Assays of the Amino Acid Tryptophan in Cherries by HPLC-Fluorescence

Options for the generation of seedless cherry, the ultimate snacking product

This manuscript identifies cherry orthologues of genes implicated in the development of pericarpic fruit and pinpoints potential options and restrictions in the use of these targets for commercial exploitation of parthenocarpic cherry fruit. Cherry fruit contain a large stone and seed, making processing of the fruit laborious and consumption by the consumer challenging, inconvenient to eat 'on the move' and potentially dangerous for children. Availability of fruit lacking the stone and seed would be potentially transformative for the cherry industry, since such fruit would be easier to process and would increase consumer demand because of the potential reduction in costs. This review will explore the background of seedless fruit, in the context of the ambition to produce the first seedless cherry, carry out an in-depth analysis of the current literature around parthenocarpy in fruit, and discuss the available technology and potential for producing seedless cherry fruit as an 'ultimate snacking product' for the twenty-first century.

Seasonal Consumption of Cherries from Different Origins Affects Metabolic Markers and Gene Expression of Lipogenic Enzymes in Rat Liver: A Preliminary Study

The phytochemical composition of fruits, especially polyphenols, depends on the environmental conditions under which these fruits are cultivated and the agronomic practices followed. Therefore, the consumption of fruits from different origins, with different polyphenol signatures, could have differential effects on health. In addition, recent studies have shown that variation in the biological rhythms due to changes in the photoperiod in the different seasons differentially affect the metabolism in animal models, thus conditioning their response to food consumption. Considering all, this article evaluates the effects of consumption of sweet cherry from different sources, local (LC) and non-local (nLC), on plasma metabolic parameters and the gene expression of key enzymes of lipid metabolism in Fischer 344 rats under photoperiods simulating different seasons. Animals were classified into three photoperiods (L6, L12 and L18) and three treatments (LC, nLC and VH). Both the photoperiod and the treatments significantly affected the evaluated parameters. An effect of the photoperiod on triacylglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids and the mRNA concentration of crucial enzymes from the hepatic lipid metabolism was observed. Furthermore, the consumption of fruit in L12 lowered blood glucose, while the different treatments affected the hepatic expression of genes related with lipidic enzymes.

The pleiotropic effects of Prunus avium L. extract against oxidative stress on human fibroblasts. An in vitro approach

There is a persistent interest in innovative and multifunctional ingredients in biology research. With regards to this, natural sources have an important role due to their multiple benefits. Thus, this study aims to present the pleiotropic activity of Prunus avium L. extract on human primary fibroblasts for proving its efficacy in dermis-related processes. We focused on the safety and efficacy assessments based on cytotoxicity and gene expression analysis under oxidative stress. Specifically, Prunus avium L. extract was proved non-cytotoxic in human fibroblasts. The gene expression analysis unveiled that this extract has in vitro protective properties on human dermal fibroblasts under oxidative stress related to antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory response, cell proliferation and cell- aging. Our study demonstrated for the very first time that the Prunus avium L. extract is a multifunctional ingredient as it mediates several human dermis-related in vitro processes highlighting its potential to be used as an active ingredient in skin care products.

Studies on the chemical composition of fruits and seeds of Pseudocydonia sinensis (Thouin) C.K. Schneid

Pseudocydonia sinensis (Thouin) C. K. Schneid. less known plant species in the Ukraine conditions, but the fruits were widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma, colds, sore throat, mastitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tuberculosis. The content of protein, ash, and lipids in the seeds was found to be greater than in the pulp and peel. Monosaccharide analysis of neutral carbohydrate part showed the presence of two main sugars fructose and sucrose in the seeds, pulp, and peel. There is a higher beta-carotene content in the rind of the fruit than in the seeds and pulp. The total amount of fatty acids varied from sample to sample and contained mainly oleic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid. Linoleic acid in the seeds was 48.02% of total fatty acids, slightly less in the rind 42.70%. Palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in the pulp samples were 45.38, 21.32, and 14.93%, respectively. The total amount of amino acids found in the seeds was 105.0 g.kg-1 DM, including total essential amino acids (32.70 g.kg-1 DM). Glutamic acid was found in seeds to be the dominant free amino acid followed by aspartic acid and arginine in the seed. In our study, the antioxidant activity carried out by the DPPH method and measured by molybdenum reducing antioxidant power of peel, pulp and seeds were 9.41, 7.08, 6.21, and 158.81, 92.83, 78.58 mg TEAC.g-1 DM, respectively. Micro and macronutrients and amino acids predominated in the seeds, total fatty acids predominated in the pulp. The highest content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, flavonoid, and phenolic acid) and antioxidant activity was found in the peel. P. sinensis can be considered as a nourishing fruit with a copious potential with health-promoting roles and medicinal properties.

Prediction of Antioxidant Activity of Cherry Fruits from UAS Multispectral Imagery Using Machine Learning

In this research, a model for the estimation of antioxidant content in cherry fruits from multispectral imagery acquired from drones was developed, based on machine learning methods. For two consecutive cultivation years, the trees were sampled on different dates and then analysed for their fruits' radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu (FCR) reducing capacity. Multispectral images from unmanned aerial vehicles were acquired on the same dates with fruit sampling. Soil samples were collected throughout the study fields at the end of the season. Topographic, hydrographic and weather data also were included in modelling. First-year data were used for model-fitting, whereas second-year data for testing. Spatial autocorrelation tests indicated unbiased sampling and, moreover, allowed restriction of modelling input parameters to a smaller group. The optimum model employs 24 input variables resulting in a 6.74 root mean square error. Provided that soil profiles and other ancillary data are known in advance of the cultivation season, capturing drone images in critical growth phases, together with contemporary weather data, can support site- and time-specific harvesting. It could also support site-specific treatments (precision farming) for improving fruit quality in the long-term, with analogous marketing perspectives.

Nutrients, Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivity: The Health Benefits of Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.)

Background:

Sweet cherries are one of the most appreciated fruits worldwide as well as one of the great sources of several active substances, as phytochemical compounds (carotenoids, serotonin, melatonin and phenolic compounds) as well as in nutritive compounds (sugars and organic acids). Accumulating research demonstrate that their supplementation in our daily diet can contradict oxidative stress, mitigating or even attenuating chronic diseases, as cancerous processes, antiinflammatory- related disorders, diabetes, and neurological and cardiovascular pathologies. Therefore, the aims of this review are to present an overview on the effects of sweet cherries as health promotors, giving emphasis to the health benefits of their bioactive compounds, particularly their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-neurodegeneration, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects.

Methods:

Research and online content about sweet cherry fruits is reviewed. The information available has been read several times to avoid inconsistencies. In addition, according what we read, original figures were done and added to facilitate understanding and to enrich the paper.

Results:

In this review, a total of 202 original reports were used. In respect to health benefits, it is possible to confirm by several studies that, in fact, the consumption of sweet cherries has positive impacts in human health, owing to their wealthy and vast constitution, particularly in phenolic compounds, vitamins and carotenoids whose health properties were already documented.

Conclusion:

The findings of this review support the evidence that sweet cherries can be applied in pharmaceutical and food formulations, since they are able to diminish free radical species and proinflammatory markers, preventing and/ or ameliorating oxidative-stress disorders.

A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries

Increased oxidative stress contributes to development and progression of several human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cherries are a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim is to summarize results from human studies regarding health benefits of both sweet and tart cherries, including products made from them (juice, powder, concentrate, capsules); all referred to as cherries here. We found 29 (tart 20, sweet 7, unspecified 2) published human studies which examined health benefits of consuming cherries. Most of these studies were less than 2 weeks of duration (range 5 h to 3 months) and served the equivalent of 45 to 270 cherries/day (anthocyanins 55–720 mg/day) in single or split doses. Two-thirds of these studies were randomized and placebo controlled. Consumption of cherries decreased markers for oxidative stress in 8/10 studies; inflammation in 11/16; exercise-induced muscle soreness and loss of strength in 8/9; blood pressure in 5/7; arthritis in 5/5, and improved sleep in 4/4. Cherries also decreased hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) in diabetic women, and VLDL and TG/HDL in obese participants. These results suggest that consumption of sweet or tart cherries can promote health by preventing or decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Role of NAD(+), Oxidative Stress, and Tryptophan Metabolism in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neuro-developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced/absent verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior during early childhood. The etiology of this developmental disorder is poorly understood, and no biomarkers have been identified. Identification of novel biochemical markers related to autism would be advantageous for earlier clinical diagnosis and intervention. Studies suggest that oxidative stress-induced mechanisms and reduced antioxidant defense, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energy metabolism (NAD(+), NADH, ATP, pyruvate, and lactate), are major causes of ASD. This review provides renewed insight regarding current autism research related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered tryptophan metabolism in ASD.

Chrononutrition against oxidative stress in aging

Free radicals and oxidative stress have been recognized as important factors in the biology of aging and in many age-associated degenerative diseases. Antioxidant systems deteriorate during aging. It is, thus, considered that one way to reduce the rate of aging and the risk of chronic disease is to avoid the formation of free radicals and reduce oxidative stress by strengthening antioxidant defences. Phytochemicals present in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foodstuffs have been linked to reducing the risk of major oxidative stress-induced diseases. Some dietary components of foods possess biological activities which influence circadian rhythms in humans. Chrononutrition studies have shown that not only the content of food, but also the time of ingestion contributes to the natural functioning of the circadian system. Dietary interventions with antioxidant-enriched foods taking into account the principles of chrononutrition are of particular interest for the elderly since they may help amplify the already powerful benefits of phytochemicals as natural instruments with which to prevent or delay the onset of common age-related diseases.

A Jerte valley cherry product provides beneficial effects on sleep quality. Influence on aging

OBJECTIVE

In the present work, we evaluated the effect of the intake of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product (JVCP), compared to a placebo product, on sleep quality, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6-s) levels and the serum concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8).

DESIGN

This was a blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study.

SETTING

University of Extremadura (Spain).

PARTICIPANTS

Ten young (20-30 years old), ten middle-aged (35-55 years old), and ten elderly (65-85 years old) participants.

INTERVENTION

A placebo (Kool-Aid®) or JVCP (patent no. ES 2342141 B1) were consumed twice a day, as lunch and dinner desserts.

MEASUREMENTS

Actigraphic monitoring was used to record and display the temporal patterns of the individuals' activity and rest. Urinary aMT6-s and serum cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8) were also determined.

RESULTS

The consumption of the JVCP improved the nocturnal rest, measured by sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, total nocturnal activity, sleep latency, assumed sleep, actual sleep time and immobility. Moreover, it was detected an increase in both the levels of aMT6-s found in first-void morning urine and the concentrations of serum pro-somnogenic cytokines obtained from samples collected at the acrophase of the melatonin rhythm (1.00 am) in all experimental age groups after the JVCP consumption. Generally, better results were obtained with advancing age.

CONCLUSION

The ingestion of the JVCP may contribute to establish a high-quality sleep and be used as a potential nutraceutical tool to prevent sleep disorders with the advance of age.

Systemic inflammatory load in young and old ringdoves is modulated by consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product

A chronic subclinical inflammatory status that coexists with immune dysfunction is commonly found in the elderly population. Consumption of foods rich in antioxidants (e.g., cherries) is an attractive strategy to reduce risk from chronic diseases. Based on previous studies showing the antioxidant effect of a Jerte Valley cherry derivative product in humans, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the intake of a Jerte Valley cherry-based beverage on inflammatory load in both young and old ringdoves (Streptopelia risoria). To this purpose, circulating levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as serum levels of different acute-phase proteins were measured before and after a 10-day treatment with the Jerte Valley cherry-based beverage. Thus, the 10-day treatment with the cherry-based beverage modulated the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in both young and old ringdoves by down-regulating the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ) and up-regulating the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-2, and IL-10). Moreover, the 10-day treatment with the Jerte Valley cherry-based product reduced the levels of several proteins involved in acute-phase responses, such as C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, α(2)-macroglobulin, and serum amyloid P component. On the other hand, old birds showed imbalanced levels of inflammatory markers toward a pro-inflammatory status, thereby underlining the fact that aging is usually accompanied by systemic inflammation and inflammation-related chronic diseases. To sum up, the data suggest a potential health benefit by consuming the cherry-based beverage, especially in aged populations, through their anti-inflammatory properties.

A jerte valley cherry-based product as a supply of tryptophan

L-Tryptophan (tryptophan) is an essential amino acid in humans. It has important roles as a precursor of different bioactive compounds. Based on previous studies in which tryptophan has been shown to be present in fresh cherries, the aim of the present work was to analyze the tryptophan content of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product. A previously optimized method of analysis of tryptophan was used, ie, high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FL). As expected, HPLC/FL technique permitted to detect and quantify the tryptophan content in a different matrix rather than fresh cherries. In fact, the Jerte Valley cherry-based product contained 69.54 ± 10.64 ppm of tryptophan, thereby showing that this product is a good source of tryptophan. In summary, it has been proven that the Jerte Valley cherry-based product is rich in tryptophan and may be indicated as a supply of this essential amino acid as well as having potential health benefits for conditions where tryptophan is necessary.

Diets enriched with a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product reinforce nocturnal behaviour in young and old animals of nocturnal (Rattus norvegicus) and diurnal (Streptopelia risoria) chronotypes

The decline in melatonin secretion with age seems to be one of the major reasons for increased sleep disruption in older animals. Previously, we showed that the administration with melatonin or its precursor, tryptophan, improved activity/rest rhythms in aged individuals. Here, it was evaluated the effect of a 10-day consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product (patent no. ES2342141B1), which contains high levels of tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, on the activity/rest rhythms of young and old rats (Rattus norvegicus) and ringdoves (Streptopelia risoria) as representatives of animals with nocturnal and diurnal habits, respectively, and its possible relationship with the serum levels of melatonin and glucose. Total diurnal and nocturnal activity pulses were logged at control, during, and up to 3 days after the treatment. Melatonin and glucose were measured with ELISA and testing kits respectively. In both young and old rats, the intake of the cherry nutraceutical decreased diurnal activity, whereas nocturnal activity increased. The opposite effect was observed for ringdoves. The treatment increased the circulating levels of melatonin in both species and restored the amplitude of the activity rhythm in the old animals to that of the non-treated young groups. The consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product may help to counteract the impaired activity/rest rhythm found in aged animals.

Jerte Valley cherry-enriched diets improve nocturnal rest and increase 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity in the urine of middle-aged and elderly humans

Tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, present in Jerte Valley cherries, participate in sleep regulation and exhibit antioxidant properties. The effect of the intake of seven different Jerte Valley cherry cultivars on the sleep-wake cycle, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels, and urinary total antioxidant capacity in middle-aged and elderly participants was evaluated. Volunteers were subjected to actigraphic monitoring to record and display the temporal patterns of their nocturnal activity and rest. 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assay kits, respectively. The intake of each of the cherry cultivars produced beneficial effects on actual sleep time, total nocturnal activity, assumed sleep, and immobility. Also, there were significant increases in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and total antioxidant capacity in urine after the intake of each cultivar. These findings suggested that the intake of Jerte Valley cherries exerted positive effect on sleep and may be seen as a potential nutraceutical tool to counteract oxidation.