Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium myrtillus-Two Species-One Used as a Functional Food

Trends and current food safety regulations and policies for functional foods and beverages containing botanicals

Globally, the demand for functional foods and beverages has significantly increased due to socioeconomic changes, particularly in health consciousness to enhance their functionality. Functional ingredients derived from botanicals are widely used because of their phytochemical properties with health benefits. This study aims to (1) review the capabilities and challenges of botanical addition in functional foods, (2) review current policies and regulations for functional foods containing botanicals in the European Union (EU), Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand, and (3) provide recommendations on effective food safety control measures for better consumer trust and trade facilitation. This critical review was analyzed from online publications and available guidelines, regulations, and control measures published by food industries and governments in the EU and the four selected countries. The result confirmed that potentialities of botanicals arise from numerous bioactive compounds with varieties of sources. However, the usage may potentially raise health risks through hazardous substances in different species or plant parts, contaminants from environments and uncontrolled processes. Inadequate knowledge of botanical formulation and the maximum limit for daily consumption may elevate health risks through food-drug interaction or adverse effect incidents. Current policies and regulations show that varieties of measures are implemented influencing both economic growth and consumer awareness. The novel finding is that countries that provide a comprehensive national food control system influence not only the growth of the functional food subsectors but also build trust in food safety among trade partners and consumers.

A Review with a Focus on Vaccinium-Berries-Derived Bioactive Compounds for the Treatment of Reproductive Cancers

Cancers of the reproductive organs, including prostate, bladder, ovarian, and cervical cancers, are considered the most common causes of death in both sexes worldwide. The genus Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) comprises fleshy berry crop species, including cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries, bilberries, and bog bilberries, and are widely distributed in many countries. Flavonols, anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and phenolic acids are the most bioactive compounds naturally found in Vaccinium berries and have been extensively used as anticancer agents. However, it remains uncertain whether Vaccinium bioactives have a therapeutic role in reproductive cancers (RCs), and how these bioactives could be effective in modulating RC-related signalling pathways/molecular genes. Therefore, this article aims to review existing evidence in the PubMed/MEDLINE database on Vaccinium berries' major bioactive compounds in RC treatment and unravel the mechanisms underlying this process.

Characterization of the Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) Leaf Extracts Obtained via Various Extraction Techniques

This investigation aimed to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) leaves. Hydroethanolic extracts were obtained using four extraction techniques: one conventional (CE) and three alternative methods; ultrasound (UAE), microwave (MAE) and high-pressure (HPE) extractions. Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to determine their chemical content, including the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Furthermore, their antioxidative and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis identified and quantified 17 phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid being the predominant compound, with the lowest level (37.36 ± 0.06 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extract obtained by CE and the highest levels (e.g., HPE = 44.47 ± 0.08 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extracts obtained by the alternative methods. Extracts obtained by HPE, UAE and MAE presented TPC values (135.75 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g; 130.52 ± 1.99 mg GAE/g; 119.23 ± 1.79 mg GAE/g) higher than those obtained by the CE method (113.07 ± 0.98 mg GAE/g). Regarding the TFC values, similar to TPC, the highest levels were registered in the extracts obtained by alternative methods (HPE = 43.16 ± 0.12 mg QE/g; MAE = 39.79 ± 0.41 mg QE/g and UAE = 33.89 ± 0.35 mg QE/g), while the CE extract registered the lowest level, 31.47 ± 0.28 mg QE/g. In the case of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activity, the extracts from HPE, UAE and MAE exhibited the strongest radical scavenging capacities of 71.14%, 63.13% and 60.84%, respectively, whereas the CE extract registered only 55.37%. According to Microbiology Reader LogPhase 600 (BioTek), a common MIC value of 8.88 mg/mL was registered for all types of extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Salmonella enterica (Gram-negative bacteria). Moreover, the alternative extraction methods (UAE, HPE) effectively inhibited the growth of Candida parapsilosis, in comparison to the lack of inhibition from the CE method. This study provides valuable insights into bog bilberry leaf extracts, reporting a comprehensive evaluation of their chemical composition and associated biological activities, with alternative extraction methods presenting greater potential for the recovery of phenolic compounds with increased biological activities than the conventional method.

Experimental Studies on the Therapeutic Potential of Vaccinium Berries in Breast Cancer-A Review

Breast cancer (BC) is the largest contributor to cancer deaths in women worldwide. Various parts of plants, including fruits, are known for their therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine. Fruit species exhibit anticancer activities due to the presence of bioactive natural compounds such as flavonoids and carotenoids. The Vaccinium spp. are fleshy berry-like drupes and are rich in bioactive compounds, with flavonols, flavanols, chalcones, and phenolic acids as the major groups of compounds. While there is clear evidence linking Vaccinium berries with a decreased risk of BC both in in vivo and in vitro experiments, the exact mechanisms involved in the protective effects of Vaccinium spp. rich extracts on BC cells are not fully understood. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the mechanisms of action involved in the therapeutic potential of Vaccinium berries against BC in experimental models.

Protective Mechanisms of Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation in Preventing Inflammation in the Skin against UVB-Induced Damage in an Animal Model

UVB significantly impacts the occurrence of cutaneous disorders, ranging from inflammatory to neoplastic diseases. Polyphenols derived from plants have been found to exhibit photoprotective effects against various factors that contribute to skin cancer. During the fermentation of the polyphenol-enriched blueberry preparation (PEBP), small oligomers of polyphenols were released, thus enhancing their photoprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of PEBP on UVB-induced skin inflammation. Topical preparations of polyphenols were applied to the skin of dorsally shaved mice. Mice were subsequently exposed to UVB and were sacrificed 90 min after UVB exposure. This study revealed that pretreatment with PEBP significantly inhibited UVB-induced recruitment of mast and neutrophil cells and prevented the loss of skin thickness. Furthermore, the findings show that PEBP treatment resulted in the downregulation of miR-210, 146a, and 155 and the upregulation of miR-200c and miR-205 compared to the UVB-irradiated mice. Additionally, PEBP was found to reduce the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα, inhibiting COX-2 and increasing IL-10 after UVB exposure. Moreover, DNA methylation analysis indicated that PEBP might potentially reduce the activation of inflammation-related pathways such as MAPK, Wnt, Notch, and PI3K-AKT signaling. Our finding suggests that topical application of PEBP treatment may effectively prevent UVB-induced skin damage by inhibiting inflammation.