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Blueberry is considered a functional food due to various beneficial health effects associated with its consumption. Therefore, we examined the cardiovascular benefits of a blueberry polyphenolic extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were administered with blueberry polyphenolic extract for 15 weeks. SHR showed significant augmented media-to-lumen ratio compared to WKY rats and blueberry polyphenolic extract significantly improved media-to-lumen ratio. SHR also had high blood pressure (BP), cardiac remodeling, and diastolic dysfunction and treatment did not affect BP or cardiac structure and function. SHR showed significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and blueberry polyphenolic extract did not lower MDA. The levels of interleukin 6 and nitrate/nitrite ratio were unaltered in SHR. SHR showed a significant increase in the pro-apoptotic marker, Bax. Blueberry polyphenolic extract significantly lowered Bax. Our study shows that blueberry polyphenolic extract is beneficial in preventing vascular remodeling and cardiac apoptosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Similar to many other berries, blueberries are repertoire of many phytochemicals including polyphenols. Along with its considerably well-established role as a sought after berry, blueberries have been at the forefront of approaches to hharnessing health benefits from plant food sources. Several studies have attempted to unravel the role of blueberry and their major phytochemicals in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and reported their beneficial effects. Our pre-clinical study found that blueberry polyphenolic extract can reduce vascular remodeling in the setting of hypertension. This new finding further suggests the potential of blueberry-based phytochemicals. Further exploration of blueberries and their phytochemicals and positive outcomes from such studies can lead to substantial benefits for consumers and economy as a whole.

Alternative sprout inhibitors were tested for their efficacy in retaining processing quality of potatoes during long term storage. Carvone, dimethylnaphthalene and ethylene were compared to the commercial standard, CIPC, (isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate) and an air control, for their effects on sprout development, fry color and sugar content of potato tubers, during 25 weeks of storage at 9C. All treatments reduced sprouting although the amount of sprouting varied among treatments. At the end of the 25 week storage period, the amount of sprouting based on total sprout weight and maximum sprout length was, in order from least to most, CIPC, carvone, ethylene, DMN and air. Poorer processing quality due to darker fry color and higher levels of reducingsugars and sucrose accured in the ethylene-treated potatoes. If properly applied, these sprout inhibitors could be commercially acceptable, although each may have practical advantages and disadvantages.