General method for extraction of blueberry anthocyanins and identification using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry

Blueberry extract attenuates DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease in mice through inhibiting ER stress-mediated colonic apoptosis in mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, debilitating condition with limited therapeutic options. Dietary components like blueberries have emerged as potential modulators of inflammation and tissue repair in gastrointestinal diseases. This study investigated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis mediated protective effects of blueberries in ameliorating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD. Firstly, a total of 86 anthocyanin compounds were identified in blueberry extract by LC-MS spectroscopy, including 35 cyanidin, 9 delphinidin, 14 malvidin, 10 peonidin, and 9 petunidin. Then, the animal study showed that blueberry supplementation notably ameliorated DSS-induced IBD symptoms, as evidenced by improved histopathological scores and a reduced disease activity index (DAI) score. Additionally, blueberries attenuated ER stress by inhibiting the colonic PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway. Furthermore, blueberries inhibited the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, caspase-3, and decreased colonic apoptosis, as evidenced by TUNEL assay results. However, it did not affect the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and bcl-xl. Finally, blueberries enhanced the intestinal barrier by upregulating ZO-1, claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin. In conclusion, blueberries demonstrate therapeutic potential against DSS-induced IBD-like symptoms in mice, possibly by regulating ER stress-mediated apoptosis pathways. These findings suggest that blueberries might be an effective dietary intervention for IBD management.

Anthocyanins-rich cranberry extract attenuates DSS-induced IBD in an intestinal flora independent manner

Cranberry is abundantly rich in anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid with potent antioxidant properties and the resistance against certain diseases. In this study, anthocyanin-rich cranberry extract was extracted, purified, and its components were analyzed. 92.18 % of anthocyanins was obtained and the total content of anthocyanins was 302.62 mg/g after AB-8 resin purification. Quantification analysis showed that the extract mainly contained cyanidin-3-galactoside, procyanidin B2 and procyanidin B4. Then we explored its effects on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. The supplementation of cranberry extract resulted in an alleviation of IBD symptoms, evidenced by improvements in the disease activity index (DAI), restoration of colon length and colonic morphology. Cranberry extract reversed the elevated iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and restored glutathione (GSH) levels in IBD mice. Further analysis revealed that cranberry modulated ferroptosis-associated genes and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although cranberry influenced the intestinal flora balance by reducing Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella, and increasing Lactobacillus, as well as enhancing SCFAs content, these effects were not entirely dependent on intestinal flora modulation, as indicated by antibiotic intervention and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the beneficial impact of cranberry extract on IBD may primarily involve the regulation of colonic ferroptosis, independent of significant alterations in intestinal flora.

Optimizing the Extraction of the Polyphenolic Fraction from Defatted Strawberry Seeds for Tiliroside Isolation Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction Combined with a Box-Behnken Design

Tiliroside is a natural polyphenolic compound with a wide range of biological activity, and defatted strawberry seeds are its rich source. The goal of this study was to optimize accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) conditions, including temperature, solvent composition, and the number of extraction cycles, using Box-Behnken design to maximize the yield of tiliroside. UPLC-DAD-MS was applied to investigate the polyphenolic composition of the extracts, and preparative liquid chromatography (pLC) was used for isolation. All obtained mathematical models generally showed an increase in the efficiency of isolating polyphenolic compounds with an increase in temperature, ethanol content, and the number of extraction cycles. The optimal established ASE conditions for tiliroside were as follows: a temperature of 65 °C, 63% ethanol in water, and four extraction cycles. This allowed for the obtainment of a tiliroside-rich fraction, and the recovery of isolated tiliroside from plant material reached 243.2 mg from 100 g. Our study showed that ASE ensures the isolation of a tiliroside-rich fraction with high effectiveness. Furthermore, defatted strawberry seeds proved to be a convenient source of tiliroside because the matrix of accompanying components is relatively poor, which facilitates separation.

Anthocyanin of Black Highland Barley Alleviates H2O2-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury and Myocardial Infarction via Activating the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog/Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Pathway

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a substantial global health challenge, with its impact on mortality and morbidity rates surpassing that of cancer. The present study was designed to explore the cardioprotective properties of anthocyanin (ACN), a compound derived from black barley, against oxidative stress-induced damage in myocardial cells and to uncover the molecular mechanisms at play. Utilizing both in vitro and in vivo experimental models, our findings indicate that ACN notably reduced cell damage caused by oxidative stress and effectively prevented apoptosis. High-throughput RNA sequencing analysis has shed light on the mechanism by which ACN achieves its antioxidative stress effects, implicating the PTEN-Akt signaling pathway. ACN was found to modulate PTEN expression levels, which in turn influences the Akt pathway, leading to a reduction in apoptotic processes. This novel insight lays the groundwork for the potential clinical utilization of ACN in the management of CVD. While this study has shed light on some of the functions of ACN, it is important to recognize that natural compounds often interact with multiple molecular targets and engage in intricate signaling cascades. Future research endeavors will concentrate on further elucidating the regulatory mechanisms by which ACN influences PTEN expression, with the goal of enhancing our comprehension and expanding the therapeutic potential of ACN in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions.

Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles reveal fruit peel color variation in two red pomegranate cultivars

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) which belongs to family Lythraceae, is one of the most important fruit crops of many tropical and subtropical regions. A high variability in fruit color is observed among different pomegranate accessions, which arises from the qualitative and quantitative differences in anthocyanins. However, the mechanism of fruit color variation is still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the red color mutation between a red-skinned pomegranate 'Hongbaoshi' and a purple-red-skinned cultivar 'Moshiliu', by using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. A total of 51 anthocyanins were identified from fruit peels, among which 3-glucoside and 3,5-diglucoside of cyanidin (Cy), delphinidin (Dp), and pelargonidin (Pg) were dominant. High proportion of Pg in early stages of 'Hongbaoshi' but high Dp in late stages of 'Moshiliu' were characterized. The unique high levels of Cy and Dp anthocyanins accumulating from early developmental stages accounted for the purple-red phenotype of 'Moshiliu'. Transcriptomic analysis revealed an early down-regulated and late up-regulated of anthocyanin-related structure genes in 'Moshiliu' compared with 'Hongbaoshi'. Alao, ANR was specially expressed in 'Hongbaoshi', with extremely low expression levels in 'Moshiliu'. For transcription factors R2R3-MYB, the profiles demonstrated a much higher transcription levels of three subgroup (SG) 5 MYBs and a sharp decrease in expression of SG6 MYB LOC116202527 in high-anthocyanin 'Moshiliu'. SG4 MYBs exhibited two entirely different patterns, LOC116203744 and LOC116212505 were down-regulated whereas LOC116205515 and LOC116212778 were up-regulated in 'Moshiliu' pomegranate. The results indicate that specific SG members of the MYB family might promote the peel coloration in different manners and play important roles in color mutation in pomegranate.

Comparisons in phytochemical components and in vitro digestion properties of corresponding peels, flesh and seeds separated from two blueberry cultivars

Highbush blueberries (HB) and rabbiteye blueberries (RB) were separated into peels, flesh, and seeds to assess the compositions of nutriment, anthocyanins, soluble sugars and fatty acids, and the in vitro digesting abilities. Total phenolics contents (TPC) of 51-56 mg GAE/g DW were found in blueberry peels. Compared with HB peels, RB peels showed much higher TPC, but only contained 35 phenolics and lacked peonidin-3-O-rutinoside. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose were all present in HB and RB, but RB flesh had a higher acid-sugar ratio. Unsaturated fatty acid concentrations in HB and RB seeds were comparable (26.65 and 26.43 mg/g, respectively). However, HB seeds have 35 fatty acids, but RB seeds lacked cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid and cis-10-pentadecenoic acid. The in vitro digestion test showed that the whole fruit/peels/flesh of RB had a higher recovery and bioavailability index of phenolics and anthocyanins. Therefore, the reuse of blueberry pomace needs to be emphasized.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01326-w.

Shade Effect on Phenology, Fruit Yield, and Phenolic Content of Two Wild Blueberry Species in Northwestern Ontario, Canada

We studied the effect of shade on the phenology, growth, berry yield, and chemical content of two common blueberry species (Vaccinium myrtilloides and V. angustifolium) in Northwestern Ontario. We hypothesized that high shade would delay vegetative and reproductive phenology and decrease berry yield by increasing resource allocation to vegetative vs. reproductive growth, whereas moderate shade would increase berry phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. We subjected transplanted blueberry plants to a controlled shade treatment and evaluated plant phenological events, vegetative and reproductive growth, berry phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. High shade caused an earlier leaf maturation in V. myrtilloides, delayed flowering in V. angustifolium, and prolonged fruit maturation in both. The berry yield of both species decreased with increasing shade. High shade reduced the berry phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, especially in V. myrtilloides. We concluded that shade shifts species-specific vegetative and reproductive phenology, leading to a difference in resource acquisition, resulting in lower berry yield and antioxidant activity.

Fermented Whey Ewe's Milk-Based Fruit Smoothies: Bio-Recycling and Enrichment of Phenolic Compounds and Improvement of Protein Digestibility and Antioxidant Activity

This study aimed to recycle whey milk by-products (protein source) in fruit smoothies (phenolic compounds source) through started-assisted fermentation and delivering sustainable and healthy food formulations capable of providing nutrients that are unavailable due to an unbalanced diet or incorrect eating habits. Five lactic acid bacteria strains were selected as best starters for smoothie production based on the complementarity of pro-technological (kinetics of growth and acidification) traits, exopolysaccharides and phenolics release, and antioxidant activity enhancement. Compared to raw whey milk-based fruit smoothies (Raw_WFS), fermentation led to distinct profiles of sugars (glucose, fructose, mannitol, and sucrose), organic acids (lactic acid and acetic acid), ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds (gallic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, hydrocaffeic acid, quercetin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2, and ellagic acid) and especially anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, peonidin, petunidin 3-glucoside). Protein and phenolics interaction enhanced the release of anthocyanins, notably under the action of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The same bacterial strains outperformed other species in terms of protein digestibility and quality. With variations among starters culture, bio-converted metabolites were most likely responsible for the increase antioxidant scavenging capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and lipid peroxidation) and the modifications in organoleptic properties (aroma and flavor).

Influence of Storage Conditions on Stability of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity Values in Nutraceutical Mixtures with Edible Flowers as New Dietary Supplements

This paper investigates the effects of storage conditions on the stability of phenolics and their antioxidant activities in unique nutraceutical supplements containing non-traditional cereal flakes, edible flowers, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Significant total phenolic content (TPC) of 1170-2430 mg GAE/kg and total anthocyanin content (TAC) with the values of 322-663 mg C3G/kg were determined with the highest TPC content established in free phenolic fractions. The most notable declines in TPC (by 53%), TAC (by 62%), phenolics (e.g., glycosylated anthocyanins by 35-67%), and antioxidant activity (by 25% using DPPH) were established in the presence of sunlight at 23 °C followed by the storage at 40 °C. Quercetin, rutin, peonidin, pelargonidin, p-coumaric, ellagic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids were identified as the least stable phenolics when exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, glycosylated forms of anthocyanins demonstrated a greater stability when compared with anthocyanidins. The mixtures considerably eliminated ABTS and DPPH radicals. In all samples, water-soluble substances showed a higher antioxidant activity than lipid-soluble substances with the main contributors in the following order: delphinidin-3-glucoside (r = +0.9839) > p-coumaric > gallic > sinapic > p-hydroxybenzoic acids > delphinidin > peonidin and malvidin (r = +0.6538). Gluten-free nutraceutical mixtures M3 (containing red rice and black quinoa flakes, red and blue cornflowers, blueberries, and barberries) and M4 (containing red and black rice flakes, rose, blue cornflower, blueberries, raspberries, and barberries) were evaluated as the least stable under all storage conditions although they showed considerable phenolic concentrations. Phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the nutraceutical mixtures were the highest at 23 °C without the presence of sunlight with the most stable M1 nutraceutical mixture (containing oat and red wheat flakes, hibiscus, lavender, blueberries, raspberries, and barberries).

Advances in the Chemistry, Analysis and Adulteration of Anthocyanin Rich-Berries and Fruits: 2000-2022

Anthocyanins are reported to exhibit a wide variety of remedial qualities against many human disorders, including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory activity, amelioration of cardiovascular diseases, improvement of cognitive decline, and are touted to protect against neurodegenerative disorders. Anthocyanins are water soluble naturally occurring polyphenols containing sugar moiety and are found abundantly in colored fruits/berries. Various chromatographic (HPLC/HPTLC) and spectroscopic (IR, NMR) techniques as standalone or in hyphenated forms such as LC-MS/LC-NMR are routinely used to gauge the chemical composition and ensure the overall quality of anthocyanins in berries, fruits, and finished products. The major emphasis of the current review is to compile and disseminate various analytical methodologies on characterization, quantification, and chemical profiling of the whole array of anthocyanins in berries, and fruits within the last two decades. In addition, the factors affecting the stability of anthocyanins, including pH, light exposure, solvents, metal ions, and the presence of other substances, such as enzymes and proteins, were addressed. Several sources of anthocyanins, including berries and fruit with their botanical identity and respective yields of anthocyanins, were covered. In addition to chemical characterization, economically motivated adulteration of anthocyanin-rich fruits and berries due to increasing consumer demand will also be the subject of discussion. Finally, the health benefits and the medicinal utilities of anthocyanins were briefly discussed. A literature search was performed using electronic databases from PubMed, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Google Scholar, and the search was conducted covering the period from January 2000 to November 2022.

Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium formula fertilization on the yield and berry quality of blueberry

Through the application ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the field, L9 (33) orthogonal experimental design was used to study the effects of different N, P and K ratios on the yield and quality of blueberry fruit, aiming to optimize the amount of supplied fertilizers. The results showed that N, P and K fertilizer had different effects on fruit yield and quality, among which K fertilizer was the most important factor. Fertilization could significantly improve the yield and fruit quality of blueberry, and the average yield of fertilization treatment was 37.78% higher than that of the control group (CK). Even the treatment with the worst results F6 (N2P3K1), its single fruit weight, anthocyanins, total phenols, soluble solids and soluble protein content were 1.09, 1.32, 1.23, 1.08 and 1.21 times higher than the control (CK), respectively. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of principal component analysis and multi factor analysis of variance, the best fertilization combination for high-yield and good-quality blueberries was N1P2K2 (F2), that is, the best fertilization effect was that including N 100 g/plant, P2O5 25 g/plant, K2O 25 g/plant, applied in the form of ammonium sulfate (472 g/plant), superphosphate (41 g/plant) and potassium sulfate (40 g/plant), respectively.

An Optimized HPLC-DAD Methodology for the Determination of Anthocyanins in Grape Skins of Red Greek Winegrape Cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)

A rapid and simple HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed and optimized for the determination of anthocynanins in three red Greek winegrape varieties (Kotsifali, Limnio, and Vradiano). The critical parameters, such as the acidifying solvent and the extraction temperature, which affect the extraction of anthocyanins from the grapes, were studied to find the optimum values. The developed methodology was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision and presented satisfactory results. The limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.20 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg, and the limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.12 mg/kg. The RSD% of the within-day and between-day assays were lower than 6.2% and 8.5%, respectively, showing adequate precision. The accuracy ranged between 91.6 and 119% for within-day assay and between 89.9 and 123% for between-day assay. Sixteen samples from the main regions of each variety as well as from the official ampelographic collections of Greece were collected during the 2020 growing season and were further analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Notable differences in the anthocyanin content were detected among the cultivars using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).

Composition and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa extracted using an ultrasonic-microwave-assisted natural deep eutectic solvent extraction method

A time-saving, efficient, and environmentally friendly ultrasonic-microwave-assisted natural deep eutectic solvent (UMAE-NADES) extraction method was developed for the extraction of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa. Eight different natural eutectic solvents were screened initially, and choline chloride-glycerol was selected as the extraction solvent. The extraction conditions were optimized using the response surface methodology, and the extraction rate of anthocyanins was higher than those achieved using the traditional ethanol method, natural deep eutectic solvent extraction method, and ultrasonic-microwave-assisted ethanol method. Six anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-O-xyloside, cyanidin-3,5-O-dihexoside, and the dimer of cyanidin-hexoside were identified and extracted at a purity of 448.873 mg/g using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The compounds extracted using UMAE-NADES had higher antioxidant capacities than those extracted by the other three methods. The UMAE-NADES demonstrated significant efficiency toward the extraction of bioactive substances and has potential utility in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Polyphenol characterisation and diverse bioactivities of native Australian lilly pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) extract

Magenta lilly pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) is an Australian native tree that produces berry fruits that are rich in phytochemicals reportedly beneficial to human health. Here we explored the biological activities of polyphenol-enriched extracts from the magenta lilly pilly fruit, benchmarking it against traditional sources including purple sweet potato and blackberry. We show that the extracts exert potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties as well as antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The phenolic composition of lilly pilly was investigated using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS), revealing anthocyanins to be the primary component in high abundance compared to traditional anthocyanin-containing plants. Three anthocyanins from lilly pilly, along with their glycosylation patterns and stability, were characterised. Altogether, our results demonstrate the potential to exploit magenta lilly pilly fruits as a high-yielding source of phenolics with beneficial biological properties of potential interest for multiple downstream applications.

Finite Element Analysis and Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging for the Determination of Blueberry Bruise Grading

Bruising of the subcutaneous tissues of blueberries is an important form of mechanical damage. Different levels of bruising have a significant effect on the post-harvest marketing of blueberries. To distinguish different grades of blueberry bruises and explore the effects of different factors, explicit dynamic simulation and near-infrared hyperspectral reflectance imaging were employed without harming the blueberries in this study. Based on the results of the compression experiment, an explicit dynamic simulation of blueberries was performed to measure the potential locations of bruises and preliminarily divide the bruise stages. A near-infrared hyperspectral reflectance imaging system was used to detect the actual blueberry bruises. According to the blueberry photos taken by the near-infrared hyperspectral reflectance imaging system, the actual bruise rates of blueberries were obtained by using the Environment for Visualizing Images software for training and classification. Bruise grades of blueberries were divided accordingly. Response surface methodology was used to determine the effects of ripeness, loading speed and loading location on the blueberry bruising rate. Under the optimized parameters, the actual damage rate of blueberries was 1.1%. The results provide an important theoretical basis for the accurate and rapid identification and classification of blueberry bruise damage.

Anthocyanin Extraction Method and Sample Preparation Affect Anthocyanin Yield of Strawberries

Anthocyanins are a group of pigments with antioxidant activities that are present naturally in plants. The role of the pigment in human health and its quantitative analysis has attracted a lot of attention globally. A well-known and accurate method of anthocyanin quantification is based on spectrophotometric methods. However, these methods are subject to interference from impurities and need to be optimized for different plant matrixes and extraction conditions. Two experiments were designed to study (1) the effect of plant preparation methods (eg, fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried puree) on anthocyanin yield and (2) the effect of five anthocyanin extraction methods on anthocyanin yield of freeze-dried strawberry puree. Sample preparation methods did not have any effect on anthocyanin yield. Freeze-dried samples were used for their stability (ease of use and flexibility) to compare extraction methods. The anthocyanin yield was affected by the extraction method. Two methods containing chloroform gave the highest anthocyanin yield. One method with methanol:water:HCl gave intermediate results, and the pH differential and the other method with methanol:water:HCl (80:20:1) gave the lowest anthocyanin yields. Processing time (incubation time) was lowest in the pH differential method; however, the haze produced in this method may interfere with the spectrophotometric assessment of anthocyanins.

Total Anthocyanin Content of Strawberry and the Profile Changes by Extraction Methods and Sample Processing

Anthocyanins are the primarily pigments in many flowers, vegetables, and fruits and play a critical role in human and plant health. They are polyphenolic pigments that are soluble in water and usually quantified by spectrophotometric methods. The two main methods that quantify anthocyanins are pH differential and organic solvent-based methods. Our hypothesis was that these methods extract different anthocyanin profiles. Therefore, this experiment was designed to identify anthocyanin profiles that are extracted by pH differential and organic solvent-based methods and observe their total anthocyanin content from strawberries. Six methods were tested in this experiment to quantify and profile anthocyanins in strawberry fruits by spectrophotometry and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) respectively. Four methods used organic solvents (methanol, and chloroform-methanol) in different combinations. The next two methods were pH differential and a combination of organic solvent and the pH differential method. The results suggest that acidified chloroform-methanol extracted the highest anthocyanin content compared to water-based solvents. Methanol-water based solvents also performed better than methanol alone, because both methanol and water may extract different profiles of anthocyanins. Water-based extracts had the greatest absorbance at a lower wavelength (498 nm), followed by methanol (508 nm), and chloroform (530 nm). Chloroform-methanol solvent with higher pH (3.0) extracted pelargonidin as the main anthocyanin, while methanol and water-based solvents (with lower pH 1.0-2.0) extracted delphinidin as their main anthocyanin as identified by UHPLC. Therefore, chloroform-methanol and methanol-water solvents were the best solvents for extracting anthocyanins from strawberries. Also, freeze-dried strawberries had higher anthocyanin contents compared to fresh or frozen samples.

Anthocyanins: Traditional Uses, Structural and Functional Variations, Approaches to Increase Yields and Products' Quality, Hepatoprotection, Liver Longevity, and Commercial Products

Anthocyanins are water-soluble, colored compounds of the flavonoid class, abundantly found in the fruits, leaves, roots, and other parts of the plants. The fruit berries are prime sources and exhibit different colors. The anthocyanins utility as traditional medicament for liver protection and cure, and importance as strongest plants-based anti-oxidants have conferred these plants products different biological activities. These activities include anti-inflammation, liver protective, analgesic, and anti-cancers, which have provided the anthocyanins an immense commercial value, and has impelled their chemistry, biological activity, isolation, and quality investigations as prime focus. Methods in extraction and production of anthocyanin-based products have assumed vital economic importance. Different extraction techniques in aquatic solvents mixtures, eutectic solvents, and other chemically reactive extractions including low acid concentrations-based extractions have been developed. The prophylactic and curative therapy roles of the anthocyanins, together with no reported toxicity has offered much-needed impetus and economic benefits to these classes of compounds which are commercially available. Information retrieval from various search engines, including the PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, Scopus®, and Google Scholar®, were used in the review preparation. This imparted an outlook on the anthocyanins occurrence, roles in plants, isolation-extraction, structures, biosynthetic as well as semi- and total-synthetic pathways, product quality and yields enhancements, including uses as part of traditional medicines, and uses in liver disorders, prophylactic and therapeutic applications in liver protection and longevity, liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. The review also highlights the integrated approach to yields maximizations to meet the regular demands of the anthocyanins products, also as part of the extract-rich preparations together with a listing of marketed products available for human consumption as nutraceuticals/food supplements.

In vitro digestibility and Caco-2 cell bioavailability of sea lettuce (Ulva fenestrata) proteins extracted using pH-shift processing

Seaweed is a promising sustainable source of vegan protein as its farming does not require arable land, pesticides/insecticides, nor freshwater supply. However, to be explored as a novel protein source the content and nutritional quality of protein in seaweed need to be improved. We assessed the influence of pH-shift processing on protein degree of hydrolysis (%DH), protein/peptide size distribution, accessibility, and cell bioavailability of Ulva fenestrata proteins after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. pH-shift processing of Ulva, which concentrated its proteins 3.5-times, significantly improved the %DH from 27.7±2.6% to 35.7±2.1% and the amino acid accessibility from 56.9±4.1% to 72.7±0.6%. Due to the higher amino acid accessibility, the amount of most amino acids transported across the cell monolayers was higher in the protein extracts. Regarding bioavailability, both Ulva and protein extracts were as bioavailable as casein. The protein/peptide molecular size distribution after digestion did not disclose a clear association with bioavailability.

Identification of Anthocyanin Compounds in Butterfly Pea Flowers (Clitoria ternatea L.) by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ultraviolet Coupled to Mass Spectrometry

Butterfly pea flower have great sensory attraction, but they have not yet been used widely in Vietnam. Extracts of butterfly pea flowers can be used conveniently as a natural blue colorant for food products. In this study, the identification of anthocyanin compounds in butterfly pea flowers was performed by UPLC coupled with a UV and Mass spectrometer instrument. Positive and negative ion electrospray MS/MS chromatograms and spectra of the anthocyanin compounds were determined. By analyzing the chromatograms and spectra for each ion, five anthocyanins were identified in the butterfly pea flower extract; these were delphinidin-3-(6″-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-(6″-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroyl) glucose in both cis- and trans- isomers, cyanidin-3-(p-coumaroyl-glucoside) and delphinidin-3-pyranoside. Additionally, based on their intensity, it was determined that cyanidin-3-(p-coumaroyl-glucoside) was the most abundant anthocyanin, followed by cyanidin 3-(6″-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroyl-glucoside), delphinidin-3-(6″-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside and delphinidin-3-pyranoside. In this study, cyanidin derivatives were discovered in butterfly pea flower extract, where these compounds had not been detected in previous studies.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in blueberries and protective effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury

This work was conducted to optimize an accelerated solvent extraction for ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis of blueberry phenolic compounds. The conditions for accelerated solvent extraction were verified using response surface methodology to obtain the following optimized conditions: ethanol concentration (pH = 3), 48%; temperature, 50℃, and static cycle times, 3. Further, ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole tandem mass methods for determination of the detailed phenolic composition were developed and validated. Total of 81 phenolic compounds were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry including 23 anthocyanins, 32 flavonols, 11 proanthocyanidins, 2 other flavonoids, and 13 phenolic acids. Fifty-one of these compounds have been simultaneously quantified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole tandem mass including 31 anthocyanins, 8 flavonols, 6 proanthocyanidins, 2 other flavonoids, and 8 phenolic acids. Malvidin-dinhexoside has, for the first time, been detected in wild. Moreover, by verifying the protection on PC12 cells against oxidative damage, it was showed that the phenolic extracts (500 µg/mL) can improve significantly the viability (9.26-24.78%) of hydrogen peroxide-induced PC12 cells, activities of superoxide dismutase (34.59-37.90 U/mg) and glutathione peroxidase (6.87-14.42 mU/mg) and decrease the content of malonic dialdehyde (13.27-24.62 nmol/mg). Correlation analysis suggested that anthocyanins might contribute most to these activities.

Challenges, Progress and Promises of Impurities Annotation for LCMSIT- TOF

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Analysis of pharmaceutical products, as well as their active and inactive ingredients, and identification and characterization of potential impurities originating from raw materials and manufacturing processes is of importance in the field, especially for further assessment of potential positive or negative effects on the human body. In addition to expected therapeutic effects, unfortunately, some unwanted or adverse effects were encountered in the past, resulting in dramatic cases sometimes. These challenges have been overcome with the use of sophisticated and high-end analytical techniques today by focusing on developing more efficient, more accurate, more accessible, and faster determination techniques.

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One of the powerful techniques utilized under the given aim, especially for qualitative purposes, is the Time of Flight (TOF) based Mass Spectrometry (MS). Among the TOF-MS instruments, liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry-ion trap-time of flight (LCMS-IT-TOF) has a unique MSn capability, which is a versatile tool in exact mass prediction and structure elucidation. In this review, LCMS-ITTOF has been considered taking all aspects to account for its use in qualitative impurity profiling, and a retrospective view on previous studies was presented in an analytical manner.

Anthocyanins extraction from Hibiscus sabdariffa and identification of phenolic compounds associated with their stability

BACKGROUND

One of the main disadvantages of red pigments used in foods is their low extraction yield and storage stability. Roselle flowers are sources of anthocyanins; however, these are unstable during storage, but this could be improved with phenolic compounds, which establish bonds with the anthocyanins. The aim of this work was to identify conditions to improve the extraction efficiency and color stability of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and, furthermore, to identify the phenolic compounds associated with color stability of roselle.

RESULTS

The temperature of extraction (35 and 75 °C), the time of extraction (15 and 60 min), type of acid (acetic and citric), percentage of acid (0.5 and 2.0%) and the water:ethanol ratio (20:80 and 80:20) did not affect the yield of anthocyanins; only the solid:solvent ratio had an effect in the anthocyanin extraction yield. The extraction with 80% ethanol decreased up to 50% the anthocyanin degradation in the extracts stored at 4, 25, 35, 45, and 80 °C. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. These compounds were analyzed using principal component analysis, and the H. sabdariffa extract, with greater stability, was found to be associated with the presence of quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol 3-O-glucose, ellagic acid, and rutin.

CONCLUSION

H. sabdariffa extract with increased color stability was extracted with a higher proportion of ethanol and the improvement in the color stability was attributed to the co-extraction of phenolic compounds, principally flavonoids that could interact with anthocyanins and stabilize them. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Green Extraction Methods for Extraction of Polyphenolic Compounds from Blueberry Pomace

In this study, green extraction methods—high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), pulsed electric field (PEF), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)—were compared in terms of extraction yield of total and individual polyphenolic compounds, as well as the antioxidant capacity of blueberry pomace extracts. All extractions were performed with methanol- and ethanol-based solvents. The highest total polyphenols content (TPC) (10.52 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g of dry weight (dw)) and antioxidant activity (AA) (0.83 mmol TE/g dw) were obtained by PEF-assisted extraction in the ethanol-based solvent after 100 pulses and 20 kV/cm, which corresponds to an energy input of 41.03 kJ/kg. A total of eighteen individual polyphenols were identified in all investigated blueberry pomace extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography with the diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC-(HESI)-MS/MS). The highest anthocyanin (1757.32 µg/g of dw) and flavanol (297.86 µg/g of dw) yields were obtained in the methanol-based solvent, while the highest phenolic acid (625.47 µg/g of dw) and flavonol (157.54 µg/g of dw) yields were obtained in the ethanol-based solvent by PEF-assisted extraction at the energy input of 41.03 kJ/kg. These results indicated that PEF is a promising green extraction method which can improve the blueberry pomace’s polyphenol extraction yield.

The Chemical and Biological Profiles of Leaves from Commercial Blueberry Varieties

Blueberries have seen an ascending production line boosted by World Health Organization (WHO) approvals for their contributions to a healthy diet and the evidence that they act against different diseases. This increase resulted in significant amounts of discarded leaves, which could be a valuable source of bioactive compounds. In the present study, ultrasound-assisted extraction technology was used to determine and compare the chemical and biological profiles of leaves from six commercial blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) varieties. Feruloylquinic acid was the major compound identified, ranging from 19.23 ± 0.18 mg/g (at the lowest level, registered in the Spartan variety) to 49.62 ± 0.41 mg/g (at the highest level, registered in the Nelson variety). Rutin was the second major compound identified, for which Toro, Nelson, and Elliot leaves registered the highest values, with 35.77 ± 0.19 mg/g, 32.50 ± 0.20 mg/g, and 31.53 ± 0.1 mg/g, respectively. Even though analogous polyphenols were detected in the six cultivars, their concentrations and amounts were different. The leaf extracts of the cultivars Toro, Elliot, and Nelson appear to be good sources of antioxidants, registering high percentage inhibitions of DPPH radicals, of 70.41%, 68.42%, and 58.69%, respectively. The blueberry leaf extracts had a strong antibacterial activity and a low antifungal capacity, and a low-to-moderate antimutagenic capacity towards Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, with Toro leaf being the best candidate. All of these biological activities indicate health-related benefits, recommending them as suitable candidates for medical and pharmaceutical applications. The present paper adds significant knowledge to the field of blueberry leaves via chemical and biological profiles, supporting the ultrasound-assisted extraction technique as a useful and green method to provide alternative sources of bioactive compounds.

Glutathionyl-S-chlorogenic acid is present in fruit of Vaccinium species, potato tubers and apple juice

A hydroxycinnamate-like component was identified in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) fruit, which had identical UV and mass spectrometric properties to an S-linked glutathionyl conjugate of chlorogenic acid synthesized using a peroxidase-catalyzed reaction. The conjugate was present in fruits from all highbush blueberry genotypes grown in one season, reaching 7-20% of the relative abundance of 5-caffeoylquininc acid. It was enriched, along with anthocyanins, by fractionation on solid phase cation-exchange units. Mining of pre-existing LC-MS data confirmed that this conjugate was ubiquitous in highbush blueberries, but also present in other Vaccinium species. Similar data mining identified this conjugate in potato tubers with enrichment in peel tissues. In addition, the conjugate was also present in commercial apple juice and was stable to pasteurization and storage. Although glutathionyl conjugates of hydroxycinnamic acids have been noted previously, this is the first report of glutathionyl conjugates of chlorogenic acids in commonly-eaten fruits and vegetables.

Biostimulating Gut Microbiome with Bilberry Anthocyanin Combo to Enhance Anti-PD-L1 Efficiency against Murine Colon Cancer

Recent advances have revealed the essential role of gut microbiomes in the therapeutic efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Inspired by biostimulation, a method using nutrients to accelerate the growth of soil microorganisms and the recovery of soil microbial consortia, here we propose a bilberry anthocyanin combo containing chitosan and low molecular citrus pectin (LCP), in which LCP-chitosan is used to encapsulate anthocyanins so to enhance its digestive stability and, moreover, modulate the microbiome more favorable for the PD-L1 blockade treatment. Using murine MC38 colon cancer as a model system, we examined the effects of the combo on modulating the gut microbiome and therapeutic efficiency of PD-L1 blockade treatment. It was shown that bilberry anthocyanins enriched the subdominant species, increased both the concentration and the proportion of butyrate in feces and enhanced intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltrations. The application of the bilberry anthocyanin combo restored the species diversity of gut microbiome decreased by LCP-chitosan and achieved the best control of tumor growth. These preliminary results indicated unprecedented opportunities of probiotics combo in improving the therapeutic efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitor through manipulating gut microbiome.

Pyranoanthocyanins in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) wines fermented with Schizosaccharomyces pombe and their evolution during aging

Fifteen vitisin A-type pyranoanthocyanins (vAPs) were determined in bilberry wines fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe by HPLC-DAD and UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The fermentation involving S. pombe enhanced the production of vAPs compared to the fermentation with pure S. cerevisiae. The formation of vAPs correlated significantly with the decrease in the content of monomeric anthocyanins and pyruvic acid during 12 months of aging. vAPs were more stable than their corresponding monomeric anthocyanins. Methylation in the B-ring and glycosylation with galactose and arabinose further improved the stability of vAPs. Aging for 12 months led to depletion of pyruvic acid and reduction of over 50% of monomeric anthocyanins. The content of vAPs increased by 26-54% during the first six months of aging, followed by a 2.2-10.2% reduction over the following six months. More residual pyruvic acid in S. pombe wines after fermentation consequently enhanced the generation of vAPs during aging.

Ultrasound Treatment on Stability of Total and Individual Anthocyanin Extraction from Blueberry Pomace: Optimization and Comparison

Blueberry pomace is abundant in anthocyanins. This work characterized the anthocyanins in blueberry pomace, discussed the stability of anthocyanins under ultrasound treatment, and compared the extraction conditions for different anthocyanin compositions. Thirteen anthocyanins were identified, and malvidin-3-galactoside (18.56%), which represented the most abundant anthocyanin, was selected as the individual analyte. The general linear model univariate analysis revealed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) resulted in higher recoveries of both total anthocyanins (TA) and individual anthocyanins (IA) when compared with conventional solvent extraction. The optimized extraction conditions for TA and IA were UAE in pure methanol (12.49 mg/g dry weight) at 25 °C for 30 min and UAE in 70% ethanol (3.57 mg/g dry weight) at 40 °C for 40 min, respectively. Moreover, IA was more vulnerable to degradation compared with TA. Therefore, a specific extraction process of IA is significant for monomer preparation, and harsh conditions should be avoided in UAE.

Stability of blueberry anthocyanin, anthocyanidin and pyranoanthocyanidin pigments and their inhibitory effects and mechanisms in human cervical cancer HeLa cells

Anthocyan-rich foods have attracted lots of attention because of their potential biological and pharmacological applications. Anthocyanins richly exist in blueberry fruits and have been proved to possess various bioactive properties. Despite the potential application of anthocyanins in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, their use is limited because of their relative instability. Recently, much attention has been given to a particular family of anthocyanin derivatives, the pyranoanthocyanins that have been indicated to have higher stability than the original anthocyanins. However, the anti-cancer activity of pyranoanthocyanins is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis on the stability and anti-cancer activities of anthocyanins, anthocyanidins and pyranoanthocyanidins. Pyranoanthocyanidins exhibited the highest stability in the pH range 3.0-9.0, while anthocyanidins had the strongest inhibition on HeLa cells among the three anthocyan pigments. All the anthocyan pigments could effectively induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in conjunction with a marked increase in the expression of the p53 protein. Exposure of HeLa cells to three anthocyan pigments caused pronounced late apoptosis that might be involved in the activation of the p38 MAPK/p53 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that anthocyanidins and pyranoanthocyanidins might be more promising anti-cancer agents than anthocyanins and warrant further evaluation regarding the molecular mechanisms.

Tailoring bilberry powder functionality through preprocessing and drying

Berry powders are popular as ingredients in a range of food products, where they naturally provide flavor, color, texture, polyphenols, fiber, and other nutrients. The choices regarding processing techniques and conditions influence the quality attributes of berry powders. The aim of this study was to study the effects on bilberry powder functionalities of applying different preprocessing techniques (purée mixing and juice pressing vs. untreated whole berries) prior to hot air drying and milling. Drying of press cake reduced the drying time by 72% and increased the total apparent phenolic content of the final powder by 44%, as compared to the powder of dried whole berries. The press cake powder showed an easier flowing behavior than the powders from whole berries and puréed berries. Dispersibility (in water and dairy cream) was 60% higher for powders from whole berries and puréed berries, as compared to press cake. The total phenolic content of the dispersed powders was highest for whole berries and puréed berries. Bilberry powder functionality can be modulated through the selection of an appropriate preprocessing technique before drying and milling. This tailors the powder properties into food ingredients ready for different applications, without the need for additives.

Untargeted Metabolomics Analytical Strategy Based on Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Linear Ion Trap Quadrupole/Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry for Discovering New Polyphenol Metabolites in Human Biofluids after Acute Ingestion of Vaccinium myrtillus Berry Supplement

In this work, liquid chromatography, coupled with an electrospray ionization hybrid linear ion trap quadrupole/Orbitrap mass spectrometry, has been used to accurately identify polyphenol metabolites in human serum and urine after acute ingestion of a V. myrtillus berry supplement. The supplement was obtained by cryo-milling of bilberries, which were freeze-dried within 1 week after their harvesting, to maintain the berry native composition. Thirty-six derivatives of benzoic acids, hydroxyhippuric acids, cinnamic acids, phenylpropionic acids, phenylvaleric acids, phenylpentenoic acids and abscisic acid, together with two berry-native anthocyanins, one flavonol metabolite and two catechol derivatives were putatively identified in the investigated biofluids. The annotated compounds included 13 metabolites, among glucuronides and sulphates of phenylvaleric and phenylpentenoic acids, which have been identified for the first time in human biofluids after ingestion of V. myrtillus berries. It should be emphasized that the presence of phenylvaleric and phenylpentenoic acid derivatives is in agreement with their origin from fruit native flavanol monomers and oligomers, which are widely distributed in Vaccinium berries, but usually overlooked in metabolomics studies regarding bilberry. The identification of these compounds confirmed the key-role of untargeted metabolomics approach in the discovery of new metabolites which could be biologically active. Graphical Abstract.

Tailoring bilberry powder functionality through processing: Effects of drying and fractionation on the stability of total polyphenols and anthocyanins

Bilberries are a rich natural source of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. The press cake obtained during the processing of bilberry juice is a potential source of phytochemicals. The objective of this study was to evaluate different drying techniques and the fractionation of bilberry press cake powder toward obtaining phenolic-rich ingredients for incorporation into value-added food products. The derived powders were dispersed in water and dairy cream, to investigate the effects of drying and fractionation on the dispersibility and solubility of phenolic compounds. The drying techniques, hot air drying and microwave drying, applied on bilberry press cake reduced the content of total phenolics and anthocyanins. The degradation was, however, consistently small and similar for both techniques. The major anthocyanins detected in the samples were stable during drying and fractionation treatments. Fractionation of the press cake powder affected the total apparent phenolic content and composition of the different fractions. The highest phenolic content (55.33 ± 0.06 mg g-1 DW) and highest anthocyanin content (28.15 ± 0.47 mg g-1 DW) were found in the fractions with the smallest particle size (<500 μm), with delphinidin-3-O-galactoside being the most abundant anthocyanin. Dispersibility of all dried powder samples was higher in dairy cream than water, and the highest level of anthocyanins was measured in samples from the powder with the smallest particle size (<500 μm), dispersed in cream. The application of drying, milling and fractionation was found to be a promising approach to transform bilberry press cake into stable and deliverable ingredients that can be used for fortification of food products with high levels of phenolic compounds.

Health promoting properties of blueberries: a review

With the strengthening of the link between diet and health, several foodstuffs have emerged as possessing potential health benefits such as phenolic rich fruits and vegetables. Blueberries, along with other berries, given their flavonoid and antioxidant content have long since been considered as a particularly interesting health promoting fruit. Therefore, the present work aimed to compile the existing evidences regarding the various potential benefits of blueberry and blueberry based products consumption, giving particular relevance to in vivo works and epidemiological studies whenever available. Overall, the results demonstrate that, while the evidences that support a beneficial role of blueberry and blueberry extracts consumption, further human based studies are still needed.

Prevention of Atherosclerosis by Berries: The Case of Blueberries

Berry consumption has been associated with cardiovascular disease prevention in recent years. Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of cardiovascular diseases. However, research on the prevention of atherosclerosis through consuming individual whole berries, specifically direct evidence, remains scarce. Therefore, further elucidating the role that berries play in the prevention of atherosclerosis is warranted. In this perspective, blueberries were selected to articulate research strategies for studying atheroprotective effects of berries. Studies from human subjects and various animal models are summarized. The mechanisms by which blueberries may act, through reducing oxidative stress, decreasing inflammation, improving endothelial dysfunction, regulating cholesterol accumulation and trafficking, along with potentially influencing gut microbiota, are also discussed. Blueberries contain high levels of polyphenolic compounds, which were widely indicated as major bioactive compounds. Nonetheless, the metabolites/catabolites after blueberry consumption, such as simple phenolic acids, rather than original compounds in berries, may be the actual in vivo bioactive compounds. Future research should focus on obtaining more direct evidence, preferably in humans, understanding of the mechanisms of action at the molecular level, and identifying bioactive compounds as well as which compounds act synergistically to convey health benefits. The research strategy discussed here may also be applied to the studies of other fruits and berries.