Potential of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) by-products: bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of leaves and petioles

Fermentation Performances and Aroma Contributions of Selected Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts for Cherry Wine Production

This study evaluates the fermentation performances of non-Saccharomyces strains in fermenting cherry must from Italian cherries unsuitable for selling and not intended to be consumed fresh, and their effects on the chemical composition of the resulting wine. Fermentation trials in 100 and 500 mL of must were carried out to select 21 strains belonging to 11 non-Saccharomyces species. Cherry wines obtained by six select strains were chemically analyzed for fixed and volatile compounds. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed by agglomerative hierarchical clustering, partial least squared discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis. Wines revealed significant differences in their composition. Lactic acid and phenylethyl acetate levels were very high in wines produced by Lachancea and Hanseniaspora, respectively. Compared to S. cerevisiae wine, non-Saccharomyces wines had a lower content of fatty acid ethyl esters 4-vinyl guaiacol and 4-vinyl phenol. The multivariate analysis discriminated between wines, demonstrating the different contributions of each strain to aroma components. Specifically, all wines from non-Saccharomyces strains were kept strictly separate from the control wine. This study provided comprehensive characterization traits for non-conventional strains that enhance the aroma complexity of cherry-based wine. The use of these yeasts in cherry wine production appears promising. Further investigation is required to ascertain their suitability for larger-scale fermentation.

Variability in the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds and the In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Leaves

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae Juss. family. Cherry leaves are an underutilized source of biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of the phenolic compounds, as well as the total antioxidant activity, in leaf samples of P. cerasus cultivars and to elucidate the cultivars with particular phytochemical compositions. The phytochemical profiles of P. cerasus leaves vary significantly in a cultivar-dependent manner. The total content of identified phenolic compounds varied from 8.254 to 16.199 mg/g in the cherry leaves. Chlorogenic acid ranged between 1413.3 µg/g ('North Star') and 8028.0 µg/g ('Note'). The total content of flavonols varied from 4172.5 µg/g ('Vytenu zvaigzde') to 9030.7 µg/g ('Tikhonovskaya'). The total content of identified proanthocyanidins varied from 122.3 µg/g ('Note') to 684.8 µg/g ('Kelleris'). The highest levels of phloridzin (38.1 ± 0.9 µg/g) were found in samples of 'Molodezhnaya', while the lowest level of this compound was determined in the leaf samples of 'Turgenevka' (6.7 ± 0.2). The strongest antiradical (138.0 ± 4.0 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) and reducing (364.9 ± 10.5 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) activity in vitro was exhibited by the cultivar 'Vytenu zvaigzde' cherry leaf sample extracts. 'Kelleris', 'Note', and 'Tikhonovskaya' distinguish themselves with peculiar phytochemical compositions.

Basic Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Selected Polyphenolic Compounds Profile in Garlic Leaves and Bulbs Collected at Various Stages of Development

Garlic is commonly used as vegetable or spice and as a herb in folklore as well as traditional medicine in many countries. The current study aimed to compare the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and the content of selected polyphenolic compounds in cloves as well as leaves of winter garlic plants of the Harnaś and Ornak cultivars, which are of Polish origin. Garlic was grown from cloves for three years (2018-2020) in the experimental field of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. The research material was harvested on three dates: May; June, unripe garlic plants; and in July, the plant at full maturity. The content of vitamin C in the fresh material was determined. The proximate analysis was determined in the freeze-dried plants of garlic, and the total carbohydrate content was calculated. The antioxidant activity and the content of selected polyphenolic compounds were also determined. Garlic cloves showed a higher content of dry matter, and total carbohydrates than the leaves of garlic plants. On the other hand, in the leaves, a significantly higher content of protein, total fat and ash were observed. Additionally, garlic leaves were characterised by a higher content of vitamin C, total polyphenols, and a higher antioxidant activity than garlic cloves. The leaves of young garlic plants from the May harvest were distinguished by a higher content of these compounds. The dominant phenolic compounds were catechin and epicatechin. The leaves of young plants can be a valuable source of bioactive substances, especially in early spring.

Exogenous Application of Glycine Betaine on Sweet Cherry Tree (Prunus avium L.): Effects on Tree Physiology and Leaf Properties

Biostimulants, such as glycine betaine (GB), are a sustainable way to boost productivity and quality in fruit crops, even in adverse environment conditions. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an important crop, which is very sensitive to abiotic stress. Known primarily for its fruits, its leaves are also rich in bioactive substances, which, however, still have no commercial value. There are no studies about the effects of GB exogenous application on biochemical parameters of sweet cherry leaves and few studies about effects in sweet cherry tree physiology. This study was conducted in a Portuguese sweet cherry commercial orchard. Lapins sweet cherry trees were treated with a commercial product based on GB, at two different concentrations (0.25% and 0.40%). The applications were performed at three different phenological stages, according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale: 77, 81 and 86 BBCH. Both GB treatments improved leaf water status, photosynthetic pigments, soluble solids content, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity, resulting in better leaf water status regulation, greater photosynthetic capacity, and higher antioxidant activity. These results shows that GB can benefit sweet cherry tree physiology and provide new opportunities for sweet cherry leaves valorisation.

Prunus avium L. (Sweet Cherry) By-Products: A Source of Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties—A Review

Prunus avium L. (sweet cherry) is one of the most appreciated fruit due to its organoleptic and nutritional value. Interestingly, cherry leaves, stems, and flowers are agri-food by-products rich in bioactive compounds that are mostly still unexploited. Stems and leaves have been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Recently, cherry flowers have also proved to be an interesting source of compounds with therapeutic properties. Phenolic compounds, namely hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, are the most present phytochemicals in P. avium fruits and their by-products. These compounds have shown a good antioxidant potential to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases and glycemic control, fundamental in preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus. The present review summarizes the main phenolics found in P. avium stems, leaves, and flowers as compared to their fruits and describes their antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Thus, these by-products are an accessible and low-cost source of bioactive constituents with interesting health-promoting properties, making their use promising in diabetes therapy.

Comparative chemical analysis of six ancient italian sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) varieties showing antiangiogenic activity

In this study, cherry fruits and petioles from six ancient Italian Prunus avium L. varieties (Ferrovia, Capellina, Morellina, Ciambellana, Napoletana, and Bianca), were compared by chemical and bioinformatic analyses and evaluated for their antiangiogenic activity. The highest levels of total phenols and flavonoids were found in Napoletana petioles, and Morellina and Capellina fruits. HPLC-PDA-MS analyses showed similar phenolic profiles for all fruit extracts, with cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, flavonols glycosides, and quinic acid derivatives as major components. Flavonoid glycosides were found in all petiole extracts, while proanthocyanidins B type were predominant in Capellina, Napoletana and Bianca. Accordingly to their higher polyphenolic content, petiole extracts exhibited stronger radical scavenging activity compared to the fruits. The best antiangiogenic response was exhibited by Morellina, Ferrovia, and Ciambellana petiole extracts, and by Ferrovia, Morellina, and Capellina fruit extracts; by bioinformatic studies rutin and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside were recognised as the best candidate bioactive compounds. In conclusion, sweet cherry varietes were confirmed as valuable sources of phenols, showing also potential angiomodulator properties.

Antioxidant Activity of Potato Seedlings at Different Storage Temperatures

In order to promote the storage and growth of potato seedlings, the antioxidant activities of potato seedlings at different storage temperatures were analyzed. The antioxidant activities of potato seedlings at two different temperatures were compared. In addition, the effects of high temperature and normal temperature on the growth phenotype and antioxidant system physiological indexes of potato seedlings were analyzed by high temperature treatment. According to the significant change characteristics of SOD activity of antioxidant index at different temperatures, the SOD genes of potato were screened and bioinformatics analysis and gene expression analysis were carried out. The results showed that high temperature inhibited the antioxidant activity of potato seedlings and affected the growth of potato seedlings. The growth of potato seedlings can be promoted in medium and low temperature environment. In the future research, the experimental results can be used as the theoretical basis for potato planting.

Optimizing the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves and UPLC-MS/MS analysis

To study the application value of sweet cherry leaves before abscission, a supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2) extraction method was established for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves. The extraction temperature, pressure and time were optimized with a Box-Behnken design, and the optimal conditions were 43 °C, 30 MPa, and 120 min, resulting in a yield of 2.52 ± 0.261% (w/w), which agrees well with the predicted value. The yield of the sweet cherry leaf extracts obtained by methanol solvent extraction is 2.03% (w/w); the SFE-CO2 extraction method was more efficient and had a higher yield than the methanol solvent extraction method, and the adverse effects of organic solvent residues and high temperatures on the product during traditional solvent extraction were avoided, resulting in a higher quality product. UPLC-MS/MS in negative ion mode provided 56 identifiable chromatographic peaks, including those of 31 acids (13.25%), 5 sugars (15.94%), 2 alcohols (6.19%), and 18 other compounds (3.86%). The fragmentation pathways of the 7 main components in the sweet cherry leaf extract were identified. The carbohydrates and bioactive substances in the extracts obtained from sweet cherry leaves suggested the potential use of sweet cherry leaves in the food and medical industries.

High-Fructose Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders Were Counteracted by the Intake of Fruit and Leaves of Sweet Cherry in Wistar Rats

Numerous studies have indicated that the use of plants rich in bioactive compounds may reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate how the addition of fruit and leaves to high-fructose diet affects lipid metabolism, including the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in the liver and adipose tissue, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation in Wistar rats. The animals were fed with AIN-93G diet, high fructose (HFr) diet, HFr diet with addition of 5% or 10% freeze-dried fruits, and HFr diet with addition of 1% or 3% freeze-dried leaves. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. The results showed that the intake of fruit and leaves of sweet cherry caused the improvement of the liver function, as well as beneficially affected lipid metabolism, among others, by regulating the expression of genes associated with fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation. Additionally, they exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, the addition of fruit and leaves reduced the adverse changes arising from the consumption of high fructose diet. Therefore, not only commonly consumed fruits, but also leaves can be potentially used as functional foods. These findings may be helpful in prevention and treatment of the obesity-related metabolic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases.