Journal of Berry Research - Volume 13, issue 2

Authors: Yousefi, Samaneh | Eshghi, Saeid | Jamali, Babak

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The normal growth and yield of strawberry plant are affected by lack of balanced fertilization. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different N/K ratios of nutrient solution on yield, some biochemical characteristics, macro-, and micronutrient concentrations, absorption, and translocation factor in strawberry ‘Camarosa’. METHODS: Three concentration levels of K (200, 250, and 300 mg l–1, using KNO3 , KCl, and K2 SO4 ) and two concentration levels of N (120 and 180 mg l–1, using NH4 H2 PO4 , Ca(NO3)2 , and KNO3 ) were applied during two vegetative and reproductive growth …stages. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest productivity (149.05 g/plant), soluble sugars, and starch content were obtained from plants which had received a K/N ratio of 200/180 and 300/120 mg l–1 during the vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Plants treated with the highest K and N concentrations (300 and 180 mg l–1 , respectively) during the vegetative and reproductive stages had the highest leaf area, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), as well as shoot and root dry weight. High N and low K concentration in the nutrient solution increased concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn while decreased K and Fe concentrations. In addition, higher N levels increased the uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. At a K/N ratio of 200/120 mg l–1 , the translocation factor of N decreased, while the translocation factor of K and Mg increased. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the changes in the K/N ratio significantly affected the concentration of nutrient elements, absorption and translocation factor. Show more

Keywords: Fragaria ananassa, potassium, nitrogen, nutrients balance, productivity

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-220056

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 95-106, 2023

Authors: Eraso-Grisales, Soany | Cortés-Rodríguez, Misael | Gallón-Bedoya, Manuela | Herrera-Herrera, Edgar | Ortega-Toro, Rodrigo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cape gooseberry (CG) is a fruit with nutritional and sensory attributes that generate significant consumer interest. Consumption patterns of this fruit must be in line with the diversification of its value-added products to be offered to new markets. OBJECTIVE: The research aim was to optimize the encapsulants formulation and the spray-drying (SD) process for developing of a powdered mix (PMCG ) of CG based pulp, seed and peel, using the response surface methodology (RSM). METHODS: A RSM was used, with a face-centered central composite experimental design (α= 1). The independent variables (IV) were gum arabic (GA) …(1 – 3% w/w), maltodextrin (MD) (11,5 – 13,5% w/w), air inlet temperature (AIT) (130 – 160 °C), air outlet temperature (AOT) (75 – 85 °C), and atomizer disc speed (ADS) (18000 – 22000 rpm). The dependent variables (DV) of the PMCG were moisture, solubility, hygroscopicity, wettability (We), color coordinates L* and b*, total phenols (TP), antioxidant capacity, and yield. RESULTS: The experimental optimization presented a desirability of 68.0%, with GA and MD levels in the PMCG of 2.2 and 10.1% p/p, respectively, and process conditions of AIT = 160 °C, AOT = 77.8 °C and ADS = 21450 rpm. The IV with the most significant effect on the DV was the MD. It was observed that the increase in MD decreases the PMCG moisture content, hygroscopicity, and the content of bioactive compounds, but increases the solubility and the values of L* and b*. The SD process was an effective technology that allowed obtaining PMCG with excellent quality attributes. CONCLUSIONS: In the process, greater use was made of the structure of the CG (pulp, seed, and peel), which gave high CG solids to the PMCG obtained and allowed more effective use of the fruit and higher economic viability in the SD process. Show more

Keywords: Physalis peruviana L., response surface methodology, dry process, powder food, functional foods, antioxidants

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-220079

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 107-120, 2023

Authors: Cao, Weiyu | Shu, Nan | Yang, Yiming | Wen, Jinli | Lu, Wenpeng

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In todays’ society, the rapid development of the wine industry and the improvement of peoples’ living standards make people pay more and more attention to wine grape quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the wine grape varieties in Northeast Chinas’ grape growing regions for better wine grape quality, we evaluated the quality of different varieties of wine grapes. METHODS: The grape varieties ‘Hassan’ ‘Zuoshaner’ ‘Beibinghong’ ‘Zuoyouhong’ ‘Beta’ ‘Shuanghong’ ‘Zijingganlu’ ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Syrah’ were planted in the grape growing area of Jilin, Northeast China, were used as the subjects of this study. The grape berries were analyzed …and tested for morphological indicators, basic physicochemical indicators, color, and phenolic and aromatic composition. RESULTS: According to lab results, ‘Hassan’ contained the highest amount of total phenolics; ‘Zuoyouhong’ had the highest solids and total sugar content; ‘Shuanghong’ had the most elevated total acid and anthocyanin content; ‘Zijngganlu’ had the highest tannin content and acid fixation ratio; Seventy-one volatile compounds were detected in nine grape varieties. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the nine grape varieties has a distinctive flavor, and because of this, grape processing products with regional flavors can be created. The same offer valuable data for future scientific grape resource collection, conservation, and exploitation. Show more

Keywords: Grape berries, quality, volatile compounds, aroma-presenting substance

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-220080

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 121-144, 2023

Authors: Wen, Yao | Su, Caimei | Mai, Xueying

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aiming to reduce the environmental contamination and resource wastage generated by discarded grape seed, the management of discarded grape seed should be carried out and their potential bioactivities and pharmacological properties ought to be exploited to the fullest extent possible. A Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology was employed to further optimize microwave-assisted extraction setting for grape seed total flavonoids (GSFE). In addition, the extract (GSFE) of total flavonoids obtained were refined through AB-8 macroporous resin for obtaining more pure flavonoid (GSFP) with determination of their in vitro hypoglycemic activity and antioxidant activity. The results indicated that following optimized …extraction conditions were achieved: ethanol concentration 50% liquid-solid ratio 21:1 mL/g, microwave power 540 W, microwave time 126 s. Below mentioned conditions, the extraction yield reached an average experimental value (1.979 mg/g), representing 1.69 times higher than that of water extraction (1.17 mg/g). In contrast to GSFE, the purity of GSFE after purification (GSFP) exhibited a high degree of purity at 13.753 mg/g, representing nearly 2.50 times that of GSFE (3.926 mg/g). GSFP possessed high α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities as well as DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging activities with an IC50 value of 0.00641, 0.0257, 0.0669 and 0.0708 mg/mL, inferior to that of GSFE (0.0514, 0.186, 0.129 and 0.223 mg/g). Within present work, the microwave technique for extraction of total flavonoids from grape seeds was investigated with an efficient and cost-effective extraction method. Total flavonoids of grape seeds have certain in vitro blood glucose and antioxidant activity, and the purified total flavonoid biological activity has improved, laying the foundation for further study of its pharmacological activity. Show more

Keywords: Total flavonoids from grape seeds, response surface methodology, optimization, microwave-assisted extraction, biological activity

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-220081

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 145-159, 2023

Authors: Fang, Xiangjun | Wu, Weijie | Mu, Honglei | Chen, Hangjun | Zheng, Xiaolin | Gao, Haiyan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blueberry contains an abundance of anthocyanins, which are a bioactive component of this fruit. Anthocyanins can be extracted via various methods, and each has pros and cons. OBJECTIVE: This current study reported the optimal conditions for the ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction of blueberry anthocyanins simulated using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a genetic algorithm (GA). METHODS: The Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used for the RSM, and the extraction conditions were as follows: temperature, 42°C; ultrasonic power, 310 W; enzyme volume, 0.25%; and extraction time, 42 min. RESULTS: The maximum predicted extraction yield was 6.67 mg/g. The …antioxidant activity of anthocyanins extracted via RSM and GA was based on the hydroxyl free radical activity and supersonic anion free radical activity of 230.50±12.76μg/ml and 4.41±0.36μg/ml, respectively. Anthocyanins exracted by the proposed method has stronger free radical removal capacity than that of Vc. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the combination of RSM with GA represents an optimized method for extracting blueberry anthocyanins for use in the food industry. This method can maintain high antioxidant potential and can be used as an alternative strategy for high-value products. Show more

Keywords: Blueberry, anthocyanins, response surface methodology, genetic algorithm, antioxidant

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-230016

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 161-174, 2023