Search Results (74)

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods are known to influence the gut microbiota composition, but the temporal dynamics and structural specificity of these effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated how distinct ACN-rich fruit supplements impact the gut microbiome over time in the context of a Western-style diet. We hypothesized that ACN-induced microbial shifts would occur rapidly, differ by ACN source, and require continued intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried powders from bilberry (BB), tart cherry (TC), chokeberry (CB), elderberry (EB), black currant (BC), or black raspberry (BRB) for 0, 1, 3, or 7 days. Cocoa polyphenols (CPs) were included as a comparator with a distinct polyphenol profile. Fecal microbiota were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days post exposure and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: ACN-rich supplements induced rapid microbial shifts detectable within one day of exposure. However, most changes reverted toward the baseline within days of supplement withdrawal, indicating limited persistence. Among the ACNs, BRB produced the most sustained microbiome alterations. Microbial responses varied by ACN source, suggesting that differences in glycoside and aglycone structures influence the community composition. Conclusions: ACN-rich foods can induce rapid but largely transient alterations in the gut microbiome, with variability linked to the polyphenol structure. These findings highlight the ecological sensitivity of the microbiome to specific dietary components and underscore the importance of sustained intake for maintaining microbial shifts. Full article

Black spot is a major postharvest disease of cherry tomatoes, caused by Alternaria alternata. This causes economic losses and storage challenges, so researchers are exploring alternative methods. The biological control of fruits and vegetables using antagonistic bacteria and yeasts is currently a research hotspot. Initially, the biological control impact of Bacillus velezensis T3 on cherry tomato black spot was investigated. Disease defense, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant-related enzymes were determined during different storage periods. The relative gene expressions of these enzymes were also confirmed using RT-qPCR. The results showed that B. velezensis T3 reduced the incidence of black spot disease in cherry tomatoes. The growth of A. alternata was suppressed by B. velezensis T3 cell-free filtrate both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, B. velezensis T3 induced the activities of disease resistance-related enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), and chitinase (CHI), and the activities of the ROS-related enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and reduced the rate of O₂⁻ production and H₂O₂, and MDA content of cherry tomatoes. This approach offers a promising alternative for extending shelf life, though further studies are needed to fully characterize its effects on fruit quality. Full article

Given the importance of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in plant defense and human health, this study aimed to evaluate black cherry tomatoes’ polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid content and enzymatic activity under greenhouse conditions. Black cherry tomato varieties—Indigo Cherry Drops, Indigo Rose, and Kumato—were cultivated from seed to the third harvest. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, β-carotenoids, antioxidant capacity 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and enzymatic activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), proline (PRO), and superoxide dismutase (PAL), were measured and compared. The Kumato variety exhibited significantly higher total polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, along with enhanced antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS) and enzymatic activity (CAT, PAL) compared to Indigo Rose and Indigo Cherry Drops, with free radical inhibition of 87.0% (DPPH) and 74.72% (ABTS). SOD activity was highest in Indigo Rose (0.21 U/mg protein), while proline levels were significantly higher in Kumato and Indigo Cherry Drops (6.40 and 6.63 U/mg protein). These findings highlight the antioxidant potential of black cherry tomatoes and their high potential nutritional value for consumers. Future research should explore how environmental factors influence their biochemical composition and potential applications in functional food. Full article

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a major immunosuppressive disease affecting young chickens, and causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry. This work represents the first pathogenicity assessment of Moroccan very virulent IBD virus. Molecular characterization and sequence analysis of this isolate previously identified specific substitutions, including seven amino acid substitutions in segment A, and I472L and E688D in segment B, specific and unique to Moroccan vvIBDV strains. Two chicken lines, broiler and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, were inoculated via the occulonasal route with 0.2 mL of the 10⁵EID₅₀ /mL viral solution of the IB19 vvIBDV strain at 29 days of age. Experimental monitoring was carried out for 10 days post-challenge (dpc). Clinical signs started on the second dpc, with peak severity observed between 3 and 6 dpc. The total mortality rate reached 10% in broilers (group G1) and 93% in SPF chickens (G3). Macroscopic lesions in G1 broilers included marked hypertrophy of the bursa of Fabricius (BF), followed by very pronounced atrophy, while macroscopic examinations of deceased SPF birds (G3) revealed very hemorrhagic BF with a black cherry appearance in 80% of dead birds. The mean Bursa/Body Index (BBI) of challenged broilers (G1) showed a decrease of 46% compared to the control group (G2), indicating bursal atrophy. Microscopic lesions in the BF consisted mainly of inflammation, with severe lymphoid depletion of the follicles in challenged G3 SPF birds. This in vivo study of Moroccan vvIBDV demonstrated a distinctive virulence profile, and confirmed its classification as a very virulent strain with substantial disease-causing potential. It is crucial to obtain comprehensive knowledge of the prevalence, emergence, pathogenicity, and control of Moroccan IBDV strains. Full article

Active packaging using an edible coating could be an essential and sustainable alternative solution to preserve the properties of fruits and to prevent food loss and food waste. Fruits generate significant food wastes and losses. Reducing food waste is a global priority. For this research, nature-based solutions (NBSs) were applied, using micro-sized chitosan (CsMPs) and selenium microparticles (SeMPs), which are green-synthesized from black tea leaf extracts, and thyme essential oil. In this study, the effects of the new generation active food preservative coating agents formed from combinations of micro-sized chitosan (CsMPs) and selenium (SeMPs), and thyme essential oil (Oil) on the quality of “0900 Ziraat” sweet cherry fruits after harvest were investigated. After the fruits were coated with edible colloid solution, they were stored at 4 °C and 21 °C for 20 days, and quality parameter analyses were performed on days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20. As a result of this study, it was determined that the application of CsMPs + SeMPs and the subsequent application of CsMPs + SeMPs + Oil from colloid solution coatings reduced weight loss, respiration, and decay rates. Also, it was determined that these applications were the most effective in preserving color values (L*, chroma, and hue), fruit firmness, total soluble solid (TSS) amount, acidity content and total phenolics, anthocyanin, and antioxidant capacity. These results show that CsMPs + SeMPs and CsMPs + SeMPs + Oil applications can be used as edible coatings to preserve the quality of sweet cherry fruits and extend their shelf life after harvest. This study’s results will contribute to obtaining micro-sized composite coating agents/agents produced with new technology to extend the shelf life. Full article

Prunus serotina (black cherry) is native to America and has five subspecies: serotina, eximia, hirsuta, virens, and capuli. P. serotina subsp. capuli is found in Central and South America with superior fruits found in Ecuador. These have large, juicy, and tasty fruits used for human consumption. They are available in produce markets and have important nutraceutical properties. However, no commercial cultivars of capuli are currently available. The main goal of this research was to understand if different morphological characters can differentiate unique populations of P. serotina subsp. capuli present in Ecuador. Morphological traits (tree, leaf, and flower) of plants grown from the OP seeds of 44 capuli accessions collected from three provinces of Ecuador (Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua) were characterized in 2019 and 2020. Tree measurements included the number of primary branches and growth habit. Leaf measurements included petiole length, leaf area, leaf height, leaf width, leaf apex angle, and leaf basal angle. Flower measurements included pedicel length, flower width, and flower length. Raceme length, number of racemes per branch, and number of flowers per raceme were also characterized. ANOVA were performed with significant differences observed among capuli accessions for all variables measured. No clear differences were observed across regions with PCA and cluster analysis that may support the presence of different populations. Full article

(1) Background: Genistein is a naturally occurring flavonoid with a rich spectrum of biological activities, including plant-herbivore interactions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of genistein on aphid behavior during probing in plant tissues. (2) Methods: Vicia faba, Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis, and Avena sativa were treated transepidermally with a 0.1% ethanolic solution of genistein, and the probing behavior of generalist aphid species Aphis fabae, Myzus persicae, and Rhopalosiphum padi was monitored on their respective treated and untreated host plants using electropenetrography (=electrical penetration graph technique, EPG); (3) Results: Genistein did not deter aphid probing activities in non-phloem tissues. In A. fabae and R. padi, a trend towards reduction and in M. persicae a trend towards increase in phloem sap ingestion occurred on genistein-treated plants, but these trends were not statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: Genistein is not a deterrent chemical against generalist aphid species studied; therefore, it is not recommended for practical application. Full article

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is highly nutritious and contains antioxidants that help reduce the risk of diseases. Light is a crucial factor in their growth and the stimulation of secondary metabolite production. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of light spectra on the development, physiological responses, and antioxidant capacity of radish varieties including cherry belle (CB), black Spanish (BS), hailstone white (HW), Malaga violet (MV), and sparkler white tip (SW) under a controlled environment. Various spectra of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light were used. The study found that using a combination of red and blue light (3R:1B) resulted in the highest growth in root diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight across all five radish varieties, with values ranging from 1.83 to 4.63 cm, 13.58 to 89.33 g, and 1.20 to 4.64 g, respectively. In terms of physiological responses, the CB and BS varieties showed a higher photosynthetic rate after exposure to mixed red and blue light (1R:3B, 3R:1B). Additionally, adding green light to the red and blue light also enhanced the photosynthetic rate, with statistically significant differences ranging from 3.31 to 3.99 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. The SW variety of radish exhibited an increase in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins when exposed to light spectra of 1R:1G:1B, 1R:2G:1B, 1R:3G:1B, and 1R:3B. The highest levels of phenolic compounds were 4.67–5.14 mg GAE/g DW, flavonoids were 1.62–1.96 mg Rutin/g DW, and anthocyanins were 1.20–1.58 µg/g DW. However, the antioxidant capacity of five radish varieties under different light spectra did not show significant differences. Thus, the growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant capacity depend on the optimal light spectrum for each radish variety. Full article

This study was conducted to characterize different colored lines of cherry tomatoes and derive information regarding their metabolite accumulation. Different colored cherry tomato cultivars, namely ‘Jocheong’, ‘BN Satnolang’, ‘Gold Chance’, ‘Black Q’, and ‘Snacktom’, were assessed for their firmness, taste characteristics, and nutritional metabolites at the commercial ripening stage. The cultivars demonstrated firmness to withstand impacts during harvesting and postharvest operations. The significant variations in the Brix to acid ratio (BAR) and the contents of phenylalanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid highlight the distinct taste characteristics among the cultivars, and the nutritional metabolites are associated with the color of the cultivars. The cultivar choices would be the black-colored ‘Black Q’ for chlorophylls, β-carotene, total flavonoids, and anthocyanins; the red-colored ‘Snacktom’ for lycopene; the orange-colored ‘Gold Chance’ for total phenolics; and the green-colored ‘Jocheong’ for chlorophylls, vitamin C, GABA, glutamic acid, essential amino acids, and total free amino acids. The antioxidant capacity varied among the cultivars, with ‘Gold Chance’ consistently exhibiting the highest activity across the four assays, followed by ‘Snacktom’. This study emphasizes the importance of screening cultivars to support breeding programs for improving the nutritional content and encourages the inclusion of a diverse mix of different colored cherry tomatoes in packaging to obtain the cumulative or synergistic effects of secondary metabolites. Full article

The task of tree species classification through deep learning has been challenging for the forestry community, and the lack of standardized datasets has hindered further progress. Our work presents a solution in the form of a large bark image dataset called CentralBark, which enhances the deep learning-based tree species classification. Additionally, we have laid out an efficient and repeatable data collection protocol to assist future works in an organized manner. The dataset contains images of 25 central hardwood and Appalachian region tree species, with over 19,000 images of varying diameters, light, and moisture conditions. We tested 25 species: elm, oak, American basswood, American beech, American elm, American sycamore, bitternut hickory, black cherry, black locust, black oak, black walnut, eastern cottonwood, hackberry, honey locust, northern red oak, Ohio buckeye, Osage-orange, pignut hickory, sassafras, shagbark hickory silver maple, slippery elm, sugar maple, sweetgum, white ash, white oak, and yellow poplar. Our experiment involved testing three different models to assess the feasibility of species classification using unaltered and uncropped images during the species-classification training process. We achieved an overall accuracy of 83.21% using the EfficientNet-b3 model, which was the best of the three models (EfficientNet-b3, ResNet-50, and MobileNet-V3-small), and an average accuracy of 80.23%. Full article

Natural oils from watermelon, cherry, black currant, grape and pomegranate fruit seeds were applied in the synthesis of biopolyols using the transesterification reaction. In this manuscript, the preparation possibility of open-cell foams from a polyurethane system in which petrochemical polyol was fully replaced with biopolyols is analyzed. Firstly, polyurethane foam systems were developed on a laboratory scale, and they were next tested under industrial conditions. It was shown that the foaming method has a significant impact on the foaming process and the cell structure of obtained foams as well as their thermal insulation properties. Based on the conducted research, it was found that the method of processing the polyurethane system has a significant impact on the properties of open-cell spray foams. Foams produced under industrial conditions have a much higher cell density, which has a positive effect on their selected physical–mechanical properties compared to foams produced on a laboratory scale. The open-cell biofoams obtained using a high-pressure machine had apparent densities 12–17 kg/m³, thermal conductivity coefficients 35–37 mW/m·K, closed-cell contents < 10% and were dimensionally stable at low and high temperatures. Full article

This study investigates the suitability of using caffeine-treated and untreated black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) wood as a polylactide filler. Composites containing 10%, 20%, and 30% filler were investigated in terms of increasing the nucleating ability of polylactide, as well as enhancing its resistance to microorganisms. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the addition of caffeine-treated wood significantly altered the crystallization behavior of the polymer matrix, increasing its crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity. Polarized light microscopic observations revealed that only the caffeine-treated wood induced the formation of transcrystalline structures in the polylactide. Incorporation of the modified filler into the matrix was also responsible for changes in the thermal stability and decreased hydrophilicity of the material. Most importantly, the use of black cherry wood treated with caffeine imparted antifungal properties to the polylactide-based composite, effectively reducing growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Alternaria alternata, and Trichoderma viride. For the first time, it was reported that treatment of wood with a caffeine compound of natural origin alters the supermolecular structure, nucleating abilities, and imparts antifungal properties of polylactide/wood composites, providing promising insights into the structure-properties relationship of such composites. Full article

Both spotted-wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii) and American black cherry (ABC, Prunus serotina) are invasive species with major deleterious effects on forest ecosystems in Europe. ABC, a host of SWD, can sustain large populations of SWD, and SWD in turn can constrain the regeneration of its host. Here, we examined the range shifts of SWD, ABC, and their range overlap under future scenarios using range shift models. In the current–future scenarios, both SWD and ABC were predicted to undergo potential range expansions in Europe, suggesting that their invasion risks might increase in the future. Climate change might be the major driver of range shifts of both the pest and host, followed by land-use and host availability changes; therefore, mitigating future climate change might be key for controlling their future invasions in Europe. The relative contribution of climate and host availability to shaping the potential ranges of invasive species might not only vary with their feeding habitats (polyphagy/oligophagy) but also with the relative abundance of hosts among available host reservoirs. Range overlap under current and future scenarios was mainly observed in the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Eastern Europe; this area is of high and low priority for the control of SWD and ABC, respectively. Full article

The cornelian cherry is a plant that annually provides fruits, drupe-type, ranging in color from yellow through pink, red, carmine, and almost black. Cornelian cherry bears abundant fruit in temperate climate conditions, which means that its dark-colored fruits can be treated as an excellent source of anthocyanins. After consuming, anthocyanins have a protective function in the human body. Raw fruit extracts and their pure isolates, rich in anthocyanins, have a wide spectrum of health-promoting properties. This review focuses on the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins from fruits of cornelian cherry, documented in research conducted in vitro, in vivo, and in humans. The results obtained so far confirm the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on the blood parameters, whose values are important in predicting and assessing the risk and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A beneficial effect on molecular and histopathological changes in target organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver has also been demonstrated. Anthocyanins from cornelian cherry have a strong antioxidant effect, which explains their protective effects on organs and anticancer effects. Moreover, they have antiglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The work highlights the perspectives and directions of necessary research. Full article

The use of alternative raw material sources in polyurethane chemistry is necessary given the limited supply of fossil fuels, their rising prices and the concern for sustainability. The production of biopolyols from edible vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil, soybean oil or sunflower oil is often proposed. In order to avoid conflict with the global food economy, non-edible or waste oils are hoped to find application in chemical synthesis. The possibility of using oils from selected fruit seeds to obtain biopolyols is analyzed in this manuscript. Five biopolyols were obtained from watermelon, cherry, black currant, grape and pomegranate fruit seeds using the transesterification reaction of the oils with triethanolamine. Thermal insulating polyurethane foams were then obtained by replacing 75% of petrochemical polyol with the biopolyols in polyurethane systems. Based on an analysis of the foaming process, it was found that the incorporation of triethanolamine molecules into the biopolyols causes a catalytic effect. The use of such biopolyols allows eliminating the catalyst from a polyurethane foam formulation. The polyurethane biofoams obtained with the pomegranate-seed-based biopolyol were characterized by the highest content of closed cells (45 vol.%). The lowest content was found for the foams containing the currant-seed-based biopolyol (9%). The foams were characterized by thermal conductivity coefficients between 32 and 35 kW/m·K and densities of approximately 40 kg/m³. Good dimensional stability and compressive strength between 100 and 250 kPa make them suitable for use in construction. Full article