Journal of Berry Research - Volume 9, issue 2

Authors: El-Mogy, Mohamed M. | Ludlow, Richard A. | Roberts, Callum | Müller, Carsten T. | Rogers, Hilary J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Strawberries are perishable fruits that decay quickly after harvest, but are valued for their distinctive taste and aroma. Melatonin is involved in plant resistance against stress, plant senescence and fruit ripening, and was shown to delay post-harvest spoilage of strawberries. OBJECTIVE: The effects of melatonin postharvest treatment on shelf-life and volatile organic compound profile were assessed in strawberry fruits cv “Luca”. METHODS: Strawberry fruit were treated with 100 μM melatonin and stored at 4°C for 12 days to assess whether melatonin treatment could delay spoilage without adversely affecting aroma. RESULTS: Melatonin treatment delayed …fruit deterioration by reducing weight loss and incidence of decay as well as maintaining total soluble solids, titratable acidity, anthocyanin, and taste. Melatonin treatment also significantly reduced CO2 production compared to control fruits. The relative abundance of the majority of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was not affected, however abundance of two VOCs that are important components of strawberry aroma were affected by melatonin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Post-harvest treatment of strawberries with 100 μM melatonin improved strawberry quality and conserved bioactive compounds after 12 d of storage. However, components of the aroma profile were altered in a way which may affect consumer perception of quality. Show more

Keywords: Ethyl hexanoate, fragaria×ananassa , melatonin, postharvest quality, volatile organic compounds

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180361

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 297-307, 2019

Authors: Canturk, Sevil | Kunter, Birhan | Buyukkartal, Hatice Nurhan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Berry skin tissue is important in viticulture and enology due to the storage of phenolic compounds. Changes in the berry metabolism and environmental factors may lead to changes in skin structure and composition. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effects of kaolin-based particle film (PF) treatment on histological properties of anthocyanin accumulation in the berries of cv. Beauty Seedless and Tekirdag Seedless in two growing seasons. METHODS: PF treatment was applied 3 times beginning from the berry set. Histological structure of berries was observed with optical and transmission electron microscopy. Accumulation of anthocyanins in berry …skin cells was determined microscopically and spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: In Beauty Seedless, total anthocyanin content was 512.93–605.90 mgkg–1 in control (C) and it raised to 606.98–666.44 mgkg–1 in PF treated vines. Total anthocyanin content was determined as 72.50–81.43 mgkg–1 (C) and 79.55–84.72 mgkg–1 (PF) in Tekirdag Seedless. 3 cell types were observed regarding anthocyanin localization: cells with no anthocyanin (type 1), cells with vacuolar storage (type 2) and cells with granular storage (type 3). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the PF treatment could be used for increasing anthocyanin concentration with cultivar-specific skin color in Beauty Seedless and Tekirdag Seedless grown in the semi-arid regions. Show more

Keywords: Vitis vinifera L., anthocyanin concentration, anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVI), berry skin, histochemistry

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180323

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 309-319, 2019

Authors: Jiang, Bo | Zheng, Shangli | An, Lijia | Guo, Jianli | Asakawa, Tetsuya

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blueberry juice is a common drink for relieving fatigue, but its mechanisms of action are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate changes in the dopaminergic system, especially changes in dopamine transporter (DAT) levels, in a fatigued state and assess whether such fatigue-related changes can be ameliorated by blueberry juice. METHODS: We investigated the expression of striatal DAT and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in mice subjected to a forced swimming fatigue task and subsequently administered blueberry juice (anthocyanin), caffeine, or Red Bull (caffeine + taurine) to assess DAT and TH changes in the nigrostriatal pathway related …with fatigue as well as their relief. RESULTS: Striatal DAT and TH expression was downregulated by fatigue and upregulated by treatment with blueberry juice, caffeine, and Red Bull. In addition, DAT and TH expression exhibited positive correlations with fatigue-related motor performance. CONCLUSIONS: We provided evidence of compensatory responses of striatal DAT and TH in the fatigued state, and treatments to relieve fatigue might upregulate the expression of both striatal DAT and TH. Moreover, small amounts of blueberry juice exerted similar effects as large amounts, suggesting that anthocyanin has relatively strong anti-fatigue effects. Show more

Keywords: Fatigue, anthocyanin, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, forced swimming test, blueberry juice

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180350

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 321-332, 2019

Authors: El-Mogy, Mohamed M. | Ali, Marwa R. | Darwish, Omaima S. | Rogers, Hilary J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Strawberry is one of the most highly consumed fruits worldwide. However, it is highly a perishable fruit postharvest. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of dipping strawberry fruits after harvest in plant growth regulators to maintain postharvest quality. METHODS: Treatments tested were: 2 and 4 mM salicylic acid (SA), 0.25 and 0.50 mM abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate at 0.25 and 0.50 mM (MeJA). Bioactive compounds and fungal growth were assessed over 12 days of storage at 4°C. RESULTS: Both concentrations of SA and MeJA significantly suppressed weight loss, decay and respiration rate and 0.50 mM ABA …also reduced decay. Both concentrations of SA retarded color development, and total soluble solids content was enhanced by 0.50 mM ABA and MeJA treatments. The most effective treatments for preserving firmness were 0.25 mM MeJA and 4 mM SA. Reduction in loss of ascorbic acid and bioactive compounds during storage was achieved using the highest concentrations of SA, ABA, and MeJA. Fungal growth was suppressed by all treatments but the best treatment was MeJA at both concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: All three plant growth regulators reduce postharvest changes in strawberry but effects differ amongst the treatments. Show more

Keywords: Fragaria × ananassa, quality, postharvest storage, bioactive compounds

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180349

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 333-348, 2019

Authors: Čanadanović-Brunet, Jasna | Tumbas Šaponjac, Vesna | Stajčić, Slađana | Ćetković, Gordana | Čanadanović, Vladimir | Ćebović, Tatjana | Vulić, Jelena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Considerable amounts of polyphenolic antioxidants remain in the press-cake during processing of berry fruits. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate polyphenolic profile, antiradical and hepatoprotective activities of wild bilberry (WBI) and blackberry cv. Čačanska bestrna (CBL) and cv. Thornfree (TBL) pomace extracts. METHODS: Polyphenolic profiles of berry pomace extracts were determined by HPLC. in vitro antiradical activities were confirmed with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. In vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by following activities of several enzymes and the levels of glutathione-GSH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. …RESULTS: Protocatechuic acid (3.36–35.18 mg g-1 ) and gallic acid (9.57–31.98 mg g-1 ) were the most dominant phenolic compounds in WBI, CBL and TBL. Strongest scavenging activity on O2 •- (EC50 O2  = 60.21 mmol TE g-1 ) and OH• (EC50 OH  = 3.00 mmol TE g-1 ) were found for WBI and CBL pomace extracts, respectively. The best result in neutralizing oxidative stress induced by CCl4 , was observed for 2 mL of berry pomace extracts kg-1 b.w. Simultaneous application of 0.1-2 mL berry pomace extracts kg-1 b.w. and CCl4 returned GSHPx, CAT and GSH levels to physiological levels. CONCLUSIONS: Bilberry and blackberry pomace are a good source of bioactive compounds with potential application in supplements and functional food. Show more

Keywords: Berries, HPLC, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180362

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 349-362, 2019