of V. floribundum using seeds.

Expression of the ANS, CHS and DFR genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Vaccinium floribundum Kunth from Ecuador, using RT-qPCR.

Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, a wild native species of berry in Ecuador, presents a lot of phenolic compounds, specifically anthocyanins; hence it is considered a natural nutraceutical due to all its nutritional properties. The comparison of the expression of genes is involved in the biosynthesis pathway of anthocyanin of several populations. The aim of the research was to analyze the expression levels of three genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in this species collected in two areas of the province of Pichincha: Machachi population of the Mejía canton, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 31′04.8 ″ S 78 ° 37′07.4 ″ W and altitude 3200 meters above sea level, and Pintag population of the Quito cantón, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 24′00.0 ″ S 78 ° 24′00.0 ″ W and altitude 3000 meters above sea level. The gene expression analysis was performed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique and reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). For the population of Machachi, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene had an average concentration of 648.59 ng/µL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 143.71 ng/µL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 59.58 ng/µL and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 39 ng/µL. For the population of Pintag, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene has an average concentration of 667.32 ng/µL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 157.22 ng/µL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 60.42 ng/µL, and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 44.40 ng/µL. Each gene has a similar expression level in both populations, but there are differences when comparing the expression level among genes. Many enzymes, structural genes, and regulatory elements have been observed as transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and phenolic compounds of pulp and bagasse of four Peruvian berries

Revaluing agri-food waste to offer consumers bioactive compounds for a healthy diet is an important issue. In the present work, the antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic compounds of pulp and bagasse of four Peruvian berries with UHPLC-DAD was determined. Elderberry (Sambucus peruviana Kunth) bagasse had a greater amount of TPC (4.87 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100 gfw) and AC (7.66 ± 0.04 and 7.51 ± 0.24 μmol TE/gfw in DPPH and ABTS, respectively) than the bagasse of the other berries, with a strong positive correlation between TPC and AC. Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) bagasse contains the highest amount of gallic acid (103.26 ± 1.59 μg/gfw), chlorogenic acid (1276.55 ± 1.86 μg/gfw), caffeic acid (144.46 ± 1.78 μg/gfw), epicatechin (1113.88 ± 1.82 μg/gfw) and p-coumaric acid (77.82 ± 1.92 μg/gfw). Elderberry (Sambucus peruviana Kunth) bagasse contains the highest amount of catechin (153.32 ± 0.79 μg/gfw). No significant differences were found in the content of chlorogenic acid and epicatechin of blackberry (Rubus roseus Poir). It was shown that the wastes of the four Amazonian berries have higher values of bioactive properties than their pulp, being the elderberry bagasse the one with the best properties.

Extraction of anthocyanins from Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) and determination of their antioxidant capacity

Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) is a wild Andean berry, with a high content of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins, with protective effects against various diseases due to their antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the best anthocyanin extraction conditions without affecting the mortiño antioxidant capacity. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 23 was applied in the extraction (solvent: ethanol and methanol; concentration: 20 and 60%; temperature: 30 and 60 °C). The anthocyanin content showed that the best extraction conditions were 20 and 60% hydroethanolic solution at 60 °C (P<0.05). For the antioxidant capacity, the treatments were analyzed in a factorial arrangement 22: ethanol and methanol 20%; 30 and 60 °C. The highest antioxidant capacity was found at 20% ethanol and 60 °C (19,653.3±256.62 µmol TE 100 g-1 FW (fresh weight)) by the FRAP method (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) (P<0.05), and with the ABTS methodology, methanol and ethanol (20%), at 60 °C (8458.3±127.45 and 8,258.0±325.05 µmol TE 100 g-1 FW, respectively) (P<0.05). Extraction at 60 °C did not affect the antioxidant properties of anthocyanins. A high correlation was found between both methodologies by Pearson’s Correlation (PC=0.898). In addition, the antioxidant capacity measured by the two methods was highly related to the anthocyanin content of the extracts (PC=0.973 and 0.952, respectively). Other berry species have been extensively investigated for their antioxidant compounds, but there is limited information about the optimization of anthocyanin extraction from mortiño and its high antioxidant capacity important for future industrial applications. As a result, ethanol at 20 and 60%, 60 °C for h are the best conditions to extract and quantify the anthocyanins of the mortiño fruit.