Search Results (93)

Fruit tree leaves are an abundant agro-waste material with promising yet underexplored biological potential. This study compared the biological activity of aqueous extracts obtained from apple (Malus domestica), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), and cherry (Prunus cerasus) leaves and their kombucha-fermented counterparts in the context of cosmetic and dermatological applications. Phytochemical composition before and after fermentation was analyzed chromatographically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, while intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in keratinocytes and fibroblasts were assessed using the H₂DCFDA probe. Cytotoxicity was determined by Alamar Blue and Neutral Red assays. Antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial strains was investigated using minimum inhibitory concentration and disc diffusion methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells by measuring TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels using ELISA. The influence of the samples on collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase activity was also analyzed. Fermentation increased the content of selected phenolic compounds and enhanced antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing properties. Ferments more effectively reduced oxidative stress in skin cells and showed no cytotoxicity within the tested concentration range. These findings indicate that kombucha fermentation may support the valorization of fruit tree leaf agro-waste as multifunctional ingredients for skincare formulations. Full article

Sour cherry is a highly perishable non-climacteric fruit characterized by rapid postharvest quality deterioration. In this study, a novel biodegradable edible coating system based on chitosan microparticles (CsMPs), green-synthesized selenium microparticles (SeMPs), and thyme essential oil was developed to enhance the postharvest quality and extend the shelf life of sour cherry fruits. The results demonstrated that all coating treatments significantly reduced postharvest quality losses compared to the control. The CsMPs + Oil treatment was most effective in minimizing weight loss (9.44% vs. 13.54% in control at 21 °C) and preserving color parameters, attributed to its barrier properties preventing moisture loss. The incorporation of selenium microparticles markedly enhanced antimicrobial activity, with CsMPs + SeMPs reducing decay rates to 19.5%, compared to 50% in the control, at 21 °C. Additionally, CsMPs + SeMPs effectively suppressed the respiration rate and maintained fruit firmness, indicating delayed metabolic activity. Biochemical analyses revealed that the coatings moderated the increase in total soluble solids, total phenolic content, and total anthocyanin accumulation, while CsMPs + SeMPs was superior in slowing the decline in antioxidant activity. Among treatments, CsMPs + SeMPs and CsMPs + SeMPs + Oil emerged as the most effective formulations. This study highlights the potential of multifunctional edible colloidal coatings as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional packaging for extending the shelf life of highly perishable fruits. Full article

Antioxidants play an essential role in human health by reducing damage caused by free radicals. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents and the antioxidant capacity of two sour cherry cultivars (Cigánymeggy, Oblacsinszka) grown under conventional and organic production systems were evaluated over two consecutive years at different stages of ripening. Results showed that the concentrations of different antioxidant compounds varied during ripening, but more significant differences were observed between the growing seasons, whereas no significant differences were found between the investigated genotypes or cultivation methods. In 2024, total polyphenol values during the harvest period ranged from 1116.33 to 1874.39 mg GAE/100 g DM, while in 2025 they ranged from 909.81 to 1668.96 mg GAE/100 g DM. Polyphenol profile analysis showed that the main polyphenolic compounds of sour cherries, including cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-sophoroside, were detected in both years, indicating that the major anthocyanin components were consistently present despite harvesting year effects. Full article

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) exhibits remarkable phenotypic and genetic diversity, historically classified into morello and amarelle groups based on fruit pigmentation. However, the genetic foundations of these categories remain unclear. Here, we combine 10 SSR loci with S-RNase genotyping to evaluate genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and population structure across 27 Hungarian and internationally relevant sour cherry cultivars. The marker panel proved highly informative, yielding 78 SSR alleles and 17 S-alleles, with a multilocus probability of identity of 3.97 × 10⁻⁷. Phylogenetic reconstruction, minimum spanning networks, Bayesian clustering, and PCoA consistently resolved five genetically coherent groups that largely reflect known breeding histories and regional selection rather than fruit color classes. High- and low-anthocyanin cultivars frequently co-occurred within clades, demonstrating that pigmentation does not track genome-wide relatedness. To investigate proximate molecular mechanisms, we profiled flavonoid-pathway gene expression in contrasting accessions (VN-1 and ‘Pipacs 1’). VN-1 exhibited strong late-ripening induction of structural genes and MYB10, whereas ‘Pipacs 1’ showed attenuated late activation and higher early expression of ANR, LAR, and UFGT, suggesting divergent transcriptional regulation and pathway flux between the two genotypes. Together, these results indicate that fruit color variation is largely independent of the multilocus relatedness patterns captured by our marker set, and is likely influenced by lineage-specific regulatory differences. Full article

Exogenous glucose functions not only as a carbon source but also as a key signaling molecule involved in regulating root development and metabolism in plants. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this response in cherry rootstock (Prunus cerasus), we performed RNA-seq on lateral roots collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after glucose treatment. Transcriptome profiling revealed a dynamic and sustained transcriptional reprogramming, with a total of 461 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) consistently altered across all post-treatment time points relative to the control (T0). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified five modules strongly correlated with glucose exposure, notably enriched for genes involved in nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur metabolism. Functional enrichment analyses further revealed a pronounced overrepresentation of pathways associated with nutrient utilization, as well as carbon fixation, glycolysis, amino acid biosynthesis, and stress-responsive processes such as glutathione metabolism and MAPK signaling. Intriguingly, key transcription factors and signaling components were consistently co-enriched across multiple functional categories, suggesting the presence of a tightly coordinated regulatory network that links sugar sensing to metabolic reprogramming, redox homeostasis, and developmental plasticity. Notably, glucose treatment induced both activation and repression of nitrogen-related genes in distinct co-expression modules, indicating fine-tuned modulation of nutrient uptake in response to carbon availability. Together, these findings suggest that exogenous glucose triggers a systems-level shift in root physiology, coordinating primary metabolism with stress adaptation and growth regulation through tightly interconnected carbon–nitrogen–sulfur metabolic circuits. Full article

Fruit size and weight are valuable characteristics for cherry breeders, mainly because of their higher market price. Several molecular markers have been developed in recent years and have been correlated with fruit weight. In cherries, FW_G2a was identified as a promising hotspot for fruit size and weight characteristics. Two markers flanking that region were taken into consideration in this study. The local sweet and sour cherry collection in Érd, Hungary, was analyzed using molecular markers to identify possible correlations between the markers and phenotypes. The duration of phenotypic observations varied from 3 years in sour cherry to 5 years in sweet cherry. In our study, we observed correlations between fruit size and weight and the molecular markers of our germplasm collection. We confirmed the previously published association of haplotypes 190–255 and 192–233 with large and small fruit size, respectively, in sweet cherry. Individual alleles of both markers were identified, showing moderate to strong correlations with large and small fruit size in sweet cherry. In tetraploid sour cherry, a higher number of unique allelic combinations were found due to the higher level of ploidy compared to sweet cherry. Individual alleles were detected with moderate positive correlations with fruit size, while one allele showed a strong negative correlation with fruit dimension-related traits. These markers were found to be useful for the characterization of fruit size characteristics, for population selection and for the differentiation of the Hungarian germplasm collection. Full article

The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is an important fruit species in Eastern Europe due to its multiple uses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ripening-stage-dependent compositional changes in some Hungarian-bred sour cherry varieties (“amarelle” type ‘Korai pipacs’, “morello” types ‘Érdi bőtermő’ and ‘Újfehértói fürtös’), with a special view on biologically active compounds (anthocyanins, polyphenols, vitamin C, melatonin), organic acids, sugars, and antioxidant characteristics. The measured soluble solid content varied within a narrower range than reported in the literature, whereas the total acid content and soluble solid content were consistent with previous data. As the analyses were based on samples from a single year (2022), potential year-to-year variability should be considered when interpreting the results. The “morello” type varieties reached a higher amount of different sugar compounds than the “amarelle” type variety. Among the examined organic acid compounds, malic acid was detected in the highest quantity (176.75 to 669.44 mg 100 mL⁻¹). The vitamin C data (5.74 to 13.46 mg 100 mL⁻¹) had similarity to the literature data. The “amarelle” type ‘Korai pipacs’ reached the highest antioxidant content (131.11 mM AS L⁻¹) in the third picking time. Among the naturally occurring pigments the “morello” type, straining sour cherries reached a higher amount (113.71 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Érdi bőtermő’ and 59.4 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Újfehértói fürtös’ of cyanidin glucosides), than the observed “amarelle” type (23.42 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Korai pipacs’ of cyanidin glucosides). Melatonin was detected in all examined varieties (1.56 to 13.25 ng mL⁻¹). Full article

In recent years, Polish producers have been increasingly interested in organic fruit production. In this cultivation system, it is very important to choose cultivars that are less susceptible to diseases and pests. In research conducted in the years 2009–2019 in central Poland, the suitability of four sour cherry cultivars (‘Kelleris 16’, ‘Oblacinska’, ‘Debreceni Bötermö’, ‘Pandy 103’) for organic cultivation was assessed. The trees grew in two separate experimental quarters: conventional and organic, about 1 km apart. It was proved that organic sour cherry cultivation is possible, but there are many challenges. In the organic cultivation system, trees were more sensitive to low temperatures and grew and yielded less than those grown using conventional methods. The weaker growth and lower yields were mainly due to the ineffective protection against cherry leaf spot and brown rot. The fruit quality was closely dependent on the weather conditions. The fruit harvested in the organic orchard had a lower weight but tended to be firmer than that harvested in the conventional one. The smallest, but most abundant in soluble solids, were the fruits of the ‘Oblacinska’ cultivar. Unfortunately, they were infested by larvae of cherry fruit flies. Occasionally, the pest larvae lived in organic sour cherries of the ‘Pandy 103’ and ‘Debreceni Bötermö’ cultivars. In years with high rainfall, 20 to 35% of the fruit in the organic quarter was affected by fungal diseases. Full article

Polyphenol-rich fruits represent promising natural candidates for mitigating oxidative stress. We determined in dose–response manner the intracellular antioxidant activities of P. cerasus (tart cherry) extract in HepG2 cells using three different cellular assays targeting specific mechanisms of action: (1) the AOP1 assay, to assess intracellular ROS scavenging activity; (2) the CAA assay, to estimate ROS scavenging activity at the cell membrane; and (3), the HepG2-ARE-luc assay, to evaluate Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) pathway modulation. Tart cherry extract exhibited a high and concentration-dependent intracellular ROS scavenging activity with the AOP1 assay (EC₅₀ of 72.02 µg/mL), whereas antioxidant efficacy measured via the CAA assay was much lower (EC₅₀ of 6.975 mg/mL). Notably, P. cerasus extract did not activate the ARE-driven luciferase gene expression. Instead, the extract induced a clear dose-dependent repression of ARE-driven transcriptional activity, with a reduction in luciferase gene expression ranging from 20 to 70% across the sample tested concentrations (0.38–98 µg/mL). These findings suggest that, at concentrations where it functions as a potent intracellular ROS scavenger, P. cerasus extract exerts a negative regulation of the ARE pathway. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the compounds underlying these effects. Full article

The kidney plays a crucial role in the complex inter-organ communication that occurs during obesity, leading to the development of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Dysfunction of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels contributes to this pathophysiology. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of antioxidant-rich fruit tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) on kidney morphology and protein expression in rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Methods include histological staining and immunohistochemical and Western blot assays. Obese rodents were fed with seed powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS) of the tart cherry. Results demonstrated that rats fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) showed a significant reduction in renal expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) following tart cherry supplementation. Furthermore, the study provided evidence that TRP channels, specifically TRP canonical 1 (TRPC1) and TRP melastatin 2 (TRPM2), were significantly upregulated in obese animals (p < 0.05 vs. CHOW rats) and markedly downregulated following tart cherry supplementation (p < 0.05 vs. DIO rats). In conclusion, these TRP proteins offer new insights for identifying targets and biomarkers for developing therapeutic strategies against HFD-induced renal damage, characterized by glomerulosclerosis, fibrosis, and inflammation. Tart cherries supplementation exerted a protective effect on the kidneys by reducing protein oxidation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Full article

Metabolite fingerprint profiling is a robust tool for verifying suppliers of authentic botanical ingredients. While comparative studies exist, few apply identical conditions across multiple species; this study utilized a cross-species comparison to identify versatile solvents despite biochemical variability. Multiple solvents were used for sample extraction prior to analysis by proton NMR and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for multiple botanicals including Camellia sinensis, Cannabis sativa, Myrciaria dubia, Sambucus nigra, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Silybum marianum, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and Prunus cerasus. Comparisons were normalized by total intensity; deuterated methanol aids NMR lock but is not required for LC-MS. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) evaluated solvent efficacy. Methanol–deuterium oxide (1:1) was the most effective extraction method, yielding 155 NMR spectral metabolite variables for Camellia sinensis, while methanol (90% CH₃OH + 10% CD₃OD) produced 198 for Cannabis sativa and 167 for Myrciaria dubia, with 11, 9, and 28 assigned metabolites, respectively. LC-MS detected 121 metabolites in Myrciaria dubia in methanol as the most effective extraction method. Methanol (10% deuterated) is the most effective extraction method for comprehensive metabolite fingerprinting using NMR and LC-MS protocols because it provides the broadest metabolite coverage. This study advances fit-for-purpose methods to qualify suppliers of botanical ingredients in food and NHP quality control programs. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the biological properties of aqueous and aqueous–ethanolic leaf extracts from Malus domestica, Prunus armeniaca, and Prunus cerasus, which are plant waste materials. Phytochemical profiles were analyzed using HPLC, and antioxidant potential was assessed via DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity assays. Extracts showed concentration-, plant-, and extract type-dependent radical scavenging effects exceeding 80%, significant Fe³⁺ ion reduction, and up to 40% enhancement of SOD activity. In vitro studies on HDF and HaCaT cells revealed reduced intracellular ROS levels, indicating antioxidant potential. Cytotoxicity assays (Alamar Blue, Neutral Red) demonstrated increased skin cell viability by up to 35% at ≤50 or 125 µg/mL, while higher doses reduced viability by up to 70%, depending on the extract. Antibacterial activity varied among plant species and was effective against seven bacterial strains. ELISA assays showed anti-inflammatory effects, with IL-1β and IL-6 levels reduced by 48% and 40%, respectively, and IL-10 increased by up to 27%. These findings suggest that the tested leaf extracts support both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms and may be valuable as functional ingredients in dermatological or cosmetic applications. Full article

Research was conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station—Khan Krum, Northeast Bulgaria during the period of 2014–2017. The aim of the study is to investigate the suitability of selected hybrids No.20-181 and No.20-192, obtained by interspecific crossing ‘Polevka’ (Prunus cerasus L.) × ‘Compact Van’ (Prunus avium L.) as clonal rootstocks for sour cherries. The rootstocks were grafted in a nursery with the cultivars ‘M-15’, ‘Nefris’, ‘Fanal’ and ‘Schattenmorelle’. Prunus mahaleb seedlings were used as the standard for comparison. Characteristics determining growth, the quality of the planting material and the compatibility of the rootstocks with commercial cultivars were tested. The average grafting success rate reported in the spring of the analyzed cultivar–rootstock combinations varied as follows: P. mahaleb (83–90%), hybrid No.20-192 (87–91%) and hybrid No.20-181 (82–85%). The selected hybrid 20-192 (‘Argo 2’) rootstock produces relatively weaker growth than the mahaleb. Hybrid 20-181 (‘Argo 1’) is characterized by the weakest growth. Both tested rootstock hybrids produce planting material with standard trunk diameter and tree height. With the weak growth that rootstock 20-181 induces in the grafted cultivar and the drought tolerance observed in 20-192, it is appropriate to continue the study in an orchard. Full article

A novel primer (FaSt-R) targeting the Prunus-specific Falling Stone (FaSt) non-autonomous transposon was combined with start-codon-targeted (SCoT) primers to assess genetic diversity in 12 cultivars from six Prunus species and 28 cultivars of European plum. Compared to SCoT-only analyses, the SCoT–FaSt combination produced fewer total bands but a higher percentage of polymorphic bands, while maintaining comparable values for polymorphism information content, resolving power, gene diversity, and Shannon’s index. SCoT–FaSt markers generated bands across a broader size range, which made gel patterns less dense, enabling the more accurate detection of differentially amplified fragments. Neighbor-joining and principal component analyses confirmed that SCoT–FaSt markers provided sufficient phylogenetic resolution at both interspecific and intraspecific levels. The sequencing of 32 SCoT–FaSt amplicons revealed FaSt elements in 26 fragments, with SCoT primers preferentially annealing to GC-rich exonic and intergenic regions. Seventeen protein-coding and one RNA-coding gene were partially identified, with FaSt elements localized in UTRs and introns of genes with key physiological functions. Comparative analysis indicated a biased distribution of FaSt elements between the Cerasus and Prunus subgenera. In silico findings suggest that FaSt elements are more fragmented in cherry species, potentially contributing to subgeneric divergence. Overall, the SCoT–FaSt marker system is effective for evaluating Prunus genetic diversity, reconstructing phylogenetic relationships, and elucidating the genomic impact of an active Mutator-like transposon. Full article

The Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L., MTC) polyphenols may contribute to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in the body. However, a comprehensive polyphenolic profile of MTC products is lacking. This study provides a comparative analysis of the polyphenolic distribution of individual anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids in five MTC products (frozen raw fruit, freeze-dried powder, sweet dried fruit, unsweetened dried fruit, juice concentrate). Twenty-three polyphenols were detected, and 21 were positively identified. Results from three replicates indicate that frozen raw MTC has the most total polyphenolics. Juice concentrate, unsweetened dried MTC, freeze-dried MTC powder, and sweet dried MTC contained 26%, 40%, 60%, and 77% fewer total polyphenolics than frozen raw MTC. Hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins predominated, accounting for 87–99% of total polyphenols in MTC products. Chlorogenic acid, rutin, cyanidin-3-sophoroside, feruloquinic acid, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid isomers were noteworthy polyphenolics. Hydroxycinnamic acids predominated in sweet dried (82%), unsweetened dried (74%), juice concentrate (66%), and frozen-raw (54%) MTC. Flavonols predominated in freeze-dried MTC powder (52%). Anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin glycosides, were important polyphenolics in frozen-raw cherries (18%) but less so in other MTC products. These findings highlight the variability in polyphenols in MTC products and emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate MTC products for specific health benefits. Full article