Search Results (268)

Amid growing consumer interest in the health benefits of anthocyanins, the market for anthocyanin-based dietary supplements has expanded substantially. However, data on product composition and health claims in the Australian online market remains limited. This study characterises anthocyanin-based dietary supplements available online in Australia (July–August 2024), examining product origin, botanical sources, formulation, extract concentration, delivery formats, anthocyanin content disclosure, health claims, serving sizes and pricing patterns. Among the 121 products analysed, bilberry, elderberry, and tart cherry were the most commonly used anthocyanin sources, collectively representing 47% of the market. Capsules were the dominant delivery format (86%), and reported extract concentrations varied widely, with lower ratios (1–10:1) being most prevalent. Only 18% of products disclosed anthocyanin content (0.1–36%), with bilberry supplements accounting for the majority of reported values. Health claims were present on 69% of products and varied by source, with bilberry products most frequently promoting vision health, elderberry emphasising immune support, tart cherry targeting joint and exercise recovery, and cranberry focusing on urinary tract health. Declared extract (mg per serving) ranged from 10 mg to >1500 mg. Pricing varied substantially across products (AUD 0.02–7.40 per gram; mean AUD 0.78/g), with bilberry supplements consistently among the most expensive. Overall, these findings highlight considerable variability in formulation, disclosure, and health claim practices, underscoring the need for improved transparency and evidence-aligned representation of anthocyanins as bioactive pigments in the Australian nutraceutical market. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) exhibits relatively low genetic diversity because of the self-compatibility of some varieties and repeated crossings of the same genotypes. High-quality markers are therefore needed for their reliable discrimination. However, the most currently used simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers offer only limited resolution for genotyping purposes. Here, thirty new highly polymorphic SSR markers were extracted from whole-genome sequences of 299 sweet cherry genotypes. Then, 16 highly polymorphic SSR markers were selected, multiplexed into one PCR, and successfully verified on a collection containing 294 unique genotypes. Compared with the set of 16 SSR markers recommended by the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) for sweet cherry genotyping, our newly developed system has a seven orders of magnitude lower probability of the random identity of two genetically distinct samples than the ECPGR set (10⁻¹⁹ vs. 10⁻¹²). This higher resolution not only enables more precise genotyping but can also be successfully used for parentage or population analyses. This new and unique one-tube approach for sweet cherry genotyping will substantially simplify genotyping workflows, minimize errors, and save labor, time, and cost. Full article

In order to establish a rapid and sensitive LAMP visual detection method for Cherry Virus A on-site, this study used the conserved fragment of the CVA coat protein (CP) sequence as a template for primer design. The rapid visual LAMP detection method for Cherry Virus A was successfully established by optimizing the reaction system components (concentration ratio of internal and external primers, and concentrations of loop primers, Bst DNA, Mg²⁺, dNTPs and betaine) and reaction conditions (temperature and time). This method enables specific detection of Cherry Virus A and facilitates visual inspection of crude nucleic acid extracts within 40 min, significantly reducing the diagnostic turnaround time. The limit of detection is 67.54 pg μL⁻¹ (cDNA), which is 100 times more sensitive than PCR. Analysis of 70 field sweet cherry samples revealed an RT-LAMP positivity rate of 91.42%, significantly surpassing the 71.42% achieved by RT-PCR. This method is suitable for the rapid on-site detection of Cherry Virus, and can also provide a theoretical reference for the early diagnosis of cherry viral diseases. Full article

The growing interest in plant-derived bioactive compounds has intensified research on traditional but underexplored species as potential sources of health-promoting metabolites. This study aimed to compare the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant potential of fruits of Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) and Juniperus communis L. (common juniper) collected from two natural locations in Poland. Lyophilized fruits were subjected to combined alkaline and acid hydrolysis followed by extraction, and the released phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC–PDA. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin carotenoid content, chlorophylls, organic acids, and antioxidant activity (ABTS•⁺ assay) were determined spectrophotometrically. The fruits of C. mas exhibited significantly higher TPC (3584–3641 mg GAE/100 g d.m.), TFC (875–895 mg RUTE/100 g d.m.), TAC (247–266 mg CAE/100 g d.m.), and antioxidant activity (1544–1698 µmol Trolox/kg d.m.) compared with J. communis. Chlorogenic acid and quercetin were the dominant phenolic constituents in C. mas, whereas J. communis was characterized by higher proportions of protocatechuic acid, catechin, and kaempferol. J. communis fruits contained higher total organic acids, mainly citric acid, while C. mas fruits showed elevated levels of shikimic acid. Strong positive correlations were found between TPC, TFC, and ABTS activity (r > 0.90), indicating that flavonoids are key contributors to antioxidant capacity. Principal component analysis clearly discriminated samples according to species, with minor effects of sampling location. Overall, C. mas fruits demonstrated a superior antioxidant potential associated with a rich and diverse phenolic profile. In contrast, J. communis fruits were distinguished by a higher content of organic acids and a species-specific phenolic pattern. These findings highlight the nutritional and functional value of both species, supporting their potential application in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Full article

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

Numerous sectors of the food processing and oleochemical industries require oils with specific physicochemical properties. Fruit processing generates substantial waste potentially containing valuable raw materials for oil extraction. The significant volumes of apples and cherries processed in Poland prompted an assessment of their seeds’ suitability as oil sources. Seed dry matter, protein, and oil content were determined. The extracted oils were analyzed for acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, and sterol and tocopherol content. The predominant higher fatty acids identified in the sour cherry and sweet cherry kernel oils were linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), with mean concentrations of 45.82% and 29.23%, respectively, and oleic acid (C18:1, n-9), accounting for 41.54% and 46.59%, respectively. Additional fatty acids detected included palmitic acid C16:0 (6.23% and 5.91%), palmitoleic acid C16:1, n-7 (0.29%), stearic acid C18:0 (1.36% and 3.11%), arachidic acid C20:0 (1.13%), α-eleostearic acid C18:3 (5.07% and 9.48%), and α-linolenic acid C18:3, n-3 (4.09%). Given the substantial proportion of the oil fraction containing numerous potentially biologically active compounds, including nutritionally valuable fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols, apple, sour cherry, and sweet cherry seeds demonstrate considerable potential as raw materials for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Full article

Active biopolymer-based packaging incorporating phytochemicals offers promising sustainable alternatives for reducing postharvest losses and extending food shelf life. This study aimed to advance natural food packaging by (i) developing and characterizing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) using choline chloride combined with citric acid (CC-CA), glucose (CC-G), and urea (CC-U); (ii) obtaining bioactive extracts from Uxi bark and Jambolan leaves using these NADES; (iii) formulating babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with CC-CA extracts; and (iv) evaluating their application on cherry tomatoes. CC-U exhibited the lowest density (1.152 ± 0.037 g cm⁻³), while CC-G demonstrated the highest viscosity (18.375 ± 0.430 mPa s), and CC-CA presented the lowest polarity parameter (E_NR) value (44.6 ± 0.1 kcal mol⁻¹). Extracts obtained with CC-CA (YU-CA and JL-CA) showed high extraction efficiency, strong antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition > 95%), and antimicrobial activity, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although the coatings exhibited lower bioactivity than the extracts, they effectively reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, and preserved the microbiological quality of tomatoes for up to 9 days. Sensory analysis of bruschetta prepared with coated tomatoes indicated high acceptance (>80%). Babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with Amazonian plant extracts emerge as an innovative active packaging strategy aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Scientific research, within the framework of a circular and sustainable economy, has increasingly focused on wild plants and agricultural by-products as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for innovative applications. In this study, the plant species selected for extract preparation and evaluation of their dyeing properties included Isatis tinctoria L., Castanea sativa, Juglans regia L., Rumex crispus L., Arbutus unedo L., and Punica granatum L. Each extract was analyzed to assess its dyeing performance on cotton and other cellulosic fabrics. Cellulose pads dyed with peels of P. granatum extract (PPGE) proved to be versatile and effective, showing potential for use in extending the shelf life of various fruits such as strawberries, apples, cherries, and persimmons. The optimum dyeing condition for cellulose and cotton fabrics was found to be 6% w/v dye. These findings support the development of natural, multifunctional materials suitable for food packaging applications aimed at preserving fresh produce, as well as for sustainable textile dyeing. Full article

In the cherry-growing area of Apulia (Italy), sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars are commonly grafted onto Prunus mahaleb L. rootstock. This study investigated the influence of the scion on the fruit quality of the rootstock, an aspect that remains largely underexplored in studies of stionic interactions. In an old sweet cherry orchard in the Bari area, several ‘Ferrovia’ trees grafted onto P. mahaleb L. rootstock were observed, where some rootstock individuals had developed fruiting branches below the grafting point. We collected fruits from those mahaleb rootstocks and compared them with fruits produced by non-grafted P. mahaleb L. trees growing in the same orchard. Extracts of grafted and non-grafted mahaleb cherries was analyzed by HPLC-DAD and ¹H-NMR. Anthocyanins, coumaric acid derivatives, organic acids, and reducing sugars were identified in both extracts. Non-grafted mahaleb fruits were characterized by a higher relative content of malic acid, fructose, dihydro-coumaric acid derivatives, and anthocyanins and lower content of α/β glucose and sorbitol, with respect to the grafted mahaleb. The metabolic differences observed between fruits from grafted and non-grafted P. mahaleb L. were further supported by our preliminary NMR-based analysis conducted on fruit juice over two consecutive years. The results suggest that grafting may induce some physiological changes not only in the scion, but also in the rootstock, even in its vegetative (above-ground) organs, if developed. This work represents a novel finding and reinforces the broader understanding that grafting impacts physiological processes in plants. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antidiabetic properties of extracts obtained from ripe, unripe, and fermented (unripe) cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits. Polyphenols were identified using UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS and quantified by HPLC-PDA. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, while enzyme inhibitory activity was determined for α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Additionally, the effects of C. mas extracts on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes were investigated. The study’s results showed that each of the extracts tested contained varying proportions of substances with proven health-promoting properties. The extract from ripe fruits was characterized by the highest loganic acid content, whereas the extract from fermented unripe fruits contained a high amount of gallic acid, released through the hydrolysis of tannins during fermentation. The extract from unripe fruits exhibited the highest tannin content and the strongest antioxidant activity. All extracts inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase to a similar extent and improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without affecting INSR or SLC2A4 expression. In conclusion, extracts from unripe and fermented C. mas fruits may represent promising agents for alleviating insulin resistance and preventing type 2 diabetes. Full article

Fruits of the Laurocerasus officinalis Roem., known as cherry laurel, are found in the Black Sea region. This study examines the phytochemical characterization, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial potential of cherry laurel’s fruits, variety Novita, cultivated in Southern Bulgaria. The study is significant since it examines the phytochemical profile of this variety’s fruits for the first time. The carbohydrate composition of the fruit was identified. The total polyphenols and flavonoids of five fruit extracts (96% ethanol, 70% ethanol, 50% ethanol, 80% methanol, and water) were determined. The antioxidant potential of these five extracts was evaluated by three methods: DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. We found that the 96% ethanol extract had the highest content of polyphenols and flavonoids and the highest antioxidant activity values by all three methods. A correlation was established between the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity based on the calculated correlation coefficient. The antimicrobial potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the fruit of the laurel cherry was evaluated against twenty microorganisms. It was found that the methanolic extracts exhibited moderate to high sensitivity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and five fungi, while water extracts had moderately sensitive activity against Micrococcus luteus only. Based on the results, we can conclude that the fruits demonstrate good antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Full article

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) provide strong therapeutic potential due to their efficient gene-silencing properties; however, their instability limits clinical application. Nanoparticle carriers may overcome this problem; in particular, magnetic nanoparticles show great promise as they can be directed to the target sites by external magnetic fields, thus improving delivery efficiency and reducing off-target effects. In addition, magnetic nanoparticles offer a novel nanoplatform for theranostic applications, integrating siRNA delivery with magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia for synergistic diagnostic and therapeutic advantages. The present work reports the development of a novel platform based on biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles made of Fe(II)/Fe(III)-doped apatite (FeHA) nucleated and grown in the presence of cherry and pomegranate leaf extracts to enhance the colloidal stability and make it suitable for nucleic acid delivery under the guidance of magnetic fields. This approach allowed the obtention of FeHA suspension with increased negative zeta potential leading to very good stability. In addition, the functionalization with natural extracts conferred antioxidant properties also favoring the maintenance of the Fe(III)/Fe(II) ratio in the apatitic structure, inducing the superparamagnetic properties. To evaluate the delivery capability of the system, a model GAPDH-targeting siRNA molecule was employed. Its interaction with the nanoplatform was characterized by assessing loading capacity and release kinetics, which were further interpreted using mathematical modeling to elucidate the underlying release mechanisms. Full article

A growing number of studies evaluated cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits due to their rich phenolic profile. It is obvious that the efficient recovery of these compounds depends on the extraction method used. Thus, this study aimed at comparing conventional (maceration, decoction) and non-conventional (ultrasound-assisted [UAE], enzyme-assisted [EAE]) extractions. Two novel aspects were characterized: the first application of EAE for cornelian cherry fruit phenolic recovery and the use of untargeted UHPLC-HRMS metabolomics. Untargeted UHPLC-HRMS profiling in positive electrospray ionization mode annotated 342 compounds, the broadest chemical analysis of C. mas fruits reported to date, followed by a semi-quantitative assessment of main phenolic compound subclasses using representative standards and multivariate statistical approaches. UAE proved most effective for recovering total flavonoids (433.6 μg eq./g) and phenolic acids (420.2 μg eq./g), while EAE selectively enriched other phenolic category compounds, semi-quantified as oleuropein equivalents (1975.4 μg eq./g). Multivariate analysis further confirmed distinct phytochemical fingerprints across extraction methods: the UAE extract was characterized by isocoumarin 2,4-di-O-methylolivetonide, while two compounds, cardamonin and ellagic acid arabinoside, were specifically up-accumulated in the EAE extract. All extracts showed moderate antioxidant (UAE > decoction > maceration > EAE) and enzyme inhibitory activities, with UAE and maceration being the most promising for multifunctional bioactivity. However, while untargeted UHPLC-HRMS revealed unprecedented complexity, results remain tentative and highlight the need for future targeted validation. 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

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