Journal of Berry Research - Volume 7, issue 2

Authors: Michalska, Anna | Carlen, Christoph | Heritier, Julien | Andlauer, Wilfried

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), the most popular berries grown and consumed all over the world, have a unique composition of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols that determine the quality, nutritional value and sensorial properties of those fruits. The study has provided data suggesting that there are links between the presence of bioactive compounds in strawberry leaves and the presence of those compounds in strawberry fruit. OBJECTIVE: Newly released and standard June-bearing strawberry cultivars (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were analysed with the aim of evaluating the content of health-related compounds in the fruit and leaves. …RESULTS: The cultivars ‘Clery’ and the newly released ‘Joly’ are promising due to high levels of bioactive compounds in their fruit. The antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the leaves was about 15 times higher than the TEAC of the fruit. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) were an important factor influencing the TEAC values of the fruit (r = 0.86). No significant correlation was found between TPC and TEAC in the leaves. The highest levels of bioactive compounds (TPC) were observed in the cultivars ‘Selvik’, ‘Diana’ and ‘Clery’. In all of the analysed cultivars a high content of agrimoniin in the leaves was correlated with low TPC and TEAC values in the fruit. Additionally, the content of free ellagic acid in the leaves showed a good correlation with the cinnamic acid derivative and ferulic acid hexose derivative in the fruit. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of the content of agrimoniin and free ellagic acid in strawberry leaves could help breeders to identify cultivars with a high antioxidant capacity and a high content of TPC, cinnamic acid derivatives and ferulic acid hexose derivatives in the fruit without waiting until fructification. The paper discusses this innovative conceptual approach to increasing breeding efficiency. Show more

Keywords: Strawberries, fruits, leaves, polyphenolic compounds, agrimoniin, ellagic acid, antioxidant capacity

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-160146

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 71-84, 2017

Authors: Busso Casati, Carolina | Baeza, Rosa | Sánchez, Virginia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fruits like blackcurrant, blueberry and maqui berry stand out for their high content of anthocyanins that give products an attractive red colour, in addition to their rich composition of other polyphenols and vitamins. Comprehensive understanding of thermal properties of foods and quantitative changes in quality attributes are necessary for the proper design of thermal processes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the kinetics of monomeric anthocyanin (MAcy) and colour degradation due to thermal processing of pulps of blackcurrant, blueberry and maqui berry produced in El Bolsón, Argentina. METHODS: Anthocyanins content was …measured with pH-differential method. CIELab parameters were obtained with a Minolta Spectrophotometer, total phenolics were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. MAcy degradation and evolution of colour parameter a* were fitted to a first–order model. RESULTS: Activation energies for anthocyanins losses were between 81 and 94 kJ/mol, and for the deterioration of colour between 85 and 89 kJ/mol. In the case of deterioration of anthocyanins, maqui berry presented the highest values of half-life times especially at 90°C. In the case of colour, blackcurrant showed greater stability showing average colour degradation half-life times between 5 and 11 times higher than those of anthocyanins loss. CONCLUSIONS: Kinetic parameters calculated for different berry juices can be used to design a thermal treatment to obtain a high retention of colour and bioactive compounds. Show more

Keywords: Anthocyanins, colour, degradation, polyhenolics, blueberry, blackcurrant, maqui berry

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170151

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 85-96, 2017

Authors: Araya, Mauricio | Carvajal, Yendry | Alvarez, Victor | Orozco, Rafael | Rodriguez, Gerardo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blackberries (Rubus spp .) are fruits rich in secondary components (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, carotenoids and others), recognized for their health benefits. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the content of different types of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in several extracts of three varieties of blackberry fruit (Rubus adenotrichos ) (red thorned, thornless and sweet), using different blackberry standards. METHODS: The varieties of blackberry fruit were analyzed in three stages of maturation (green, red and black). The evaluation of the phenolic compounds was carried out by applying commercial standards and own standards to the same samples, …following the Folin-Ciocalteu, differential pH, DMAC, and ORAC procedures. RESULTS: The red thorned variety presented the best results with a concentration of polyphenols of 183.0±0.5 mg GAE/g DS, antioxidant capacity of 3322±10 μmol TEAC/g DS, a value of 15.4±0.3 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside eq/g DS of anthocyanins, and a value of 9.26±0.03 mg 4'-O -methylgallocatechin eq/g DS for of proanthocyanidin content. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the limitation of a currently used standard, gallic acid and 4'-O -methylgallocatechin, for quantification of total polyphenols and proanthocyanidin respectively, and outline the development and validation of a more robust and accurate standard for blackberry fruit analysis. Show more

Keywords: Anthocyanins, polyphenols, blackberry, Trolox, Folin-Ciocalteu, DMAC

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170150

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 97-107, 2017

Authors: Dolkar, Phuntsog | Dolkar, Diskit | Angmo, Stanzin | Kumar, Bhuvnesh | Stobdan, Tsering

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Seabuckthorn (SBT) has recently gained worldwide attention for its medicinal and nutritional potential. Many of the claims associated with SBT are related to its phenolics and antioxidants. OBJECTIVE: The work aimed at studying the variability and genotypic effects on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seed. METHOD: Seed extracts of nine natural population of SBT (122 plants) were studied for TPC, TFC and TAC content. RESULTS: SBT seed were found to be rich in TPC ranging from 32 to 208 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW. Flavonoid …content ranged from 8 to 38 mg quercetin equivalent/g of DW. The free radical-scavenging activity in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) ranged from 0.3 to 9.2 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) from 11 to 97 mmol Fe (II)/g. CONCLUSION: A variation of 1–6.5 fold in TPC, 1–4.7 fold variation in TFC, 1–8.8 fold in ferric reducing antioxidant potential and, 1–30.6 folds in IC50 by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay among the examined seeds across nine populations underlines the important role played by genetic background and the geographical location for determining the health promoting compounds. Show more

Keywords: DPPH, FRAP, functional food, genotypic effect, Sea buckthorn

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170149

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 109-116, 2017

Authors: Goldson Barnaby, Andrea | Reid, Raymond | Warren, Dane

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cissus sicyoides berries are currently underutilized and may be a potentially novel source of antioxidants. Extracts from the leaves of this vine are utilized in traditional medicine. The chemical composition and functional properties of C. sicyoides berries were investigated. OBJECTIVE: Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) an essential enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway was characterized and the antioxidant properties, fatty acid profile and mineral content of the berries evaluated. METHODS: The PAL, free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of C. sicyoides berries were determined by use of a spectrophotometric assay. Lipids were …extracted, methylated and the fatty acid methyl esters identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The chemical composition of the berries was also evaluated by infra red spectroscopy. RESULTS: The PAL enzyme from C. sicyoides exhibits Michaelis Menten kinetics with the substrate phenylalanine (Km , 1.21±0.28 mM) and has a Vmax of 6.24±0.28 μM/min. The enzyme has a temperature optimum of 25°C and a pH optimum of 7.5. C. sicyoides berries possess high free radical scavenging activity (84.4±4.4%) and contain a phenolic content of 3.2±0.4 mg gallic acid/g dry weight. Berry extracts had an ascorbic acid concentration of 2.8±0.1 mg/mL. The major fatty acids identified in extracts of the fruit include palmitic acid (43.6±1.8%), oleic acid (13.8±1.7%) and linoleic acid (13.9±2.0%). The oil has a predicted iodine value of 35. Berry extracts had a refractive index of 17 °Brix. A positive Fehlings test confirmed the presence of reducing sugars. The fruit is low acid with a pH of 6, and a titratable acidity of 0.165 g of tartaric acid per 100 mL of juice. FTIR analysis of ashed samples indicated the presence of the minerals potassium and phosphorus. CONCLUSION: C. sicyoides berries possess high levels of free radical scavenging activity and may be a novel source of antioxidants. Show more

Keywords: Cissus sicyoides, PAL, antioxidant activity, phenolics, fatty acids, ascorbic acid

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170148

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 117-127, 2017

Authors: Segantini, Daniela M. | Threlfall, Renee | Clark, John R. | Brownmiller, Cindi R. | Howard, Luke R. | Lawless, Lydia J.R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since the consumption of fresh blackberries has increased, the demand for new cultivars with extended postharvest quality that meet consumer expectations has increased. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify fresh-market blackberry genotypes with high postharvest potential and evaluate changes in physiochemical and sensory attributes. METHODS: Fruit quality, chemical composition and descriptive sensory attributes of five blackberry cultivars (Natchez, Osage, Ouachita, Prime-Ark® 45 and Prime-Ark® Traveler) and six advanced breeding selections from the University of Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program were evaluated at harvest and after 7 days of storage (2°C and …90% RH). Fruit quality (firmness, red drupelets, weight loss and unmarketability) and chemical composition (basic composition and phytochemicals) were evaluated, and a trained descriptive sensory panel (n  = 8-9) evaluated blackberry attributes for appearance, basic tastes, feeling factors, aromatics and texture. RESULTS: The blackberries had soluble solids of 6.6–10.9% and titratable acidity of 0.5–1.5% at harvest. ‘Natchez’ had the lowest percent of unmarketable fruit (2.9%) and A-2418 had the highest (53.6%) after 7 days of postharvest storage. After 7 days of storage, ‘Natchez’ and A-2453 had low incidence of red drupelets and high uniformity of color and ‘Natchez’ and A-2491 were associated with the sensory attributes of sweetness and overall aromatic impact. The sensory panelists could not perceive differences in color, uniformity of color, glossiness, firmness or sweetness after storage, but perceived blackberries as more astringent and less sour and bitter after storage. These sensory findings correspond with the fruit quality and chemical composition data that indicated no changes for incidence of red drupelets, firmness or soluble solids of blackberries after storage. However, blackberries had increased total phenolics, flavonols, anthocyanins and ellagitannins, and decreased titratable acidity after storage. After storage, total phenolics and total ellagitannins of blackberries were positively correlated to bitter and sour basic tastes. CONCLUSION: Fruit quality and chemical composition analyses correlated to sensory attributes and may assist blackberry breeders in developing cultivars with extended postharvest storage and superior fruit attributes. ‘Natchez’, A-2453 and A-2491 showed positive fruit attributes in this study and have potential for the development of future cultivars or used as parents for crosses in blackberry breeding programs. Show more

Keywords: Fruit quality, phenolic compounds, sensory perception, Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170153

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 129-145, 2017