Search Results (38)

This study revealed variations in the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonols, anthocyanins, and triterpene compounds in small cranberry fruit samples collected from a bog-type natural habitat in Lithuania during intensive ripening of the fruit. The highest total amounts of identified flavonols were determined at the beginning of fruit ripening on September 10 (1232.84 ± 31.73 µg/g). The highest total amounts of proanthocyanidins (1.85 ± 0.02 mg EE/g, p < 0.05), anthocyanins (4096.79 ± 5.93 µg/g, p < 0.05), and triterpene compounds (8248.46 ± 125.60 µg/g, p < 0.05) were detected in small cranberry fruit samples collected in the middle of the ripening period (September 16–18). The most potent in vitro antiradical and reducing activity was found in extracts of small cranberry fruit collected on September 10 (95.25 ± 1.15 µmol TE/g and 159.26 ± 0.77 µmol/g, respectively). The strongest correlation was found between the total content of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in the small cranberry fruit samples and the in vitro reducing activity of their extracts (0.858, p < 0.01). Among the individual compounds, the strongest correlation was observed between the amounts of isoquercitrin and guaijaverin in V. oxycoccos fruit samples and the in vitro reducing activity as assessed by the CUPRAC method (0.844, p < 0.01 and 0.769, p < 0.05, respectively). Full article

Amino acids are vital gradient compounds involved in protein synthesis and the regulation of physiological functions. Ten essential amino acids cannot be produced endogenously and must be obtained through dietary sources of animal or plant origin. Apples are among the most widely consumed fruits globally and contain not only vital nutrients such as carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic acids, and amino acids but also a rich variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic and triterpenic acids. Due to their diverse range of health-promoting compounds, apples could serve as a potential plant-based source of amino acids. Scientific literature provides fragmented data describing the qualitative and quantitative variation of amino acid composition in apples and their different parts. The purpose of this study was to determine the variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition of amino acids in whole apples, as well as in their peel and flesh samples, grown under Lithuanian climatic conditions. This study investigated 10 different apple cultivars, grown in Lithuania. A total of 15 free amino acids were identified using the UHPLC–MS/MS methodology, including 7 essential and 8 nonessential amino acids. In the apple sample, the predominant amino acid was aspartic acid (Asp). The highest content of Asp was found in apple flesh (742.73 ± 37.14 μg/g dw, p < 0.05), followed by whole apple (705.32 ± 35.27 μg/g dw, p < 0.05), and apple peel (370.78 ± 18.54 μg/g dw, p < 0.05) samples of the ‘Lodel’ cultivar. The distribution of total amino acid content (TAAC) in different apple parts is presented in descending order: apple flesh > whole apple > apple peel. The Lithuanian apple cultivars—‘Alva’ (547.26 ± 27.36 μg/g dw–998.13 ± 49.91 μg/g dw), ‘Lodel’ (561.85 ± 28.09 μg/g dw–954.24 ± 47.62 μg/g dw), and ‘Rubin’ (132.92 ± 6.65 μg/g dw–835.08 ± 41.75 μg/g dw)—were identified as those that accumulated the highest TAAC in their fruit samples. Full article

Silver nanoparticles belong to a highly versatile group of nanomaterials with an appealing range of potential applications. In the realm of antimicrobial and antioxidant application, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit auspicious capabilities. This research, for the very first time, endeavors to carry out biosynthesis of AgNPs coupled with fermentation using Medusomyces gisevii and Origanum vulgare L. (O. vulgare) plant species. Fermentation (F) via Medusomyces gisevii is responsible for chemical, physical, biological, and electrochemical processes. During in vitro study of antioxidant activity, fermented O. vulgare herb extract showed strong reductive activity as evaluated by the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) assay, with a value of 1.45 ± 0.048 mmol TE/g, 0.95 ± 0.04 mmol TE/g, and 0.59 ± 0.023 mmol TE/g, respectively. The highest antimicrobial activity was shown by Staphylococcus aureus in the inhibition zone, with values of 1.40 ± 0.12 mm of OrV and of 10.30 ± 0.04 mm and 11.54 ± 0.10 mm for OrV-AgNPs and OrV-F-AgNPs, respectively. Analysis of phenolic compounds revealed that the highest total amount of the apigenin, 87.78 µg/g, was detected in OrV-F-AgNPs and the lowest amount, 16.56 µg/g, in OrV-AgNPs. Moreover, in OrV-F-AgNPs, the collective amount of proanthocyanidins, hydroxycinnamic, and flavonoids was prominently high in all cases, i.e., 145.00 ± 0.02 mg EE/g DW, 2.86 ± 0.01 mg CAE/g DW, and 0.55 ± 0.01 mg RE/g DW, respectively, as compared to the original extract (102.1 ± 0.03 mg EE/g DW, 2.78 ± 0.02 mg CAE/g DW, and 0.47 ± 0.01 mg RE/g DW, respectively). During the characterization of biosynthesized nanoparticles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AgNPs demonstrated a uniform spherical shape with even distribution. The sample’s elemental composition was confirmed with a signal of 3.2 keV using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed silver nanoparticles that were round and spherical in shape in both stacked and congested form, with a size range of less than 30 nm. Thus, this green and sustainable synthesis of AgNPs, a blend of Medusomyces gisevii and O. vulgare herbal extract, has adequate potential for increased antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Full article

The composition of flavonols, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, triterpene compounds, and chlorogenic acid in small cranberry fruit samples collected in natural habitats in Lithuania and variation in the antioxidant capacity of cranberry fruit extracts was determined. This study showed that in the flavonol group, hyperoside and myricetin-3-O-galactoside predominated in cranberry fruit samples; in the anthocyanin group, the predominant compounds were cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, peonidin-3-O-galactoside, and peonidin-3-O-arabinoside, and in the group of triterpene compounds, ursolic acid was predominant. The highest total amounts of flavonols and anthocyanins were found in the samples collected in Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve (2079.44 ± 102.99 μg/g and 6993.79 ± 350.22 μg/g, respectively). Cluster analysis of the chemical composition of small cranberry fruit samples revealed trends in the accumulation of bioactive compounds in cranberry fruit. Cranberry fruit samples collected in central Lithuania had higher levels of triterpene compounds. Statistical correlation analysis showed the strongest correlation between the quantitative composition of cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside and peonidin-3-O-arabinoside and the reducing capacity of the ethanolic extracts of the cranberry fruit samples assessed in vitro by the FRAP assay (r = 0.882, p < 0.01 and r = 0.805, p < 0.01, respectively). Summarizing the results, the geographical factor affects the variation of the quantitative composition of biologically active compounds in cranberry fruit samples. Full article

The phytochemical diversity and potential health benefits of V. oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon fruits call for further scientific inquiry. Our study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition of extracts from these fruits and assess their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties in vitro. It was found that the ethanolic extracts of V. oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon fruits, which contained more lipophilic compounds, had 2–14 times lower antioxidant activity compared to the dry aqueous extracts of cranberry fruit, which contained more hydrophilic compounds. All tested cranberry fruit extracts (OE, OW, ME, and MW) significantly inhibited the growth of bacterial strains S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae in vitro compared to the control. Cytotoxic activity against the human prostate carcinoma PPC-1 cell line, human renal carcinoma cell line (CaKi-1), and human foreskin fibroblasts (HF) was determined using an MTT assay. Furthermore, the effect of the cranberry fruit extract samples on cell migration activity, cancer spheroid growth, and viability was examined. The ethanolic extract from V. macrocarpon fruits (ME) showed higher selectivity in inhibiting the viability of prostate and renal cancer cell lines compared to fibroblasts. It also effectively hindered the migration of these cancer cell lines. Additionally, the V. macrocarpon fruit extract (ME) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against PPC-1 and CaKi-1 spheroids, significantly reducing the size of PPC-1 spheroids compared to the control. These findings suggest that cranberry fruit extracts, particularly the ethanolic extract from V. macrocarpon fruits, have promising potential as natural remedies for bacterial infections and cancer therapy. Full article

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae Juss. family. Cherry leaves are an underutilized source of biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of the phenolic compounds, as well as the total antioxidant activity, in leaf samples of P. cerasus cultivars and to elucidate the cultivars with particular phytochemical compositions. The phytochemical profiles of P. cerasus leaves vary significantly in a cultivar-dependent manner. The total content of identified phenolic compounds varied from 8.254 to 16.199 mg/g in the cherry leaves. Chlorogenic acid ranged between 1413.3 µg/g (‘North Star’) and 8028.0 µg/g (‘Note’). The total content of flavonols varied from 4172.5 µg/g (‘Vytenu zvaigzde’) to 9030.7 µg/g (‘Tikhonovskaya’). The total content of identified proanthocyanidins varied from 122.3 µg/g (‘Note’) to 684.8 µg/g (‘Kelleris’). The highest levels of phloridzin (38.1 ± 0.9 µg/g) were found in samples of ‘Molodezhnaya’, while the lowest level of this compound was determined in the leaf samples of ‘Turgenevka’ (6.7 ± 0.2). The strongest antiradical (138.0 ± 4.0 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) and reducing (364.9 ± 10.5 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) activity in vitro was exhibited by the cultivar ‘Vytenu zvaigzde’ cherry leaf sample extracts. ‘Kelleris’, ‘Note’, and ‘Tikhonovskaya’ distinguish themselves with peculiar phytochemical compositions. Full article

The bioactive compounds found in cranberry fruit are natural antioxidants, and their consumption reduces the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and urinary tract infections. Oral gels with cranberry fruit extract are a promising product that can ensure accurate dosage and release of the active compounds and are suitable for people with dysphagia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of polymeric materials on the dissolution kinetics of cranberry fruit anthocyanins from gel formulations. Gel formulations were prepared using freeze-dried cranberry fruit extract with different gelling excipients: chitosan (G1–G3), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (G4–G6), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose combined with carbomers (G7–G9). The dissolution test showed that the release of anthocyanins from gel formulations G1–G6 and G9 was most intense within the first 10 min, with little change in the anthocyanin content of the acceptor medium afterwards. For the formulations based on carboxymethyl cellulose and carbomers G7 and G8, the amount of anthocyanins released into the acceptor medium gradually increased, which prolonged the release time of the active compounds. The test for the release of anthocyanins from the semi-solid systems through a hydrophilic membrane revealed that within the first hour, the total amount of anthocyanins released from the modeled gel formulations (G1–G9) was within the range of 6.02%–13.50%. The 1% chitosan (G1) gel formulation released the fastest and highest amount of anthocyanins (70% within 6 h). The other formulations showed a slower release of anthocyanins, and after 6 h, the amount of anthocyanins released from formulations G2–G9 was <57%. Full article

This study was carried out to analyze the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid, and triterpene compounds in fruit samples of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. berries growing in the Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve in Lithuania. Studies were carried out on the phytochemical composition of cranberry fruit samples during the period of 2020–2022. Anthocyanins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid and triterpene compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-DAD methods, and proanthocyanins were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The content of identified compounds varied, as reflected in the total amounts of anthocyanins (710.3 ± 40 µg/g to 6993.8 ± 119 µg/g), proanthocyanidins (378.4 ± 10 µg EE/g to 3557. 3 ± 75 µg EE/g), flavonols (479.6 ± 9 µg/g to 7291.2 ± 226 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (68.0 ± 1 µg/g to 3858.2 ± 119 µg/g), and triterpenoids (3780.8 ± 98 µg/g to 7226.9 ± 224 µg/g). Cranberry fruit samples harvested from open oligotrophic wetland habitats contained higher levels of anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavonol glycosides, and proanthocyanidins. The highest levels of triterpene compounds were found in the cranberry fruits harvested in the spring of the following year after the snowmelt. The use of principal component analysis showed that cranberry plant material harvested in October and November had higher levels of bioactive compounds. Full article

The fruits of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. are an important source of bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies on the phytochemical analysis of cranberry fruit samples showed that the qualitative and quantitative composition of biologically active compounds varied in cranberry fruit samples collected from different types of wetland sites: the total anthocyanin content was 698 ± 24–8352 ± 200 µg/g, the total flavonol content—518 ± 16–2811 ± 31 µg/g, the total content of triterpene compounds—4060 ± 122–6542 ± 157 µg/g, the content of chlorogenic acid—17 ± 0.4 µg/g to 1224 ± 41 µg/g, and the total content of proanthocyanidins—919 ± 19 µg EE/g to 3038 ± 137 µg EE/g. The percentage composition of anthocyanins in cranberry fruit varied between the different wetland sites: in some cranberry fruit samples, four anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, and peonidin-3-arabinoside) were predominant, while in other samples, six anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, peonidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside) predominated. The results of these studies showed the differences in the composition of secondary metabolites in the studied cranberry samples and prove that the standardization of the qualitative and quantitative composition of cranberry fruit raw materials and the application of routine tests are necessary for the expansion of the use of botanical raw materials in the production of functional foods and phytopreparations. Full article

Cranberry fruits are an important source of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of excipients on the solubility of cranberry anthocyanins and their dissolution kinetics as well as on the disintegration time of the capsules. Selected excipients (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, beta-cyclodextrin and chitosan) were found to affect the solubility and release kinetics of anthocyanins in freeze-dried cranberry powder. Capsule formulations N1–N9 had a disintegration time of less than 10 min, and capsule formulation N10 containing 0.200 g of freeze-dried cranberry powder, 0.100 g of Prosolv (combination of microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal silicon dioxide), and 0.100 g of chitosan had a capsule disintegration time of over 30 min. The total amount of anthocyanins released into the acceptor medium ranged from 1.26 ± 0.06 mg to 1.56 ± 0.03 mg. Capsule dissolution test data showed that the time to release into the acceptor medium was statistically significantly longer for the chitosan-containing capsule formulations compared to the control capsules (p < 0.05). Freeze-dried cranberry fruit powder is a potential source of anthocyanin-rich dietary supplements, and the choice of excipient chitosan could be a suitable solution in capsule formulations providing greater anthocyanin stability and modified release in the gastrointestinal tract. Full article

In this study, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and triterpenoids in samples of introduced and bred large cranberry fruits from the collection of the National Botanic Garden of Latvia. The highest total anthocyanin levels (8638–9316 µg/g) were detected in the fruit samples of the cranberry cultivars ‘Black Veil’, ‘Franclin’ and ‘Early Black’. The highest total proanthocyanidin levels (2775–3389 µg/g) were found in cranberries of cultivars ‘Kalnciema Agrā’, ‘Kalnciema Tumšā’, ‘Searles’, ‘Howes’, and ‘Kalnciema Ražīgā’. The highest levels of flavonol compounds (1373–1402 µg/g) were detected in cranberries of cultivars ‘Howes’, ‘Black Veil’ and ‘Salaspils Melnās’. The highest levels of triterpenoids (5292–5792 µg/g) were determined in cranberries of cultivars ‘Kalnciema Agrā’, ‘Septembra’, ‘Džbrūklene’ and ‘Early Black’. The results of our study allow for the estimation of differences in the content of secondary metabolites in the fruit samples of the studied cranberry cultivars and for the selection of promising cultivars for further introduction and cultivation in the climatic conditions of the Baltic countries. These results are also important for the selection of the most promising cranberry cultivars for the preparation of cranberry raw material, and the high-quality composition of plant material ensures the effectiveness of cranberry supplements and other cranberry preparations. Full article

In our investigation, we evaluated the content of chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, triterpenoids, and phytosterols in cranberry fruit extracts of the cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Early Black’, ‘Howes’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Red Star’, and ‘Stevens’ grown in Lithuania, as well as changes in the antioxidant activity in extracts of fruit samples of these cultivars during the period of berry maturation. The highest amount of proanthocyanidins (8.87 ± 0.57 mg EE/g EE) and flavonols (3688.52 ± 22.85 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 12 August. Remarkably, the highest anthocyanins content (9628.62 ± 266 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 22 October. The study showed that the content of phytochemical compounds in cranberries varied between 12 August and 22 October; the content of proanthocyanidins decreased by a factor of about 2, the content of chlorogenic acid decreased by a factor of about 1.3, the content of flavonols decreased by a factor of about 2, and the content of anthocyanins increased by 27 to 450 times. A strong correlation was found between the total proanthocyanidin content of cranberry fruit extracts and their in vitro antiradical and reducing activity (r = 0.781 and 0.726, respectively, p < 0.001). The data of our study detail the accumulation of the phytochemical composition of biologically active compounds in cranberry samples during the stages of maturity, therefore these data are significant for the assessment of harvest time of cranberry and can be applied to select cranberry cultivars for further cultivation in Lithuanian climatic conditions. Full article

The leaves and fruits of various Sorbus L. genotypes have long ethnopharmacological and food-usage histories, but inflorescences are still underutilized and neglected materials with scarce phytochemical scientific evidence. The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profiles of inflorescence extracts of 26 Sorbus species, genotypes, and cultivars. HPLC and UPLS with MS detection were applied, and coupled data revealed unique phytochemical phenolic profiles. Neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids were the key compounds, reaching up to 5.8 mg/g of dw. Rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, sexangularetin derivative, and kaempferol acetyl hexoside were detected in all Sorbus inflorescence samples. Overall, high quantitative heterogeneity across the various Sorbus genotypes was found by profiling. Phenolic fingerprint profiles and sexangularetin derivatives could serve as markers in authenticity studies and quality control schemes. The species S. amurensis, S. arranensis, S. commixta, and S. discolor and the cultivars ‘Chamsis Louing’, ‘Coral Beauty’, and ‘Edulis’ could be used as target genotypes for production of smart and innovative inflorescence matrix-based ingredients. Full article

Cancer cells’ resistance to anticancer drugs represents a major clinical problem and the most important failure of treatment. Combination chemotherapy is more effective than monotherapy due to additive or synergistic effects. The aim of our research was to assess the effects of the combinations of apple extract’s triterpenic compounds, individual triterpenic acids, and doxorubicin (DOX) on human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human glioblastoma (U-87) cell lines in 2D and 3D cultures. The effect of the combination of apple extracts, the triterpenic standards, and DOX against HT-29 and U-87 cell viability was tested by the MTT and spheroid growth assays. Cell line HT-29 was more sensitive to DOX when incubated with all tested apple extracts than DOX alone. Cell line HT-29 was the most strongly sensitive to DOX when it was treated with 5 µM oleanolic acid (change of EC₅₀ = −64.6% ± 4.4%) and with 5 µM ursolic acid (change of EC₅₀ = −61.9% ± 8.8%) in 2D culture. Meanwhile, cell line U-87 was the most strongly sensitive to DOX when treated with 2 µM betulinic acid (change of EC₅₀ = −45.1% ± 4.5%) in 2D culture. The combination of apple extract (E3) and DOX reduced the viability of HT-29 spheroids the most (spheroid viability reduced from −19.9% to −10.9%, compared to spheroids treated with DOX alone). Our study in 2D and 3D cultures showed that combining apple extract’s triterpenic complexes or individual triterpenic acids with DOX may sensitize chemotherapeutic drugs and increase the cytotoxicity effects in HT-29 and U-87 cell lines. Full article

We carried out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phytochemical composition of the fruits of large cranberry cultivars ‘Ben Lear’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Kalnciema agra’, ‘Lemunyon’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Stevens’, and ‘Tina’ grown in Latvian climatic conditions. The following predominant compounds were found in cranberry fruit samples: peonidin-3-O-galactoside, peonidin-3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid. During the berry ripening period (from 16 August until 15 September), a trend of decreasing amounts of compounds was found in the fruit samples of the studied cranberry cultivars: the total amount of proanthocyanidins decreased by 1.3 times, the total amount of the identified flavonols decreased by 1.3 times, the total amount of triterpenoids decreased by 1.2 times, and the total amount of chlorogenic acid decreased by 1.7 times. During the period from 16 August until 15 September, the total amount of anthocyanins in the cranberry fruit samples increased by 2.6 to 17 times. The highest total amount of anthocyanins (5305.80 ± 27 µg/g) was detected in fruit samples of the cranberry cultivar ‘Kalnciema agra’ collected on 15 September. The amount of biologically active compounds in cranberry fruit samples varies during berry ripening. Thus, the choice of the picking time is one of the factors that determines the phytochemical composition of raw cranberry material. Full article