Quantitative comparison of phytochemical profile, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of blackberry fruits adapted to Argentina

Research Progress on Methods for the Deacidification of Small Berry Juice: An Overview

As some of the richest sources of natural antioxidants, small berry fruits have attractive colors and special tastes, with recognized benefits for human health. However, sour tastes in small berry juices result in a poor flavor and low acceptance among consumers, greatly limiting their marketability. Among the most commonly used deacidification methods, chemical deacidification methods can neutralize fruit juice via the addition of a deacidification agent, while physical deacidification methods include freezing deacidification, ion-exchange resin deacidification, electrodialysis deacidification, and chitosan deacidification. All of these methods can markedly improve the pH of fruit juice, but they introduce new substances into the juice that may have an influence on its color, taste, and stability. Biological deacidification can effectively remove malic acid from fruit juice, reducing the content from 15 g/L to 3 g/L; additionally, it maintains the taste and stability of the juice. Therefore, it is widely applied for fruit juice deacidification. On this basis, some compound deacidification technologies have also emerged, but they also present problems such as high costs and complicated working procedures. This review of deacidification methods for small berry juice provides a foundation for the industrial development of such juices.

Anthocyanin-Rich Berry Extracts Affect SN-38-Induced Response: A Comparison of Non-Tumorigenic HCEC-1CT and HCT116 Colon Carcinoma Cells

Chemotherapy with irinotecan (CPT-11), the pro-drug of the highly cytotoxic SN-38, is among the standard-of-care treatments for colorectal cancer. To counteract undesired toxic side effects on healthy tissue such as the intestinal epithelium, the use of preparations rich in polyphenols with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties such as anthocyanins has been proposed. In the present study, the question of whether non-tumorigenic human epithelium cells (HCEC-1CT) can be protected against the cytotoxic impact of SN-38 by anthocyanin-rich polyphenol extracts without compromising the desired therapeutic effect against tumor cells (HCT-116) was addressed. Hence, single and combinatory effects of anthocyanin-rich polyphenol extracts of elderberry (EB), bilberry (Bil), blackberry (BB) and black currant (BC) with the chemotherapeutic drug SN-38 were investigated. Out of the extracts, BB showed the most potent concentration-dependent cytotoxicity alone and in combination with SN-38, with even stronger effects in non-tumorigenic HCEC-1CT cells. In cytotoxic concentrations, BB decreased the level of DNA/topoisomerase I covalent complexes in HCEC-1CT cells below base level but without concomitant reduction in SN-38-induced DNA strand breaks. The herein reported data argue towards an interference of anthocyanins with successful treatment of cancer cells and a lack of protective properties in healthy cells.

Trends in maintaining postharvest freshness and quality of Rubus berries

Blackberries and raspberries, commonly known as Rubus berries, are commercially grown worldwide across different climates. Rubus berries contain wide array of phytochemicals, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, these berries have short storage life which is the major constraint in their supply chains leading to higher postharvest losses. Inappropriate harvest handling, physical bruising, insect pests, and postharvest diseases lower the acceptability of fruit among consumers and other supply chain stakeholders. Additionally, the susceptibility to microbial decay, fruit softening, higher ethylene production, respiratory activity, and increased oxidation of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids considerably affects the marketability of Rubus berries at domestic and international markets. To date, several postharvest strategies such as cold storage, precooling, modified and controlled atmospheres, anti-ripening chemicals, edible coatings, biological agents, and nonchemical alternatives (heat treatment, ultrasound, irradiations, ozone) have been reported to prolong storage life, ensure food safety, and maintain the nutritional quality of Rubus berries. This review briefly encompasses multiple aspects including harvest maturity indices, regulation of fruit ripening, pre and postharvest factors affecting fruit quality, and an update on postharvest quality preservation by employing postharvest technologies to extend the storage life and maintaining the bioactive compounds in Rubus berries which are lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this review provides valuable information to the industry stakeholders and scientists offering relevant solutions, limitations in the application of certain technologies at commercial scale, highlighting research gaps, and paving the way forward for future investigations.

Yellow Himalayan Raspberry (Rubus ellipticus Sm.): Ethnomedicinal, Nutraceutical, and Pharmacological Aspects

Yellow Himalayan raspberry (Rubus ellipticus Sm., Rosaceae) is a native species of the Indian subcontinent, Southern China, and the Philippines, which has been historically used as a traditional medicine and food. All of the parts of this plant have been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory ailments, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorder, and as an anti-infective agent. The scientific evaluation revealed a richness of macronutrients, micronutrients, and minerals in the fruits, indicating its potential use as a nutraceutical. Furthermore, this plant has been found to be rich in various secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and terpenoids. Ascorbic acid, kaempferol, gallic acid, and catechin are some of the compounds found in this plant, which have been widely discussed for their health benefits. Furthermore, various extracts and compounds obtained from R. ellipticus have shown antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, and anti-infective activities investigated through different study models. These findings in the literature have validated some of the widespread uses of the fruits in folk medicinal systems and the consumption of this nutritious wild fruit by local communities. In conclusion, R. ellipticus holds strong potential for its development as a nutraceutical. It can also improve the nutritional status of villagers and uplift the economy if properly utilized and marketed.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Blackberry Seed Oil: Optimization and Oil Characterization

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to extract oil from blackberry (BB) seeds. The effect of UAE conditions on oil recovery and quality was investigated. Favorable experimental conditions (ultrasound intensity (UI), extraction temperature, and time) were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). A Box–Behnken design was used to predict optimized conditions for BB seed oil extraction. These conditions were as follows: 13.77 W/cm2 UI, 45 °C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The experimental value obtained for extraction efficiency under optimal conditions was 87 ± 0.34%, in good agreement with the optimized predicted value. UAE does not affect the oil composition and confers higher antioxidant values in BB seed oil in comparison with Soxhlet extraction.

Plasticity in oviposition and foraging behavior in the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii across natural and agricultural landscapes

The effects and extent of the impacts of agricultural insect pests in and around cropping systems is a rich field of study. However, little research exists on the presence and consequence of pest insects in undisturbed landscapes distant from crop hosts. Research in such areas may yield novel or key insights on pest behavior or ecology that is not evident from agroecosystem-based studies. Using the invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) as a case study, we investigated the presence and resource use patterns of this agricultural pest in wild blackberries growing within the southern Appalachian Mountain range of North Carolina over 2 years. We found D. suzukii throughout the sampled range with higher levels of infestation (D. suzukii eggs/g fruit) in all ripeness stages in natural areas when compared with cultivated blackberry samples, but especially in under-ripe fruit. We also explored a direct comparison of oviposition preference between wild and cultivated fruit and found higher oviposition in wild berries when equal weights of fruit were offered, but oviposition was higher in cultivated berries when fruit number was equal. Forest populations laid more eggs in unripe wild-grown blackberries throughout the year than populations infesting cultivated berries. This suggests D. suzukii may change its oviposition and foraging behavior in relation to fruit type. Additionally, as D. suzukii exploits a common forest fruit prior to ripeness, further research is needed to explore how this affects wild food web dynamics and spillover to regional agroecosystems.

Comprehensive Evaluation of 24 Red Raspberry Varieties in Northeast China Based on Nutrition and Taste

Red raspberry is a kind of fruit with high nutritional values. To evaluate the comprehensive quality of 24 red raspberry varieties in Northeast China, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds and sensory characteristics were measured, followed by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). Altogether, eight important property indexes for processing attributes were selected out using PCA, including titratable acidity (TAC), sugar-acid ratio (SAR), pH, length, diameter, weight, sucrose and citric acid. Six individual sugars, including l-rhamnose monohydrate, fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose and d-trehalose anhydrous, as well as eight organic acids, including oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid and succinic acid, were identified in red raspberry. The two main clusters according to individual sugar, organic acids and SAR indicated that varieties including ‘European red’, ‘DNS9’, ‘Bulgaskc’, ‘Canby’ and ‘Samodiva’ were suitable for fresh-eating or processing to juice or other products directly because they had suitable SAR; other varieties with relatively low SAR were unsuitable for fresh-eating and need to adjust their excessive sour taste during processing.

Enhancement on antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and antibacterial activities of blackberry anthocyanins by processes optimization involving extraction and purification

This research aimed to recover anthocyanin-rich extracts from blackberry (Rubus spp. Hull cultivar) by optimizing the processing conditions, and to characterize anthocyanin individuals and determine influences of optimization on enhancement of antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of anthocyanins as natural supplements. The ethanol concentration of 69.87%, HCl dosage of 0.53%, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:19.06 at 47.68°C for 17.04 h were optimal to obtain the highest extraction yield of anthocyanins at 0.72 mg/g. By using AB-8 macroporous resins, the anthocyanin concentration of 3.0 mg/mL, ethanol concentration of 90%, and elution rate of 2.0 mL/min were selected to boost the anthocyanin purity up to be 60.11%. Moreover, the purified anthocyanin extracts from blackberry contained nine main pigments which could be divided into three aglycone-based forms, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was the most abundant among them. Due to the successive processes of extraction and purification, the blackberry purified anthocyanin extracts (BA-PAE) showed much higher bioactive capacities than the blackberry crude anthocyanin extracts (BA-CAE) and blackberry fruit slurry extracts (BA-FSE), e.g., DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities (EC₅₀ = 0.08 and 0.04, 0.32 and 0.24, and 1.31 and 0.41 mg/mL), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (1.60, 0.59, and 0.15 mmol TEAC/g), cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress in PC12 cells (1.69-, 1.58-, and 1.50-fold cell viability compared to oxidative group), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ = 0.10 and 0.06, 0.56 and 0.32, and 3.98 and 2.16 mg/mL), and antibacterial activity (93.23, 40.85, and 80.42% reduced biofilm).

Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Anthocyanins and Non-Anthocyanin Flavonoids in Blackberry from Different Growth Stages

The high nutritional value and unique flavor of blackberries make them a popular food choice among consumers. Anthocyanin content (AC) and non-anthocyanin flavonoid content (NAFC) are important functional components in blackberry. We tested the AC, NAFC, and antioxidant activities of two blackberry—Ningzhi 1 and Hull—during the following ripening stages: green-fruit stage (GFS), color-turning stage (CTS), reddening stage (RDS), and ripening stage (RPS). The results showed that NAFC decreased and AC increased gradually during the ripening stages. The NAFC of Hull blackberry was the highest during GFS (889.74 μg/g), while the AC of Ningzhi 1 blackberry was the highest during RPS (1027.08 μg/g). NAFC was the highest at the initial stage and gradually decreased with ripening. Anthocyanin accumulation mainly occurred during the later ripening stages. These results provide a reference for comparing the NAFC, AC, and antioxidant activity of Ningzhi 1 and Hull and their changes during different ripening stages.

Assessment of cactus pear leather (pestil) as a new snack food

In this study, selected nutritional and functional properties of cactus pear and cactus pear leather (pestil) processed with different dryers (oven type and pilot scale tray dryers) were evaluated. For this aim, the fruits collected from three different districts of Turkey were processed and the most suitable region and processing method were investigated. Processing with different dryers had significant (p < 0.05) impact on total acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, color and hydroxymethylfurfural values of pestil samples and the best results including antioxidant capacity (66.91-70.25%) and total phenolics (1.79-2.01 g gallic acid equivalent per kg) were obtained with the tray dryer. On the other hand, mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) of the products were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected from different dryers. Pestil obtained by tray drying gave the highest rate for the taste. According to the results, the fruits collected from the Aegean region of Turkey were more convenient for processing. Because there is a limited number of studies on this fruit, data provided in the present study may also contribute to further studies.

Colorant and antioxidant properties of freeze-dried extracts from wild berries: use of ultrasound-assisted extraction method and drivers of liking of colored yogurts

This work aimed at developing powders rich in antioxidants and pigments from two wild berries: maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and murra (Rubus ulmifolius). Fruits were subjected to successive ultrasound-assisted extractions (UAE) and then freeze-dried. Physical properties, anthocyanin stability of powders, and their performance as natural colorants in yogurts were evaluated. The optimum extraction methods were: UAE for 10 min in murra, and without UAE (control) in maqui, with juice extraction yields ranging between 80 and 82%. Maqui powder exhibited ≈ 2.8 times more polyphenol and anthocyanin content than murra. However, murra powder showed better stability characteristics as powder colorant since it exhibited greater protection of anthocyanins by means of copigmentation phenomena. Regarding consumer's perception of colored yogurt, samples with 4% and 8% maqui powder could be considered as future prototypes to be launched into the market. The obtained powders may be used in different industrial food applications.

Immunomodulatory Properties of Blackberry Anthocyanins in THP-1 Derived Macrophages

An anthocyanin-rich diet is considered to protect against chronic inflammatory processes although the bioavailability of anthocyanins is regarded as rather low. Moreover, the immunomodulatory role of anthocyanins is not fully understood yet. In the present study, fractions of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) juice were investigated in plasma-relevant concentrations with respect to their immunomodulatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged THP-1-derived macrophages. The complex blackberry extract acted ineffective as well as potential degradation products. Cyanidin-3O-glucoside (Cy3glc), the main constituent of blackberry anthocyanins, diminished TNF-α levels at a concentration of 0.02 µg/mL, indicating protective effects as measured with quantitative RT-PCR and multiplex cytokine assays. LPS-boosted activity of transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) of differentiated THP-1 reporter gene cells was marginally inhibited by Cy3glc. LPS-induced microRNA-155 was further increased, supporting the evidence of protection. Of note, fractions obtained from blackberry juice, in particular cyanidin-3O-(6″-dioxalylglucoside), were displaying potential pro-inflammatory properties as these elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels. In conclusion, highly purified anthocyanin fractions of blackberry juice display both anti- and pro-inflammatory properties at plasma-relevant concentrations depending on their structure and substitution pattern.

Almond (Prunus dulcis cv. Casteltermini) Skin Confectionery By-Products: New Opportunity for the Development of a Functional Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) Jam

This work proposes for the first time a model for reusing almond (Prunus dulcis cv. Casteltermini from Sicily, Southern Italy) skin to formulate a new functional blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) jam. For this purpose, blackberries were analysed fresh and as jam, traditionally prepared with a minimum fruit amount of 80%. Different percentages of almond skin (20, 15, and 10% w/w) were added to jam. The phytochemical profile of enriched jam was investigated by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS analyses. Anthocyanins, hydrolysable tannins, and triterpenoids were identified in a blackberry extract, while proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and oxylipins were identified in an almond extract. The n-hexane extract of P. dulcis skin, investigated by GC-MS, evidenced linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids as the main abundant compounds. Samples were investigated for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, and FRAP tests. The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects were studied by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory assays. In order to evaluate the effect of thermal process on enriched jam bioactivity, pasteurisation was applied. An increase in activities for all samples was observed, in particular for jam enriched with 20% w/w of almond skin. Based on obtained data, and supported by sensory analysis, we propose enriched jam as a promising source of compounds useful for preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Fruit Quality Characteristics and Biochemical Composition of Fully Ripe Blackberries Harvested at Different Times

We investigated how the quality of blackberry fruit changes during the ripening period. Since it is difficult to predict picking dates for blackberries, we were interested in how the quality of fully ripe fruit changed depending on the sampling date (from 28 July to 1 September). Blackberries (at full ripeness) were sampled at six weekly intervals and the contents of sugars, vitamin C, organic acids and phenolic components were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The colour parameters, total soluble solids and weight of the fruits were also measured. The results showed that the fruits at the last sampling had a significantly lower fruit weight and higher soluble solids. 'Cacanska Bestrna' had the highest fruit weight and vitamin C content (11.43 mg/100 g). The main sugars in blackberries were fructose (13.8-33.4 g/kg FW) and glucose (13.0-33.2 g/kg FW). 'Loch Ness' and 'Navaho' had a sweeter taste since they had the highest ratio of sugars and acids (S/A approx. 5.8) and 'Smoothstem' and 'Thornfree' had the sourest taste, with a ratio of S/A 2.5. Blackberries harvested at the first two samplings had lower anthocyanin contents than fruits from later sampling times. There were no significant differences in the content of flavonols, ellagitannins, flavanols or hydroxycinnamic acids during the ripening period. The content of vitamin C in the fruits did not change among samplings, but the fruits had a higher content of organic acids at the first two or three samplings. The results may be useful for both the processing industry and growers to set quality standards for each variety and to determine the optimal harvest time.

Genetic Differentiation in Anthocyanin Content among Berry Fruits

Anthocyanins are widely distributed secondary metabolites that play an essential role in skin pigmentation of many plant organs and microorganisms. Anthocyanins have been associated with a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. They are also effective agents in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases. Berries are particularly abundant in these compounds; therefore, their dietary intake has health-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the anthocyanin content in selected species and cultivars of berry fruits, such as raspberry, blackberry, red currant, blackcurrant, and highbush blueberry, widely consumed by Europeans. The concentrations of anthocyanins were determined by HPLC, identifying individual compounds: cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, and malvidin-3-O-galactoside. The experimental data showed that the selected species and cultivars of berry fruits differ significantly in the contents of anthocyanins. Among all species tested, blackberry and blackcurrant were characterized significantly by the highest content of anthocyanins (sum), while the lowest content was found in red currant fruits. Additionally, the content of individual anthocyanin compounds in particular species and cultivars was also different. Considering the high content of anthocyanins and their potential positive impact on human health and protection against disease, berries should be part of healthy nutrition.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Potential Food Preserving Properties of Rubus Discolor (Rosaceae) Fruit Extracts

The presented study was aimed at exploring the bioactive properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial and food preserving) and chemical composition of R. discolor fruits collected from 2 geographically distinct wild-growing populations and extracted by using different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and water). The total phenol (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and anthocyanin (TAC) content varied from 52.7 to 186.8 mg GAE/g, 3.5 to 7.0 mg QE/g and 11.1 to 28.2 mg/g dry weight (dw), respectively. HPLC-DAD analysis identified cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-Glu) as the dominant anthocyanin that ranged in concentration from 18.4 to 32.2 mg/g dw. The acetone extract revealed the highest antioxidant activity through the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total reducing power (TRC) and ß-carotene bleaching in vitro methods. The examined extracts showed antimicrobial activity, being more effective against Gram-positive (G+) than Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Furthermore, Candida glabrata was the most susceptible among the pathogenic yeasts. The ethanol fruit extract was the most active against Listeria monocytogenes and thus chosen for incorporation in yoghurt and further analyses regarding its food preserving properties, which confirmed its efficacy towards this food-borne pathogen. Additionally, panelists gave high marks to the novel product regarding color, taste, texture flavor and overall acceptance. The obtained results indicated that R. discolor fruit extracts exhibits notable bioactivity and might therefore be considered as a good platform for the development of new preparations to be used in the food industry.

Chemical Composition and Bioactive Properties of Commercial and Non-Commercial Purple and White Açaí Berries

Chemical composition analysis of açaí extracts revealed higher levels of total polyphenol content in purple açaí samples for both commercial (4.3–44.7 gallic acid equivalents mg/g) and non-commercial samples (30.2–42.0 mg/g) compared to white (8.2–11.9 mg/g) and oil samples (0.8–4.6 mg/g). The major anthocyanin compounds found in purple açaí samples were cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside with total concentrations in the range of 3.6–14.3 cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents mg/g. The oligomeric proanthocyanidins were quantified in the range of 1.5–6.1 procyanidin B1 equivalents mg/g. Moreover, açaí presented significant levels of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc and copper, essential minor and trace elements, in comparison with other berries. All of the açaí extracts at 50 μg/mL potently inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells, but none inhibited the release of nitric oxide. Furthermore, all the açaí samples demonstrated potential as wound healing agents due to the high levels of migration activity in human fibroblast cells.

Berry Phenolic and Volatile Extracts Inhibit Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells through Suppression of NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Berries are a rich source of phytochemicals, especially phenolics well known for protective activity against many chronic diseases. Berries also contain a complex mixture of volatile compounds that are responsible for the unique aromas of berries. However, there is very limited information on the composition and potential health benefits of berry volatiles. In this study, we isolated phenolic and volatile fractions from six common berries and characterized them by HPLC/HPLC-MS and GC/GC-MS, respectively. Berry phenolic and volatile fractions were evaluated for an anti-inflammatory effect using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by measuring levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Results showed that LPS-induced excessive production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which were inhibited by berry phenolic and volatile extracts. Moreover, berry phenolic and volatile extracts reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by blocking the phosphorylation of p65 and degradation of IκBα. These findings showed that berry volatiles from six berries had comparable anti-inflammatory effects to berry phenolics through the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines expression via NF-κB down-regulation, despite being present in the fruit at a lower concentration.

Anthocyanins, Vibrant Color Pigments, and Their Role in Skin Cancer Prevention

Until today, numerous studies evaluated the topic of anthocyanins and various types of cancer, regarding the anthocyanins' preventative and inhibitory effects, underlying molecular mechanisms, and such. However, there is no targeted review available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of dietary anthocyanins on skin cancers. If diagnosed at the early stages, the survival rate of skin cancer is quite high. Nevertheless, the metastatic form has a short prognosis. In fact, the incidence of melanoma skin cancer, the type with high mortality, has increased exponentially over the last 30 years, causing the majority of skin cancer deaths. Malignant melanoma is considered a highly destructive type of skin cancer due to its particular capacity to grow and spread faster than any other type of cancers. Plants, in general, have been used in disease treatment for a long time, and medicinal plants are commonly a part of anticancer drugs on the market. Accordingly, this work primarily aims to emphasize the most recent improvements on the anticarcinogenic effects of anthocyanins from different plant sources, with an in-depth emphasis on melanoma skin cancer. We also briefly summarized the anthocyanin chemistry, their rich dietary sources in flowers, fruits, and vegetables, as well as their associated potential health benefits. Additionally, the importance of anthocyanins in topical applications such as their use in cosmetics is also given.

Alaskan Berry Extracts Promote Dermal Wound Repair Through Modulation of Bioenergetics and Integrin Signaling

Various wild berry species endemic to Alaska and the circumpolar North that exhibit unique medicinal properties have long been appreciated by indigenous Arctic communities. Traditional use of Alaskan berry preparations in the treatment of skin wounds is recorded but has not been scientifically evaluated. Alaskan wild berries feature diverse phytochemical compositions that contain a variety of bioactive polyphenols exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for wound healing interventions and natural anti-aging cosmeceutical formulations. Given increasing interest in identifying biologically active plant constituents for wound care and cosmeceutical applications, the objective of this study was to screen several wild berry species endemic to Alaska and the circumpolar Artic for wound healing and in the crude, polyphenol-enriched, and further fractionated extracts of: Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), Vaccinium uliginosum (bog blueberry), and V. vitis-idaea (low-bush cranberry or lingonberry). A cell migration assay with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) was performed to model promotion of wound closure, revealing that bog blueberry extract most actively promoted migration, whereas divergent effects observed with other berry extracts were related to compositional disparities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response variables measured in RAW 264.7 macrophages [reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO production, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression] were suppressed by most extracts/fractions, but especially bog blueberry and proanthocyanidin (PAC) fractions. Wild berry germplasm contained abundant complex flavonoid structures such as PAC and anthocyanins (ANCs), associated with enhanced repair and inflammatory resolution in these models. Next, underlying mechanisms by which PACs and bioactive metabolites (B2 dimer and epicatechin) could influence wound repair and tissue regeneration were examined. PAC metabolites promoted scratch-wound closure and appeared to exert the highest impacts on early stages of wound healing through stimulating mitochondrial bioenergetics (basal respiration, ATP production, and maximum respiratory capacity) and upregulating expression of important extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (integrin-ß1 and collagen type I α2 chain). Targeting cellular bioenergetics and integrin-mediated cell–ECM signaling with bioactives from Alaskan wild berries shows considerable therapeutic promise to treat chronic skin wounds and inflammatory skin disorders, as well as more generally to support regenerative healing responses and restore function in a variety of tissue and organ settings after injury or aging.

Blueberry polyphenol-protein food ingredients: The impact of spray drying on the in vitro antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory markers, glucose metabolism and fibroblast migration

Wild blueberry pomace extract complexed with wheat or chickpea flour or soy protein isolate produced spray dried and freeze-dried polyphenol-protein particles. To evaluate the impact of spray drying on the biological activity of these food ingredients in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, regulation of glucose metabolism and ability to stimulate fibroblast migration were tested. Extracts from polyphenol-protein particles significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and down-regulated the gene expression of inflammation markers (COX-2 and IL-1β). Milder suppression of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression was evident. The extracts significantly inhibited phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and accelerated fibroblast cell migration up to 3-fold after 24 h. Complexed polyphenols retained their structural integrity and bioactive potency for both lyophilized and spray dried treatments. The data suggests that spray drying is a convenient and cost-effective technique to produce blueberry-polyphenol food ingredients with preserved phytochemicals with biological activities.

Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott): Chemical composition, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in two edible stages

The berries of the genus Rubus has been highlighted as important source of bioactive and health promoting constituents, however, information about chemical composition and antioxidant potential of the specie Rubus ulmifolius are still scarce. In this regard, this study aimed to assess the physicochemical characteristics, total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), individual phenolics, minerals, sugars, and antioxidant properties of mature and fully mature R. ulmifolius. With the advance of maturation, changes in the physicochemical composition suggest pleasant characteristics for consumption especially in the fully mature stage. High levels of TMA and sugars (fructose and glucose) were also verified in the fully mature stage, as well as, expressive antioxidant potential, with values of 241.06 μM Fe⁺² g^-1 for ferric reducing antioxidant power and 28.22 mg gallic acid equivalent g^-1 for Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (all expressed in dry matter, DM). In contrast, minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium) and most of the studied phenolic compounds showed the highest concentrations in mature fruits. Among the phenolics investigated, 26 compounds were identified and quercetin and isoquercitrin were the predominant phenolic compounds in the fruit. The results reinforce the nutritive and antioxidant potential of Rubus ulmifolius in both maturation stages studied.

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of polyphenolic extracts from strawberry and blackberry fruits

The polyphenolic profiles by HPLC-TOF-MS of strawberry 'San Andreas' and blackberry 'Black Satin' crude extracts (CE) were analyzed. Anthocyanin-enriched fractions (AEFs) and proanthocyanidin-enriched fractions (PEFs) were prepared, and all samples were probed for in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects in a LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model and in a skin fibroblast migration and proliferation assay, respectively. Blackberry samples exhibited higher ROS reduction than strawberry's (up to 50% ROS suppression). Berries CEs exhibited 20% inhibition in Cox-2 gene expression, while AEFs and PEFs were inactive at the same concentration. Strawberry AEF and PEF were more active against IL-1β and IL-6 gene expressions than the similar fractions from blackberry, where PEF was more active than AEF (75% suppression by strawberry PEF). Moreover, berry PEFs were the active polyphenol fraction against iNOS gene expression (50% and 65% gen suppression by strawberry and blackberry PEF, respectively), mirroring results of NO synthesis suppression. The cell migration potential of berry polyphenolics was associated with anthocyanins. AEFs showed fibroblast migration around 50% of that registered for the positive control. Results obtained in this work highlight the anti-inflammatory properties of berry polyphenolics, especially due to proanthocyanidins. Moreover, promising results were obtained about the effects of berry anthocyanins on wound healing.

Transport of cellular water during drying: An understanding of cell rupturing mechanism in apple tissue

The cellular structure of food tissue is complex, and it is difficult to understand the morphological changes during drying. Three different cellular environments, namely intracellular space, intercellular space, and cell wall in food tissue contain a different proportion of water. It is crucial to understand the moisture migration mechanisms from different cellular environments during drying for improving energy efficiency and for ensuring better quality dried foods. Due to the lack of sufficient understanding of transport mechanisms of different types of water, existing mathematical models for food drying have been developed without considering these components separately. Therefore, the main aim of the present work is to investigate the transport mechanisms of cellular water during drying. Experiments were performed using ¹H NMR T₂ relaxometry to investigate the proportion of different types of water at various stages of drying, taking apple as a sample. It was found that intercellular water migrates from intracellular region to the intercellular spaces mainly through rupturing of the cell membranes during drying of apple tissue. The cell membrane ruptures take place at various stages of drying rather than collapsing at one time. Interestingly, the trends of rupturing the cell membranes follow mostly a uniform pattern as rupturing takes places almost at a regular interval. The results were compared with the rupturing mechanism in the low porous material (potato) reported in authors' previous study. It was also observed that most of the cell membranes of potato tissue rupture at middle stages of drying while apple tissues rapture mostly uniformly. The penetration rate of heat energy with the pressure gradient between intracellular and intercellular environments are the predominant factors that cause the rupturing the cell membranes.

Cellular water distribution, transport, and its investigation methods for plant-based food material

Heterogeneous and hygroscopic characteristics of plant-based food material make it complex in structure, and therefore water distribution in its different cellular environments is very complex. There are three different cellular environments, namely the intercellular environment, the intracellular environment, and the cell wall environment inside the food structure. According to the bonding strength, intracellular water is defined as loosely bound water, cell wall water is categorized as strongly bound water, and intercellular water is known as free water (FW). During food drying, optimization of the heat and mass transfer process is crucial for the energy efficiency of the process and the quality of the product. For optimizing heat and mass transfer during food processing, understanding these three types of waters (strongly bound, loosely bound, and free water) in plant-based food material is essential. However, there are few studies that investigate cellular level water distribution and transport. As there is no direct method for determining the cellular level water distributions, various indirect methods have been applied to investigate the cellular level water distribution, and there is, as yet, no consensus on the appropriate method for measuring cellular level water in plant-based food material. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review on the available methods to investigate the cellular level water, the characteristics of water at different cellular levels and its transport mechanism during drying. The effect of bound water transport on quality of food product is also discussed. This review article presents a comparative study of different methods that can be applied to investigate cellular water such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dilatometry. The article closes with a discussion of current challenges to investigating cellular water.

Dietary nutritional profile and phenolic compounds consumption in school children of highlands of Argentine Northwest

The objective of this work was to assess dietary patterns and consumption of phenolic compounds from fruits and vegetables byschoolchildren of high altitude regions from northwest of Argentina. A nutritional survey including food-frequency consumption, 24-h dietary recall and anthropometric measurements was applied to 241 children from 6 to 12years old. The amounts of the different classes of phenolic compounds were established from Food Composition Tables available in phenol-explorer website. Statistics analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 20.0. Nutritional status assessment showed underweight (2.2%), low weight (12.7%), overweight (12.7%) and obesity (7.4%). Mean intake of phenolic compounds was 412mg/day. Most consumed foods were infusions and sugar products, consumption of vegetables, fruits and dairy products were low compared to recommendations for this age. Considering that polyphenols have protective health effects, its low consumption could be a risk of development of chronic non communicable diseases.