Journal of Berry Research - Volume 8, issue 1

Authors: Zhang, Jiaojiao | Zuo, Benrong | Poklar Ulrih, Nataša | Sengupta, Pradeep K. | Zheng, Xiaodong | Xiao, Jianbo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dietary anthocyanins are plant pigments which occur with different chemical structures, being widely present in fruits and in many vegetables, are claimed to be beneficial for human health. The bioavailability of anthocyanins is the key factor influencing their health benefits. OBJECTIVE: Herein, the molecular structure-affinity relationship of anthocyanin–human serum albumin interaction was investigated. METHODS: Fluorescence quenching method was applied to determine the binding affinities of anthocyanins for human serum albumin. RESULTS: Demethylation of the methoxyl groups in anthocyanins enhanced the binding affinities. The number and position of the hydroxyl groups on ring [B] …affect the affinities of anthocyanins for human serum albumin. The glycosylation of hydroxyl groups on ring [C] enhanced their binding affinities for human serum albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins, show different characteristics for their binding to human serum albumin when the methoxyl groups on the ring B are demethylated or hydroxylated. Show more

Keywords: Binding affinity, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, human serum albumin

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170167

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2018

Authors: Luís, Ângelo | Sousa, Sónia | Duarte, Ana Paula | Pereira, Luísa | Domingues, Fernanda

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The consumption of berries and their contribution to improving the human health is a subject of considerable interest, have already resulted in several research projects and numerous clinical trials in humans. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition (total reducing sugars, total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) of some commercially-available juices of berries and associating it to their physicochemical (pH, density, and total solids), rheological and antioxidant properties. It was observed that in general, the juices analysed presented great concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins; and, in what concerns to their rheological properties, non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid characteristics …(n  <  1) were observed. The antioxidant properties of the juices were evaluated using both the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and the β -carotene bleaching test. Overall, the results of the % Inhibition of DPPH free radical by the tested juices indicate that they possess considerable capacity to scavenge free radicals, resulting in good antioxidant properties. This study demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of the juices influence their rheological behavior; and the phytochemical composition impacts their antioxidant properties. Due to their antioxidant capacities, juices of berries could be considered functional foods. Show more

Keywords: Berries, juices, phytochemicals, rheology, antioxidants

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170168

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 11-23, 2018

Authors: Khayyat, Mehdi | Barati, Zahra | Aminifard, Mohammad Hossein | Samadzadeh, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Barberry fruit is an important source of anthocyanin, and strongly uses for Zereshk Poloee, a delicious diet in Iran. OBJECTIVE: We are trying to find how fruit quality of barberry is affected under different locations and if sooner harvesting may be possible, which encouraged us to do these studies. METHODS: The present study was conducted in three different locations (Marvak, Marak and Amirabad with 2079, 1648 and 1480 m altitude) around Birjand, Iran. Fruit sampling was done 66, 98, 122, 155 days after full bloom (DAFB) and also in economical harvesting (EH) date. RESULTS: …The results showed that berry number, fruit fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), juice weight and volume, pH, total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), maturity index, anthocyanin and total phenols significantly changed with advancement of growing season under different climatic conditions. Interactive effect of sampling time×location indicated the highest pH in Marak and Amirabad and the highest TSS and TSS/TA ratio in Amirabad in EH, and the highest phenols in Marak in 155 DAFB and EH. The highest anthocyanin content accumulated in Marvak, exactly in EH. Using changes in FW, DW and volume of fruit, a double-sigmoidal curve observed for barberry fruit growth. CONCLUSION: Regarding to obtained data and specially anthocyanin accumulation, we propose regions with higher altitude for seedless barberry cultivation and production because of earlier harvest with more qualified fruit. Show more

Keywords: Berberis vulgaris, altitude, anthocyanin, full bloom, fruit growth curves

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170166

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 25-40, 2018

Authors: Erst, Anna A. | Gorbunov, Aleksey B. | Erst, Andrey S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bog blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum is one of the newer fruit crops. Choosing the most appropriate methods for mass vegetative propagation of V. uliginosum cultivars, including in vitro propagation, is crucial. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of growth regulators and light on in vitro rhizogenesis of V. uliginosum to determine the optimal method of propagation. METHODS: The following cultivation techniques were tested on microshoots of bog blueberry varieties ‘Golubaya rossyp’, ‘Nektarnaya’, ‘Shegarskaya’ and ‘Iksinskaya’: 1) ½ Anderson (A) medium supplemented with 3 and 10 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid …(IAA) and 2) 24-h aqueous treatments of microshoots with 148 μM IBA or 171 μM IAA and further cultivation in ½ A medium. In addition, we tested precultivation in darkness for 3 d versus a 16/8-h photoperiod. RESULTS: 100% rooting was observed in ‘Golubaya rossyp’ in all treatments of the experiments and with ‘Nektarnaya’ on the growth-regulator-free ½ A medium and after treating the microshoots with 171 μM IAA solution. Precultivation in darkness produced a positive effect on rooting in ‘Shegarskaya’ and ‘Iksinskaya.’ CONCLUSIONS: Response to in vitro rooting techniques varied between cultivars of V. uliginosum . Treatment of microshoots with auxin solutions improved in vitro rooting. Show more

Keywords: Berry crops, growth regulators, physical factors, rhizogenesis

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170253

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 41-53, 2018

Authors: Blando, Federica | Gerardi, Carmela | Renna, Massimiliano | Castellano, Sergio | Serio, Francesco

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, present in berries, are thought to be responsible for the health benefits of these fruit. Therefore, it is worthwhile to define the optimal environmental conditions to maximise their polyphenol content. OBJECTIVE: With the aim to define the optimal conditions for berry cultivation in an innovative environment, red raspberry, wild strawberry and blackberry plants were grown in a traditional greenhouse in comparison with two photovoltaic greenhouses with different shading area. METHODS: Hydroalcoholic extracts of ripe berries were evaluated by HPLC analysis, for their anthocyanins, organic acids and sugar contents. Moreover, phenolic content …(by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and antioxidant activity (by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity-TEAC assay) were assayed on the same berry extracts. RESULTS: Total anthocyanins, phenols content and antioxidant capacity tended to increase in berries grown under shading. The sugars content was, mostly, not negatively influenced by the shading. Conversely, the organic acids content, in some instances, increased along with the shading percentage. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that it is possible to combine the greenhouse production of high-quality berries (with a particular focus on polyphenols, bioactive compounds valuable for human health) with the production of renewable energy, in the context of sustainable agriculture. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170258

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 55-69, 2018

Authors: Rezaie, Maryam | Saboori, Alireza | Baniameri, Valiollah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a key pest of agricultural crop. One of the best candidates for biological control of this mite is Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). In this study, the olfactory response of the predatory mite to seven strawberry cultivars (‘Marak’, ‘Yalova’, ‘Aliso’, ‘Gaviota’, ‘Sequoia’, ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’) was studied using a Y-tube olfactometer. We used two-day-old female predatory mites that were reared on spider mite-infested strawberry. The behavioral response of the predator was studied in four experiments: 1) clean air vs . uninfected strawberry plant, 2) clean air vs . spider mite-infested strawberry plant, …3) uninfected strawberry plant vs . spider mite-infested strawberry plant and 4) two-cultivar choice test (spider mite-infested). In the first experiment, the attraction of the predatory mite to uninfected strawberry plant volatiles was significant. In the second test, the predators significantly preferred volatiles from strawberry plant infested with T. urticae to clean air. In the third test, 68% to 80% of the predatory mites were attracted to spider mite-infested strawberry plant volatiles compared with uninfected plants. Among the seven strawberry cultivars, the predator responses to volatiles of infested plants varied 62% to 83% and to volatiles of uninfested plant varied 59% to 75%. Herbivore – induced plant volatile emitted from strawberry infested with T. urticae attract the predatory mite. The last test showed that ‘Aliso’ and ‘Chandler’ were more attractive for the predatory mite. Show more

Keywords: Mite, strawberry, olfactory, cultivar, Neoseiulus, Tetranychus

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-170255

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 71-80, 2018