Search Results (5)

A hybrid two-route strategy for converting Cornus mas L. stones into bioactive and other high-value compounds was developed and thoroughly evaluated. In Route 1, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is applied directly to the stones biomass following an experimental design created with Design Expert 11. Route 2 involves Soxhlet n-hexane extraction of the raw biomass, followed by MAE of the resulting defatted residue. The efficiency of the two routes was evaluated by comparing total polyphenol, flavonoid, and saponin content (TPC, TFC, TSC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of all obtained extracts, the fatty acid composition of MAE (route 1) and Soxhlet n-hexane extracts, and the metabolite composition of MAE extracts recovered in Route 1 and Route 2. The series of analyses performed involved GC–FID fatty acid profiling and composition determination using HPLC-HRMS/MS. These analyses showed that Soxhlet oil yield was 4.00 ± 0.18% with low AA, whereas subsequent MAE extracts had higher TPC, TFC, and TSC and 1.7-fold higher ABTS values than those of MAE Route 1. The increased AA is likely a result of the higher overall phenolic content, especially the presence of the potent antioxidant methyl gallate, which was not detected in MAE Route 1 extract, and not identified in C. cherry stones until now. Our results show that the CCD-optimized hybrid strategy effectively maximizes the recovery of bioactive compounds, demonstrates the superior potential of Route 2 for obtaining antioxidant-rich extracts, and widens the extent of applications of the underused C. cherry stone biomass. Full article

The utilization of post-production and post-processing by-products aligns with current trends in sustainable fruit industry practices. Recovering valuable nutrients from such materials holds significant potential for the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Among these, cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) seeds represent a promising source of functional ingredients, particularly due to their oil’s rich nutritional and phytochemical profile. The seeds, accounting for approximately 9–10% of the fruit mass, yield an oil characterized by high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids—mainly linoleic acid (≈67.5%) and oleic acid (≈20%)—alongside palmitic (≈5.8%) and stearic acids (≈2.1%). Linolenic acid content, however, shows notable variability (1.4–14.7%), influencing the oil’s omega-6/omega-3 ratio, which generally remains below 5:1. Cornelian cherry seed oil stands out among other stone fruit oils (e.g., rosehip, apricot, peach, cherry, plum) for its favorable fatty acid composition and absence of cyanogenic glycosides, making it safe for human consumption. Beyond its nutritional value, this oil exhibits biological activity and health-promoting potential, suggesting wide applicability in functional foods and nutraceutical formulations. Despite progress in characterizing seed composition—including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, and tannins—knowledge gaps persist regarding the transfer of these compounds into the oil, particularly under cold-pressing conditions. Future studies should focus on optimizing extraction processes, assessing thermal treatment effects, and clarifying the variability of linolenic acid. Such research will support the sustainable exploitation of cornelian cherry by-products and the industrial-scale development of this high-value oil. Full article

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of time (20–50 min) and temperature (160–220 °C) of roasting on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) stones and to select extraction solvents (water and 50% and 80% methanol) to obtain reliable results. To maintain the highest content of bioactive compounds with a high level of antioxidant properties, roasting at a temperature of 160–180 °C for 30–40 min should be considered optimal. Incorrect selection of roasting parameters (>40 min and >200 °C) causes a significant reduction in the bioactive properties of roasted stones. Regression analysis showed a different nature of changes in the determined features during the roasting process at 160 °C than at other temperatures. The use of methanol, especially at a high concentration (80%), to assess the content of bioactive compounds in roasted cornelian cherry stones provides more reliable results. Full article

Glioblastoma presents one of the most formidable challenges in cancer treatment, remaining persistently incurable. There is a pressing need to explore less toxic alternatives, particularly natural remedies that could be applied in glioblastoma therapy. The aim of this research is to investigate the antiproliferative potential of selected stone fruit juices—tart cherry (Prunus cerasus), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)—on U87-MG and GBM43 glioblastoma cells. Their effects were compared with temozolomide (TMZ), the current standard treatment. Additionally, the juices were assessed for their bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential. Unlike the other two juices, blackthorn juice did not exhibit an antiproliferative effect on U87-MG cells. However, all three juices, including blackthorn, demonstrated antiproliferative potential against TMZ-resistant GBM43 cells. Cornelian cherry exhibited an even stronger inhibitory effect than TMZ. This observation correlated with cornelian cherry being rich in iridoids, while tart cherry juice contained significant amounts of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. This research sheds light on the potential of cornelian cherry juice as a source of bioactive compounds with antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma cells, particularly TMZ-resistant GBM43 cells. Further research is warranted to explore the potential development of these compounds into therapeutic agents, either as single entities or in combination therapies for glioblastoma treatment. Full article

The stone of Cornus mas L. remains the least known morphological part of this plant, whereas the fruit is appreciated for both consumption purposes and biological activity. The stone is considered to be a byproduct of fruit processing and very little is known about its phytochemical composition and biological properties. In this study, the complete qualitative determination of hydrolyzable tannins, their quantitative analysis, total polyphenolic content, and antioxidant properties of the stone of C. mas are presented for the first time. The 37 identified compounds included the following: various gallotannins (11), monomeric ellagitannins (7), dimeric ellagitannins (10), and trimeric ellagitannins (7). The presence of free gallic acid and ellagic acid was also reported. Our results demonstrate that C. mas stone is a source of various bioactive hydrolyzable tannins and shows high antioxidant activity which could allow potential utilization of this raw material for recovery of valuable pharmaceutical or nutraceutical substances. The principal novelty of our findings is that hydrolyzable tannins, unlike other polyphenols, have been earlier omitted in the evaluation of the biological activities of C. mas. Additionally, the potential recovery of these bioactive chemicals from the byproduct is in line with the ideas of green chemistry and sustainable production. Full article