Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of Lonicera caerulea berries: Comparison of seven cultivars over three harvesting years

Foliar Sprays of Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer Containing Selenium Produce Functional Tomato Fruits with Higher Shelf Life

Selenium (Se) is a nutrient whose daily intake is often below the recommended levels in people. Biofortification with Se is a method to increase this intake by raising the Se concentration in tomato fruits, an effect dependent on sources and modes of application. Additionally, Se application can promote the enhancement of other compounds in tomato fruits, altering their metabolism, which may increase the fruit's shelf life. This study aimed to determine how different strategies of applying a multi-nutrient fertilizer containing Se (SeMNF) can increase the Se content and other bioactive compounds and enhance the shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits. Different foliar fertilization strategies involving the use of SeMNF were evaluated in field trials conducted on commercial tomato crops. Indeterminate-growth tomatoes were used, and different Se doses and application strategies were tested. Harvesting was conducted in three phases according to fruit ripening. Each harvested fruit was assessed for the Se content, macro and micronutrients, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, carotenoids, pH, total titratable acidity, and total soluble solids in tomato fruits. Doses of 15 g ha-1 of Se, split into three applications, increased the Se content in the fruits at 1 and 2 harvests. The application of SeMNF at Se doses above 10 g of Se ha-1 increased firmness, days of ripening, and the nutritional quality of the tomatoes (higher contents of carotenoids (+39%), lycopene (+33%), antioxidant activity (+16%), total phenolic compounds (+38%), and vitamin C (+14%) in a dose-dependent effect of the application strategy used. These results contributed to an increase in the shelf life of tomatoes, consequently reducing food waste.

Acerola processing waste: Convective drying with ethanol as pretreatment

The acerola seed is an agro-industrial waste. It is a high moisture content product, rich in bioactive compounds. Drying is an alternative to make this waste available in a safe condition. The use of ethanol as a pretreatment could improve the drying process besides reducing the operation time. This study aimed to investigate the influence of ethanol pretreatment (ET) on the content of bioactive compounds, cell wall thickness, and color. The drying kinetics was studied, and the influence of external and internal resistance was discussed. The samples were immersed in ethanol for 2 min with subsequent convective drying (40 °C and 60 °C; 1 m s-1) until they reached the equilibrium condition. The ET reduced the drying time up to 36.36 %. The external and mixed control of mass transfer were identified as the governing regimes for drying this material, depending on the use of ethanol. ET led to an increase in effective diffusivity, a reduction in cell wall thickness, and preservation of the color of the dried waste. The ET positively impacted the conservation of ascorbic acid compared to untreated dried samples but was not relevant to phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity. The drying process increased the bioactivity of the anthocyanins. The best condition was drying at 60 °C, pretreated with ethanol.

Assessment of Selected Chemical and Morphological Properties of Lonicera var. kamtschatica and Lonicera var. emphyllocalyx Treated with Gaseous Ozone

Lonicera caerulea L. fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. This study analysed the effect of applying 5 ppm gaseous ozone for 1, 3, and 5 min on the chemical properties of L. kamtschatica varieties and newly created clones of L. emphyllocalyx for three years of cultivation. The fruits harvested from L. emphyllocalyx, depending on the year of harvest, had significantly larger size and weight compared to L. kamtschatica. On average, the acidity of the L. emphyllocalyx clones was 6% higher than other tested varieties. The average content of ascorbic acid was highest in L. emphyllocalyx clone '21-17'-57.80 mg·100 g-1; the year of harvest will significantly affect the content of vitamin C, reaching the highest level in 2022-53.92 mg·100 g-1. The total content of polyphenols was significantly dependent on the year of cultivation; reaching, on average, 54.8% more in 2022 compared to the rest of the years. The total antioxidant value using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS methods varied depending on the variety; exposure to ozone significantly increased the antioxidant value in each case. On the basis of the study, both botanical varieties can be used in food processing. Gaseous ozone exposure can significantly influence chemical composition, increasing the health-promoting value of fruit.

Advantages of Spray Drying over Freeze Drying: A Comparative Analysis of Lonicera caerulea L. Juice Powders-Matrix Diversity and Bioactive Response

The study investigated the impact of Lonicera caerulea L. juice matrix modification and drying techniques on powder characteristics. The evaluation encompassed phenolics (514.7-4388.7 mg/100 g dry matter), iridoids (up to 337.5 mg/100 g dry matter), antioxidant and antiglycation capacity, as well as anti-ageing properties of powders produced using maltodextrin, inulin, trehalose, and palatinose with a pioneering role as a carrier. Spray drying proved to be competitive with freeze drying for powder quality. Carrier application influenced the fruit powder properties. Trehalose protected the phenolics in the juice extract products, whereas maltodextrin showed protective effect in the juice powders. The concentrations of iridoids were influenced by the matrix type and drying technique. Antiglycation capacity was more affected by the carrier type in juice powders than in extract products. However, with carrier addition, the latter showed approximately 12-fold higher selectivity for acetylcholinesterase than other samples. Understanding the interplay between matrix composition, drying techniques, and powder properties provides insights for the development of plant-based products with tailored attributes, including potential health-linked properties.

A Systematic Review of Cardio-Metabolic Properties of Lonicera caerulea L

In the light of growing concerns faced by Western societies due to aging, natality decline, and epidemic of cardio-metabolic diseases, both preventable and treatable, new and effective strategical interventions are urgently needed in order to decrease their socio-economical encumbrance. The recent focus of research has been redirected towards investigating the potential of haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) as a novel functional food or superfruit. Therefore, our present review aims to highlight the latest scientific proofs regarding the potential of Lonicera caerulea L. (LC), a perennial fruit-bearing plant rich in polyphenols, in reversing cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In this regard, a systematic search on two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) from 1 January 2016 to 1 December 2023 was performed, the keyword combination being Lonicera caerulea L. AND the searched pharmacological action, with the inclusion criteria consisting of in extenso original articles, written in English. The health-enhancing characteristics of haskap berries have been examined through in vitro and in vivo studies from the 35 included original papers. Positive effects regarding cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome have been assigned to the antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, as well as to the hepatoprotective and vasoprotective potential. Latest advances regarding LCF mechanisms of action are detailed within this review as well. All these cutting-edge data suggest that this vegetal product would be a good candidate for further clinical studies.

Evaluation of the Harvest Dates for Three Major Cultivars of Blue Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) in China

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is an emerging fruit crop; however, determining its proper harvest time in commercial cultivation remains challenging due to its rapid fruit development characteristics. In this study, we investigated 17 agronomic traits of three blue honeysuckle cultivars harvested on 5 successive dates within their respective harvest windows. 'Lanjingling', 'Wulan', and 'Berel' showed solid-acid ratios (SS:TA) ranging from 10.00 to 16.01, 8.13 to 10.23, and 5.77 to 7.11, respectively; anthocyanin contents ranged from 233.85 to 276.83 mg/100 g, 236.38 to 312.23 mg/100 g, and 235.71 to 334.98 mg/100 g, respectively; vitamin C contents ranged from 88.43 to 99.68 mg/100 g, 108.13 to 191.23 mg/100 g, and 89.71 to 120.40 mg/100 g, respectively; phenolic contents ranged from 25.22 to 37.59 mg/g, 25.40 to 36.52 mg/g, and 37.66 to 50.00 mg/g, respectively. The results revealed the SS:TA value consistently increased with delayed harvesting and were significantly negatively correlated with fruit firmness, total acidity, shelf life, and respiration intensity, suggesting it is an ideal maturity indicator for blue honeysuckle berries. The factor analysis suggests that the suitable harvest date for 'Lanjingling' could be either 47 days after flowering (DAF) with an SS:TA value of approximately 10.0, characterized by high firmness, extended shelf life, and elevated levels of anthocyanins and phenolics; or 67 DAF (SS:TA ≈ 16.0), characterized by high vitamin C content and sweetness, and larger size and weight. For 'Wulan', it suggests the suitable harvest date is either 54 DAF (SS:TA ≈ 9.0), yielding fruit with high levels of anthocyanins and vitamin C; or 62 DAF (SS:TA > 10.0), yielding fruit with high sweetness and large size and weight. For 'Berel', it is suggested to be either 52 DAF (SS:TA ≈ 6.5), resulting in fruit with high levels of anthocyanins and vitamin C; or 62 DAF (SS:TA > 7.0), resulting in balanced levels of the fruit quality traits.

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Selected Varieties of L. caerulea var. kamtschatica and L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx

Lonicera caerulea fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. The fruits of the L. caerulea var. kamtschatica cultivars ‘Duet’ and ‘Aurora’ and the L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx cultivars ‘Lori’, ‘Colin’ and ‘Willa’ were used in this study. L. emphyllocalyx fruit, especially the cultivar ‘Willa’, was characterised as having a higher acidity by an average of 29.96% compared to L. kamtschatica. The average ascorbic acid content of the L. kamtschatica fruit was 53.5 mg·100 g−1 f.w., while L. emphyllocalyx fruit had an average content that was 14.14% lower. The antioxidant activity (determined by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) varied according to the cultivar and the species of fruit analysed. The total polyphenol content differed significantly depending on the cultivar analysed; fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar ‘Willa’ were characterised by the lowest content of total polyphenols—416.94 mg GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—while the highest content of total polyphenols—747.85 GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—was found in the fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar ‘Lori’. Lonicera caerulea fruits contained 26 different phenolic compounds in their compositions, of which the highest content was characterised by cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (average: 347.37 mg·100 g−1). On the basis of this study, it appears that both L. kamtschatica fruits and L. emphyllocalyx fruits, especially of the cultivars ‘Lori’ and ‘Willa’, can be used in food processing.

Polyphenols Content, Antioxidant Properties and Allergenic Potency of Organic and Conventional Blue Honeysuckle Berries

Blue honeysuckle berries are a rich source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of organic and conventional cultivation on the polyphenols, antioxidant and allergenic potency of blue honeysuckle berry cultivars: ‘No 30’, ‘Jolanta’ and ‘Indygo’ in two growing seasons. Identification of individual polyphenols was performed using the HPLC method; the total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The determination of allergic potency was tested by ELISA. In the second year of the study the total polyphenols were significantly higher in organic blue honeysuckle than in the conventional blue honeysuckle. In both growing seasons, the ‘Indygo’ cv. was characterized by the highest concentration of all bioactive compounds 3241.9 mg and 3787.2 mg per 100 g⁻¹ D.W. A strong correlation was found between the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity for organic fruit in both years, as well as for allergenic potency. Contrary to the best bioactive properties was ‘Indigo’ cv., with the highest allergenic potency (108.9 and 139.2 ng g⁻¹ D.W.). The lowest content of specific allergens was found in the ‘No 30’ cv. Since honeysuckle is still a new cultivated plant, information about its allergenic potency is insufficient.

Lonicera caerulea (Haskap berries): a review of development traceability, functional value, product development status, future opportunities, and challenges

Lonicera caerulea is a honeysuckle plant with a long development history. It is defined as a "homology of medicine and food" fruit because it is rich in bioactive substances. By-products (such as pomace, leaves, stems, and flowers), which also have beneficial values, will be produced during processing. Nevertheless, the reuse of derivatives and the further development of new products of Lonicera caerulea are still a challenge. Firstly, this paper traced the development history of Lonicera caerulea and summarized its primary nutrients and bioactive substances, subsequently discussed the research progress and underlying molecular mechanisms of its functional properties, and introduced the application and potential of Lonicera caerulea in the fields of food, health products, cosmetics, medicine, and materials. Finally, this paper put forward the future research direction to promote the development of the Lonicera caerulea industry. To sum up, Lonicera caerulea, as a potential raw material, can be used to produce more functional products. Besides, more in-depth clinical trials are needed to clarify the specific molecular mechanism of the practical components of Lonicera caerulea and improve the rate of development and utilization.HighlightsThe original species of Lonicera caerulea subgroup had appeared on the earth as early as the end of the third century.Lonicera caerulea has been introduced into North America since the 18th century, but the introduction process has not ended until now.Lonicera caerulea widely exists in Eurasia and North America and it has excellent cold tolerance, early maturity and ornamental.The fruits, stems, leaves and flowers of Lonicera caerulea all have bioactive value, but the specific molecular mechanism and utilization need to be improved.Lonicera caerulea has been widely used in food, medicine, health products, cosmetics and materials, but there are still great challenges.

Phenolic Compounds, Vitamins C and E and Antioxidant Activity of Edible Honeysuckle Berries (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Pojark) in Relation to Their Origin

Honeysuckles are frost tolerant plants providing early-ripening fruits with health-promoting properties which have been used in traditional medicine in China. This study evaluates the impact of the climatic conditions of two areas on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AOA; by DPPH-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and photochemiluminescence assays) of eight cultivars of honeysuckle berries (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Pojark) of various ripening times. Expectedly, chemical composition and AOA values varied depending on the cultivars, locality and selected methods. Berries from Lednice (the area with more sunshine) showed higher average contents of total monomeric anthocyanins (TMAC; pH differential absorbance method), vitamins C and E and total phenolics (high-performance liquid chromatography). In contrast, berries from Žabčice (the area with more rain) performed higher average contents of total phenolics and flavonoids (UV/VIS spectroscopic analyses). Interestingly, fundamental amounts of chlorogenic acid were determined irrespective of the locality. Regarding TMAC and vitamin C content, early ripening Amphora from both areas has been assessed as the best cultivar; concerning the content of phenolic compounds, Fialka from both areas and Amphora from Lednice is considered as the most valuable. The obtained results may facilitate the selection of the most valuable cultivars for both producers and consumers.

Genus Lonicera: New drug discovery from traditional usage to modern chemical and pharmacological research

BACKGROUND

Lonicera Linn. belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae, the largest genus in the plant family, includes about more than 200 species, which are mainly distributed in northern Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. Some species of this genus have been usually used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as functional foods, cosmetics and other applications, such as L. japonica Thunb. Bioactive components and pharmacological activities of the genus Lonicera plants have received an increasing interest from the scientific community. Thus, a comprehensive and systematic review on their traditional usage in China, chemical components, and their pharmacological properties of their whole plants, bioactive extracts, and bioactive isolates including partial structure-activity relationships from the genus is indispensable.

METHODS

Information on genus Lonicera of this systematic electronic literature search was gathered via the published articles, patents, clinical trials website (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) and several online bibliographic databases (PubMed, Sci Finder, Research Gate, Science Direct, CNKI, Web of Science and Google Scholar). The following keywords were used for the online search: Lonicera, phytochemical composition, Lonicerae japonica, Lonicera review articles, bioactivities of Lonicera, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, and clinical trials. This review paper consists of a total of 225 papers covering the Lonicera genus from 1800 to 2021, including research articles, reviews, patents, and book chapters.

RESULTS

In this review (1800s-2021), about 420 components from the genus of Lonicera Linn. including 87 flavonoids, 222 terpenoids, 51 organic acids, and other compounds, together with their pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory effects, and toxicity were summarized.

CONCLUSION

The relationship is discussed among their traditional usage, their pharmacological properties, and their chemical components, which indicate the genus Lonicera have a large prospect in terms of new drug exploitation, especially in COVID-19 treatment.

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) and Kamchatka Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea var. Kamtschatica) Extract Effects on Technological Properties, Sensory Quality, and Lipid Oxidation of Raw-Cooked Meat Product (Frankfurters)

Oxidation is one of the most prevalent factors responsible for meat product deterioration. Due to their potential health risks, commonly used synthetic antioxidants are beginning to be frowned upon by customers. The industry is searching for a natural replacement. In our study, we incorporated blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) and Kamchatka honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea var. Kamtschatica) extracts into raw-cooked meat products (frankfurters) as natural antioxidants. We observed that both extracts at concentrations of 3 mL·kg^-1 were able to significantly (α = 0.05) postpone lipid oxidation in our samples, with results comparable to vitamin C (0.5 mg·kg^-1) addition. Moreover, we did not observe negative effects of the extracts on the product's color, pH, or textural properties. Negative results were reported in the sensory evaluation of honeysuckle addition samples. This could have been caused by the natural strong and bitter taste of honeysuckle, which was transferred to the extracts and, subsequently, into the meat product.

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties of Lonicera caerulea Berries: Evaluation of 11 Cultivars

The aim of the study was to evaluate 11 cultivars of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) for bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and the antibacterial activity of berries. Total phenolic contents (TPCs) and total anthocyanin contents (TACs) were established by using ethanolic extracts. For contents of organic acids and saccharides, aqueous extracts were used, and vitamin C was determined by using oxalic acid solution. DPPH^• radical scavenging capacity was evaluated by using ethanolic extracts; antibacterial activity was assessed by using both ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The TPC varied from 364.02 ± 0.41 mg/100 g in ‘Vostorg’ to 784.5 ± 0.3 mg/100 g in ‘Obilnaja’, and TAC ranged from 277.8 ± 1.1 mg/100 g in ‘Čelnočnaja’ to 394.1 ± 8.4 mg/100 g in ‘Nimfa’. Anthocyanins comprised 53.8% of total phenolic contents on average. Among organic acids, citric acid was predominant, averaging 769.41 ± 5.34 mg/100 g, with malic and quinic acids amounting to 289.90 ± 2.64 and 45.00 ± 0.37 mg/100 g on average, respectively. Contents of vitamin C were 34.26 ± 0.25 mg/100 g on average. Organic acids were most effective in the inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested. In conclusion, berries of L. caerulea are beneficial not only for fresh consumption, but also as a raw material or ingredients of foods with high health-promoting value.

Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant Activity and Phenotypic Characterization of Lonicera caerulea L. Berries, Cultivated in Lithuania

Lonicera caerulea L. is an early fruit-bearing plant that originates from harsh environments. Raw materials contain a body of different phenolic origin compounds that determine the multidirectional antioxidant and pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacities, vegetative, pomological, and sensory properties and their interrelations of selected L. caerulea cultivars, namely ‘Amphora’, ‘Wojtek’, ‘Iga’, ’Leningradskij Velikan’, ‘Nimfa’, ‘Indigo Gem’, ‘Tundra’, ‘Tola’, and fruit powders. Combined chromatographic systems were applied for the qualitative and quantitative profiling of 23 constituents belonging to the classes of anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids. The determined markers of phytochemical profiles were cyanidin-3-glucoside, rutin, chlorogenic, and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Anthocyanins and the predominant compound, cyanidin-3-glucoside, were the determinants of antioxidant activity. Cultivars ‘Amphora’, ‘Indigo Gem’, and ‘Tundra’ contained the greatest total amounts of identified phenolic compounds. Phenotypic characterization revealed the superiority of cultivars ‘Wojtek’ and ’Tundra’ compared to other cultivars, although ’Wojtek’ had low phenolic content and antioxidant activity and ’Tundra’ got lower sensory evaluation scores. Coupling the results of phenotypic and phytochemical characterization, cultivar ‘Tundra’ could be suitable for commercial plantations.

A comprehensive study of the aerial parts of Lonicera japonica Thunb. based on metabolite profiling coupled with PLS-DA

INTRODUCTION

Lonicera japonica Thunb. is an economically important species of honeysuckle belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family. All aerial parts of L. japonica (leaf, flower bud, flower, and caulis) are used as herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. The application of plant metabolomics to the study of L. japonica provides the potential for identifying the phytochemical composition and useful chemical markers of the plant.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a strategy integrating metabolic profiling and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to separate the aerial parts of L. japonica based on the occurrence of chemical markers.

METHODOLOGY

The two-part strategy consisted of (1) ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-triple TOF-MS/MS), (2) PLS-DA, which was applied to distinguish between the different aerial parts and reveal their differential characteristic metabolites.

RESULTS

A total of 71 metabolites were identified from samples, and eight candidate compounds were identified (lonicerin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, loganin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C, secologanic acid, luteoloside, astragalin) as optimal chemical markers based on variable importance in projection (VIP) and p-value. The relative contents of eight candidate compounds were compared based on their peak intensities.

CONCLUSION

This study established an efficient strategy for exploring metabolite profiling and defining chemical markers among the different aerial parts of L. japonica, and laid the foundation for elucidating the phytochemical differences in efficacy between Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) and Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis (LJC). Our findings also indicate that the leaves of L. japonica leaf could be used as an alternative medicinal resource for LJF and provide a reference for comprehensive exploitation and utilisation of L. japonica resources.

Phytochemical Characterization of Blue Honeysuckle in Relation to the Genotypic Diversity of Lonicera sp

The phytochemical characteristic analysis of a group of 30 haskap berry genotypes was carried out bearing in mind the concern for the consumption of food with high nutraceutical value that helps maintain good health. Phytochemical fruit composition and antioxidant activity were assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteau, spectrophotometric, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) as well as ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was referred to as the Trolox equivalent. The observed differences in the content of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity allowed us to select genotypes which, due to the high level of the analyzed compounds, are particularly recommended in everyone’s diet. In addition, the analysis of the prospects of increasing the analyzed phytochemical properties, estimated by parameters such as heritability and genetic progress, indicates the effectiveness of breeding in relation to each of the analyzed traits. The results of the presented research can be used in the implementation of future breeding programs for this valuable species.

Authentication of "Adelita" Raspberry Cultivar Based on Physical Properties, Antioxidant Activity and Volatile Profile

Agricultural selection programmes are, today, working hard to obtain novel raspberry cultivars with higher nutritional and commercial quality. One of those cultivars is “Adelita”. This study aims to provide novel tools for raspberry cultivar identification—more specifically, the differentiation of “Adelita” from other raspberry cultivars. To perform this study, five “Adelita” samples were analysed—four cultivated in Spain and one, in Morocco—and they were compared to seven samples from six raspberry cultivars (“P04”, “Lupita”, “Enrosadira”, “P10”, “Quanza” and “Versalles”). The physical parameters (mass, length, equatorial diameter and firmness) combined with the Total Phenolic Content (TPC); the antioxidant capacity according to the antioxidant activity tested with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) methods; and the main target volatile compounds were used as independent variables. Principal component and cluster analysis showed that the target volatiles and physical parameters together with the TPC and DPPH values could be useful to classify Adelita cultivars separately from the rest of the cultivars included in the work. Those results proved that the developed methodology could be proposed as a reliable approach for the identification of cultivar fraud in the supply chain.

Health Properties and Composition of Honeysuckle Berry Lonicera caerulea L. An Update on Recent Studies

Lonicera caerulea L., also known as haskap or honeysuckle berry, is a fruit commonly planted in eastern Europe, Canada and Asia. The fruit was registered as a traditional food from a third country under European Union regulations only on December 2018. It is resistant to cold, pests, various soil acidities and diseases. However, its attractiveness is associated mostly with its health properties. The fruit shows anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity-important factors in improving health. These features result from the diverse content of phytochemicals in honeysuckle berries with high concentrations of phytocompounds, mainly hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavanols, flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones and anthocyanins but also iridoids, present in the fruit in exceptional amounts. The content and health properties of the fruit were identified to be dependent on cultivar, genotype and the place of harvesting. Great potential benefits of this nutritious food are its ability to minimize the negative effects of UV radiation, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, and to exert hepato- and cardioprotective activity.

Effect of Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx Fruit on Biofilm Formed by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is an important pathogenic anaerobic bacterium that causes aspiration pneumonia. This bacterium frequently forms biofilms in the oral cavity and in respiratory tract-associated medical devices. Bacterial colonization that occurs in association with this biofilm formation is the main reason for incurable aspiration pneumonia. The Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx (LCE) fruit has been used in folk medicine in Hokkaido, the northern part of Japan. The aim of this study was to elucidate one of the antimicrobial mechanisms of LCE methanol extract (LCEE)-the inhibitory effect of LCEE on biofilm formation by P. gingivalis. Our results show that LCEE significantly reduced biofilm formation by three different P. gingivalis isolates in a concentration- and time-dependent manner that were quantified by the adsorption of safranin red. When LCEE was added to biofilms already formed by P. gingivalis, LCEE did not degrade the biofilm. However, treatment with LCEE significantly promoted the removal of existing biofilm by vibration compared to that of control. We also confirmed biofilm formation in LCEE-treated P. gingivalis in tracheal tubes using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G), one of the components of LCE, also inhibited the formation of biofilm by P. gingivalis in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results reveal that LCEE may be an effective antibacterial substance for P. gingivalis-induced aspiration pneumonia because of its role in the suppression of bacterial biofilm formation in the oral cavity.

The Effect of the Addition of Blue Honeysuckle Berry Juice to Apple Juice on the Selected Quality Characteristics, Anthocyanin Stability, and Antioxidant Properties

Apple juice is rich in phenolic compounds that are important as natural antioxidants. In turn, blue honeysuckle berry juice is a valuable source of bioactive ingredients and can be an interesting and beneficial supplement to fruit juices. The aim of this study was to examine the physicochemical and sensory properties of the newly designed mixture of apple juice and blue honeysuckle berry juice. The addition of blue honeysuckle berry juice to apple juice had a significant effect on the content of anthocyanin and vitamin C in the newly designed fruit juices. After production, the content of anthocyanins and polyphenols in the blue honeysuckle berry juice was high (595.39 and 767.88 mg/100 mL, respectively). As the concentration of blue honeysuckle berry juice added to apple juice was increased, the polyphenol content also increased. The juices analyzed after 4 months of storage were lighter and showed a less intense red color than the juices analyzed directly after production. Antioxidant activity (ABTS assay) in the apple juice mixed with 10% blueberry juice was almost 3 times higher than the pure apple juice after 3 months of storage; the addition of 30% blueberry juice significantly increased the antioxidant activity of the apple juice. Thus, the results of this research have expanded the existing knowledge about the health and sensory properties of apple juice mixed with blue honeysuckle berry juice. These findings can be utilized in further research aiming at the development of new products that can meet consumer expectations.

Lonicera caerulea Extract Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Free Fatty Acid-Induced HepG2 Hepatocytes and in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Its predominant anthocyanin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), possesses antioxidant and many other potent biological activities. We aimed to investigate the effects of honeyberry extract (HBE) supplementation on HepG2 cellular steatosis induced by free fatty acids (FFA) and in diet-induced obese mice. HepG2 cells were incubated with 1 mM FFA to induce lipid accumulation with or without HBE. Obesity in mice was induced by a 45% high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and subsequent supplementation of 0.5% HBE (LH) and 1% HBE (MH) for 6 weeks. HBE suppressed fatty acid synthesis and ameliorated lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by FFA. Moreover, HBE also decreased lipid accumulation in the liver in the supplemented HBE group (LH, 0.5% or MH, 1%) compared with the control group. The expressions of adipogenic genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were decreased both in the HepG2 cells and in the livers of HBE-supplemented mice. In addition, HBE increased mRNA and protein levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which are involved in fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, HBE treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). Honeyberry effectively reduced triglyceride accumulation through down-regulation of hepatic lipid metabolic gene expression and up-regulation of the activation of AMPK and ACC signaling in both the HepG2 cells as well as in livers of diet-induced obese mice. These results suggest that HBE may actively ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Quantification and cytoprotection by vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol and 4-ethylguaiacol against AAPH-induced abnormal oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

Vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol, three phenolic compounds in Gujinggong (GJG) Chinese baijiu (Chinese liquor), were quantified by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and evaluated for their possible cytoprotective effects by AAPH-induced HepG2 cell model. To confirm whether vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol protected HepG2 cells against AAPH-induced abnormal oxidative stress via motivating the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway, the gene and protein expression of Nrf2, Keap1, SOD, CAT, and GPx from the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway were measured with real-time PCR and western blot. Three levels of treatment doses (1000, 500, and 100 mg L⁻¹) were applied. Results showed that vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol exhibited potent cytoprotective effect in a dose-dependent manner, greatly alleviating or reversing the increased oxidative stress induced by AAPH through up-regulating the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, and GPx, and thereby, significantly improving the intracellular antioxidant defense system in HepG2 cells (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, it was confirmed that vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol, natural components of Chinese baijiu, were able to modulate the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidative enzymes (i.e., SOD, CAT, and GPx) against AAPH-induced abnormal oxidative stress. Further, this study lays the foundation for better illustrating the health benefits of Chinese baijiu.

Vanillin, 4-methylguaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol widely exist in Gujinggong Chinese baijiu and could protect HepG2 cells against oxidative stress via activating the Nrf2 pathway.