Genome-Wide Identification of Bilberry WRKY Transcription Factors: Go Wild and Duplicate

WRKY transcription factor genes compose an important family of transcriptional regulators that are present in several plant species. According to previous studies, these genes can also perform important roles in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) metabolism, making it essential to deepen our understanding of fruit ripening regulation and anthocyanin biosynthesis. In this context, the detailed characterization of these proteins will provide a comprehensive view of the functional features of VmWRKY genes in different plant organs and in response to different intensities of light. In this study, the investigation of the complete genome of the bilberry identified 76 VmWRKY genes that were evaluated and distributed in all twelve chromosomes. The proteins encoded by these genes were classified into four groups (I, II, III, and IV) based on their conserved domains and zinc finger domain types. Fifteen pairs of VmWRKY genes in segmental duplication and four pairs in tandem duplication were detected. A cis element analysis showed that all promoters of the VmWRKY genes contain at least one potential cis stress-response element. Differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data revealed that VmWRKY genes from bilberry show preferential or specific expression in samples. These findings provide an overview of the functional characterization of these proteins in bilberry.

Employ of Anthocyanins in Nanocarriers for Nano Delivery: In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Approaches for Chronic Diseases

Anthocyanins are among the best-known phenolic compounds and possess remarkable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Despite their therapeutic benefits, they are not widely used as health-promoting agents due to their instability, low absorption, and, thus, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism in the human body. Recent research suggests that the application of nanotechnology could increase their solubility and/or bioavailability, and thus their biological potential. Therefore, in this review, we have provided, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of in vitro and in vivo studies on nanocarriers used as delivery systems of anthocyanins, and their aglycones, i.e., anthocyanidins alone or combined with conventional drugs in the treatment or management of chronic diseases.

Phenolic profiles and their responses to pre- and post-harvest factors in small fruits: a review

The consumption of small fruits has increased in recent years. Besides their appealing flavor, the commercial success of small fruits has been partially attributed to their high contents of phenolic compounds with multiple health benefits. The phenolic profiles and contents in small fruits vary based on the genetic background, climate, growing conditions, and post-harvest handling techniques. In this review, we critically compare the profiles and contents of phenolics such as anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids that have been reported in bilberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, black and red currants, raspberries, and strawberries during fruit development and post-harvest storage. This review offers researchers and breeders a general guideline for the improvement of phenolic composition in small fruits while considering the critical factors that affect berry phenolics from cultivation to harvest and to final consumption.

Free low-molecular weight phenolics composition and bioactivity of Vaccinium padifolium Sm fruits

Uveira-da-serra (Vaccinium padifolium Sm) is a native blueberry from Madeira Island (Portugal). In this study, the free low-molecular weight phenolic composition of Vaccinium padifolium berries (uva-da-serra - UdS), was established using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) strategy combined with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-MSMS). Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging activities and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were also evaluated. Twenty-six phenolic compounds were identified in the UdS, being chlorogenic acid (17.4 mg/g DW), epigallocatechin (2.33 mg/g DW), caffeic acid (0.66 mg/g DW), quercetin-3-glucoside (0.38 mg/g DW) and myricetin (0.33 mg/g DW) the predominant compounds. As far we are aware, this is the first time that the free low molecular weight phenolic composition of Vaccinium padifolium Sm is characterized, also unveiling (-)epigallocatechin gallate, o-coumaric acid and m-coumaric acids presence in a Vaccinium specie. TPC (3021.8 mg GAE/100 g DW), TFC (2645.2 mg QE/100 g DW), DPPH (20509.0 µmol TE/g DW), ORAC (18510.0 µmol TE/g DW) and ABTS (19338.0 µmol TE/g DW) suggest a high antioxidant potential which is to health benefits including on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease prevention, making UdS a useful biosource with potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Chemical and Antioxidant Charaterization of Native Corn Germplasm from Two Regions of Costa Rica: A Conservation Approach

The cultivation of native corn has decreased in favor of the cultivation of improved commercial corn varieties. This study seeks to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of 36 samples of native corn germplasm from the Brunca (BR) and Chorotega (CR) regions of Costa Rica. The main parameters of comparison were the composition of antioxidant compounds, antiradical activity, and microbicidal effect. The total amount of polyphenols in the germplasm (120 mg GAE/100 g d.w.) was not related to the regions from which the samples were obtained. The overall average for antioxidant capacity was 21.20 μmol TE/g d.w. Accessions from the CR region had higher antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanin content was higher in purple accessions and undetectable in white germplasm. Antioxidant capacity was statistically related to polyphenols content (r = 0.714, p < 0.01). The most promising corn accessions in terms of nutraceutical value came from the CR region.

Blueberry and honey vinegar: successive batch production, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial ability

Abstract Gourmet vinegars are versatile culinary ingredients that have aroused the interest of consumers not only for their unusual taste, but also for their health benefits. In this work, blueberry and honey wine was first obtained using a bench-scale bioreactor. This wine had high concentrations of phenolic compounds (706.18 mg GAE/mL) and appreciable free radical scavenging ability against DPPH (161.42 µmol trolox equivalent/100 mL) and ABTS•+ (356.41 µmol trolox equivalent/100 mL), as well as ferric-ion reducing antioxidant capacity (1419.86 µmol FeSO4/100 mL). In sequence, vinegar was produced from the wine in wooden barrels using successive acetification cycles. The average acetic acid concentration found in the vinegars was 4.4 g/100 mL, and the average acetic acid yield and volumetric productivity were 52.69% and 0.38 g/(L.h), respectively. Appreciable polyphenolic compounds (681.87 to 847.98 µg GAE/mL) and anthocyanin (12.8 to 15.39 mg/L) contents were found and high antioxidant activity. In addition, the vinegars demonstrated antimicrobial ability against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium.

Byproduct Generated During the Elaboration Process of Isotonic Beverage as a Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds

Agro-industrial byproducts are considered good sources of macronutrients and phytochemicals. Fruit and vegetable residues (FVR), obtained after the production of an isotonic beverage, have previously been characterized containing 80% insoluble dietary fibers from total fibers (48.4%), 26% available carbohydrates, 9.5% proteins and 5% lipids. Nevertheless, fruit and vegetables provide phytochemicals which have been related to human health such as phenolic compounds. The loss of specific compounds over the production process is related to their partitioning between fruit and vegetables and byproducts. However, phenolic profile of FVR remains unknown. This work is focused on the evaluation of FVR as a natural source of these bioactive compounds. For this purpose, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) has been proposed as extraction technique for recovering phenolic compounds from FVR. The experimental variables were temperature and percentage of solvent (ethanol and water). Phenolic compounds extracts were characterized by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and a discussion about phenolic and macronutrient interactions was established. Globally, 88 compounds were tentatively identified: phenolic acids (28), flavonoids (32), and other polyphenols (28). The PLE conditions applied yielded different breaking matrix-analyte interactions leading to an increase in the number of compounds. The highest phenolic acids content was achieved with high temperature while lower temperatures were more efficient in extracting flavonoid. By establishing the phenolics profile in food byproducts such as FVR, it is possible to more effectively apply these byproducts as nutraceutical, food or pharmaceutical ingredients.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Flow diagram of bioactive compounds recovering from isotonic beverage byproduct is proposed using pressurized liquid extraction. The plant-bioactives mechanism relies on fruit and vegetable byproducts changes under different extraction conditions. The obtained extracts can most effectively be applied as nutraceuticals or as ingredients in food or pharmaceutical inputs.

Nutrient profiles of the hybrid grape cultivar 'Isabel' during berry maturation and ripening

BACKGROUND

The hybrid grape cultivar 'Isabel' (Vitis labrusca × V. vinifera) is widely grown in the Black Sea region of Turkey and constitutes an important part of the diet of its inhabitants. Phenological and ampelographic studies of the grape have previously been performed, but there are no data concerning nutrient composition. Its nutrient content needs to be investigated to ascertain its potential economic and nutritional uses in the region.

RESULTS

The concentrations (range, g kg^-1 fresh weight) of major soluble sugars (fructose 2.08-79.70; glucose 3.71-66.74) increased and those of organic acids (tartaric acid 0.05-6.60; malic acid 2.38-9.92) decreased in the skin and pulp during ripening. The major fatty acid was linoleic acid in the skin (50.13), pulp (18.11) and seed (704), while the main minerals (dry weight) were potassium (2.70-19.70), followed by phosphorus (0.53-3.40) and calcium (0.42-5.90) in the parts.

CONCLUSION

Berry maturation and ripening significantly influenced the concentrations of sugars and organic acids the most in the skin and pulp, but did not significantly affect the concentrations of fatty acids and minerals in the 'Isabel' grape. Our findings also suggest an optimal harvest time in terms of levels of the nutrients. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Structure-Antioxidant Activity Relationship of Ferulates

The antioxidant activity of ferulic acid (1), iso-ferulic acid (2), coniferyl aldehyde (3), methyl ferulate (4), and ethyl ferulate (5) were investigated using 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and autoxidation of triacylglycerols of commercially available sunflower oil (TGSO). The compounds tested for ability to scavenge ABTS radical cations was in the order of ferulic acid > coniferyl aldehyde ≈ iso-ferulic acid > ethyl ferulate ≈ methyl ferulate. The results of the FRAP assay for ferulic acid, iso-ferulic acid, and coniferyl aldehyde were similar to and higher than those of methyl ferulate and ethyl ferulate. In the lipid system, iso-ferulic acid showed weak antioxidant activity. The other ferulates exhibited much stronger, yet similar, activities.