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The metabolites entering the bloodstream and being excreted in urine as a result of consuming golden berries are currently unidentified. However, these metabolites potentially underlie the health benefits observed in various in vitro, animal, and human models. A nutritional intervention with 18 healthy human volunteers was performed, and urine was collected at baseline and after acute and short-term fruit consumption for 19 days. After UPLC-ESI/QToF-MS analysis, untargeted metabolomics was performed on the urine samples, and from the 50 most discriminant ions (VIP > 2) generated by a validated PLS-DA model (CV-ANOVA = 3.7e-35; R^2Y = 0.86, Q^2Y = 0.62 and no overfitting), 22 compounds were identified with relatively high confidence. The most discriminant metabolites confirmed by DHS/GC-MS 2 analysis of volatiles in urine were sesquiterpenes (C 15 H 22 ): 3 stereoisomers, β-vatirenene, β-vetivenene, and β-vetispirene, and 2 isomers, eremophila-1(10),8,11-triene and α-curcumene. Another major urinary biomarker was 4β-hydroxywithanolide E and its phase II derivatives, which were observed in urine for all individual up to 24 h after the fruit was consumed; thus, the bioavailability of this biomarker in humans was demonstrated for the first time. Additionally, the excretion of certain acylcarnitines and hypoxanthine in urine increased after golden berry consumption, which may be associated with a detoxifying effect and may occur because fats were utilized rather than carbohydrates to meet the body's energy needs. The main biomarkers of golden berry consumption are specific to this fruit, confirming its potential for the functional food market., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Golden berry ( Physalis peruviana L.) is an exotic fruit exported from Colombia to different countries around the world. A review of the literature tends to demonstrate a hypoglycaemic effect with an improvement in insulin sensitivity after oral ingestion of fruit extracts in animal models. However, little is known about their potential effects in humans, and very little is known about the mechanisms involved. This study aimed at identifying discriminant metabolites after acute and chronic intake of golden berry., Method: An untargeted metabolomics strategy using high-performance chemical isotope-labelling LC-MS was applied. The blood samples of eighteen healthy adults were analysed at baseline, at 6 h after the intake of 250 g of golden berry (acute intervention), and after 19 days of daily consumption of 150 g (medium-term intervention)., Results: Forty-nine and 36 discriminant metabolites were identified with high confidence, respectively, after the acute and medium-term interventions. Taking into account up- and downregulated metabolites, three biological networks mainly involving insulin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) were identified., Conclusions: The biological intracellular networks identified are highly interconnected with the insulin signalling pathway, showing that berry intake may be associated with insulin signalling, which could reduce some risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Primary registry of WHO.

Genipap ( Genipa americana L.) is a native fruit from Amazonia that contains bioactive compounds with a wide range of bioactivities. However, the response to genipap juice ingestion in the human exposome has never been studied. To identify biomarkers of genipap exposure, the untargeted metabolomics approach in human urine was applied. Urine samples from 16 healthy male volunteers, before and after drinking genipap juice, were analyzed by liquid chromatography⁻high-resolution mass spectrometry. XCMS package was used for data processing in the R environment and t -tests were applied on log-transformed and Pareto-scaled data to select the significant metabolites. The principal component analysis (PCA) score plots showed a clear distinction between experimental groups. Thirty-three metabolites were putatively annotated and the most discriminant were mainly related to the metabolic pathways of iridoids and phenolic derivatives. For the first time, the bioavailability of genipap iridoids after human consumption is reported. Dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid, (1R,6R)-6-hydroxy-2-succinylcyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylate, hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid, genipic acid, 12-demethylated-8-hydroxygenipinic acid, 3(7)-dehydrogenipinic acid, genipic acid glucuronide, nonate, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate may be considered biomarkers of genipap consumption. Human exposure to genipap reveals the production of derivative forms of bioactive compounds such as genipic and genipinic acid. These findings suggest that genipap consumption triggers effects on metabolic signatures.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly its UVB (280-320 nm) spectrum, is the primary environmental stimulus leading to skin carcinogenesis. Several botanical species with antioxidant properties have shown photochemopreventive effects against UVB damage. Costa Rica's tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) contains important levels of phenolic compounds, mainly ellagitannins and anthocyanins, with strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we examined the photochemopreventive effect of R. adenotrichos blackberry juice (BBJ) on UVB-mediated responses in human epidermal keratinocytes and in a three-dimensional (3D) reconstituted normal human skin equivalent (SE). Pretreatment (2 h) and posttreatment (24 h) of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) with BBJ reduced UVB (25 mJ cm(-2))-mediated (1) cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (2) 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation. Furthermore, treatment of NHEKs with BBJ increased UVB-mediated (1) poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and (2) activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9. Thus, BBJ seems to alleviate UVB-induced effects by reducing DNA damage and increasing apoptosis of damaged cells. To establish the in vivo significance of these findings to human skin, immunohistochemistry studies were performed in a 3D SE model, where BBJ was also found to decrease CPDs formation. These data suggest that BBJ may be developed as an agent to ameliorate UV-induced skin damage., (© 2013 The American Society of Photobiology.)

This study evaluates the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in a polyphenol extract from blackberries. The antioxidant activity measured via oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) was higher for the blackberry extract (4339 ± 144 μM TE/g) than for quercetin and ellagic acid. The blackberry phenolic compounds protected liposomes and liver homogenates against lipid peroxidation; in both models, the antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 7.0 ± 0.5 and 20.3 ± 4.2 μg/mL, respectively) was greater than that found with Trolox. The extract inhibited superoxide production by NADPH oxidase in THP-1 cells and nitrite production in J774A.1 cells stimulated with LPS+IFNγ, with nitrite production decreasing after 4 h of incubation with the extract, mainly through a strong scavenging activity. However, 24 h of treatment reduced the amount of nitrites (IC₅₀ = 45.6 ± 1.2 μg/mL) because of a down-regulation of iNOS protein expression, as demonstrated by Western blotting. The inhibitory activities found in blackberry phenols suggest a potential beneficial effect against oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.

Unlabelled: Osmosonication combines ultrasound with nonthermal concentration. It was applied on tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichus) juice over different periods of time to assess reductions in microorganism and the impact on main quality parameters. This juice had been inoculated with Salmonella spp., Shigella sp., a lactic acid bacterium, yeasts, and molds. It was then sonicated for 5.9 to 34.1 min at 20 kHz and 0.83 W/mL. Nonthermal concentration was simulated by mixing the juice with a concentrate to obtain 650 g TSS/kg. It was then stored at -18 °C for up to 82 h. The lactic acid bacterium, yeasts, and molds were reduced by 1.60 to as much as 5.01 log(10) CFU/mL, whereas, for pathogens, reductions were total ≥7.1 log(10) CFU/mL after 24 h of storage, even for juice not sonicated, because of low pH. Color, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanins, and ellagitannins did not change significantly during sonication treatment up to 32 min. However, an off-flavor was detected after 8 min of sonication. Nonetheless, osmosonication can be considered as an alternative to thermal processes for producing safe and high-quality concentrates., Practical Application: Osmosonication represents a potential processing alternative for producing safe and high-quality concentrated fruit juice without applying thermal treatments. Findings reported in this article can also be applied by industries when concentrating juices by classical means at relatively low temperature. It provides industries with a mathematical model specific for blackberry juice, from which different combinations of sonication time and storage time of concentrate can be chosen to achieve safety and quality goals.

Monomeric anthocyanin degradation and nonenzymatic browning (NEB) index have been determined in reconstituted blackberry juice heated at high temperature in a hermetically sealed cell. Statistical analysis demonstrated that, when the temperature range (100-180 degrees C) was divided into two subranges (100-140 and 140-180 degrees C) for anthocyanin degradation, reaction kinetics were well represented by two sequential first-order reactions. The activation energy for NEB from 100 to 180 degrees C (106 kJxmol(-1)) was slightly higher than the anthocyanin value at the lower temperature range (92 kJxmol(-1)), but was more than twice the value for the higher range (44 kJxmol(-1)). The reaction rate constant at 140 degrees C for anthocyanin degradation (3.5 x 10(-3) s(-1)) was two times that for the NEB index (1.6 x 10(-3) s(-1)). Hence, anthocyanin degradation was faster than the appearance of NEB products. The non-isothermal method developed allows estimating kinetic parameters and thereby generating temperature profiles of heat processes that would help preserve the nutritional properties of foods during high-temperature processes.

Anthocyanin stability was assessed over temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees C for seven products: blood orange juice [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]; two tropical highland blackberry juices (Rubus adenotrichus Schlech.), one with high content and the other with low content of suspended insoluble solids (SIS); and four roselle extracts (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). The blackberry juice showed the highest content of anthocyanins with 1.2 g/L (two times less in the roselle extracts and 12 times less in the blood orange juice). The rate constant for anthocyanin degradation and isothermal kinetic parameters were calculated according to three models: Arrhenius, Eyring, and Ball. Anthocyanins in blood orange juice presented the highest rate constant for degradation, followed by the blackberry juices and roselle extracts. Values of activation energies were 66 and 37 kJ/mol, respectively, for blood orange and blackberry and 47-61 kJ/mol for roselle extracts. For the blackberry juices, a high SIS content provided only slight protection for the anthocyanins. The increasing content of dissolved oxygen, from 0.5 to 8.5 g/L, did not significantly increase the rate constant. For both isothermal and nonisothermal treatments, all three models accurately predicted anthocyanin losses from different food matrices.

Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a native fruit of the Andes, cultivated and consumed mainly in Ecuador, Colombia, and Central America. Because of its pleasant aroma and attractive color, it has high potential as an ingredient of products such as juices, nectars, and jams. The main characteristics of mature naranjilla fruits cultivated in Costa Rica were assessed, including sugar content, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC), and total polyphenolic and ascorbic acid content. Carotenoid and volatile compound identification was also done. The samples showed sucrose, glucose, and fructose content of 1.6 +/- 0.3, 0.68 +/- 0.05, and 0.7 +/- 0.1 g/100 g, respectively. Total titratable acidity was 2.63 +/- 0.07 g citric acid equivalent / 100 g and total soluble solids amounted to 9.1 +/- 0.5 degrees Brix. H-ORAC value was 17 +/- 1 micromol Trolox equivalent /g, total polyphenolic content was 48 +/- 3 mg gallic acid equivalent /100 g and ascorbic acid content was 12.5 +/- 0.0 mg/100 g. Carotenoid content of the whole fruit and pulp was 33.3 +/- 0.6 and 7.2 +/- 0.3 microg/g, respectively. The predominant carotenoid among the compounds identified in the whole fruit was beta-carotene. Ten volatile compounds were identified in naranjillapulp, the predominant being methyl butanoate. The chemical composition of naranjilla cultivated in Costa Rica does not seem to differ from that previously reported in studies at different locations.

The naranjilla or lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a little known fruit that originated in the Andes. Commonly consumed as a fresh drink, it is particularly appreciated for its aroma. Besides its organoleptic qualities, the naranjilla also seems to have good antioxidant properties. We therefore studied the physicochemical characteristics of variety "Puyo hybrid"; determined its juice composition; identified its carotenoids and phenolic compounds, using HPLC-DAD and HPLC/ESI-MS, respectively, in each fruit part; and measured the antioxidant capacities of each part, using the ORAC and DPPH methods. We found the following bioactive compounds: all-trans-beta-carotene, 13-cis-beta-carotene, and 9-cis-beta-carotene and the lutein (carotenoids); chlorogenic acids and their hexosides in the flesh and placental tissues, and flavonol glycosides in the skin (phenolic compounds); and many dihydrocaffeoyl spermidines in all three parts of the fruit. The naranjilla appeared to be a fruit with good nutritional potential that can provide the basis for a new fruit-drink flavor or other fruit derived-products.

Cross-flow microfiltration (CFM) combined with ultra-clean or aseptic packaging offers a promising solution to meet consumer demand for more natural, non-heat treated ready-to-drink fruit beverages. However, membrane fouling can significantly reduce the efficiency of CFM and increase the production cost. To address this issue, we studied the effect of backpulsing on the performance of a semi-industrial CFM equipment featuring 2 m2 of ceramic membranes with 0.2 μm pore size. Using an optimum transmembrane pressure of 150 kPa, we found that backpulsing with a high frequency (every minute) at the beginning of microfiltration and then slowing down the frequency (every 2 min) resulted in higher (+14%) and more consistent average fluxes (100 l.h−1.m−2) while reaching volumetric concentration ratio up to 11. Additionally, the overall specific energy requirements are reduced by 12.5% to 0.0376 kWh.l-1 of treated juice, which is the lowest value among all known de-bacterizing processes, including thermal pasteurization. Importantly, our results showed that backpulsing reduces the retention of the main bioactive compounds of blackberry, including anthocyanins and ellagitannins. These findings demonstrate that CFM with backpulsing is a more cost-effective process that allows for the production of stabilized fruit juices with higher content of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Morinda citrifolia L., the “noni”, has been used in traditional Polynesian medicine for over 2000 years. Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae) is an evergreen shrub whose ripe fruit has a strong butyric acid smell and flavor. The leaves and especially the fruit are consumed in different forms by various communities (e.g., the Polynesians) throughout the world; the root is used as a dye. As a result of these uses and the market that is developing around “noni juice”, it has become increasingly important to confirm the actual therapeutic properties of this plant. While recent studies have shown that this fruit has antibiotic and antioxidant properties in vitro, we still do not have scientific evidence supporting the nutritional and medicinal values of noni in humans. However, both the fruit and damnacanthal, an anthraquinone compound extracted from noni roots, are currently being studied in the context of anti-cancer research. If, in the future, the nutritional and medical values of the noni can be assessed, especially its anti-cancer activity, this fruit could play a noticeable economic role in producing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Melon juice obtained from fruits discarded by exporters was first clarified by crossflow microfiltration and then concentrated by osmotic evaporation (OE). The resulting clarified melon juice was highly similar to the initial juice, except for insoluble solids and carotenoids, which were concentrated in the retentate. Average permeation flux was relatively high (about 80 L h−1 m−2), with continuous extraction of retentate at a volumetric reduction ratio of 3. After concentration of the clarified melon juice to as much as 550 g kg−1 of total soluble solids using a continuous feed-and-bleed procedure of OE, we found that almost the entire composition of the product was preserved. This integrated membrane process permitted two valuable products to be obtained: a clarified concentrate of melon juice that had not undergone any thermal treatment, and a glowing-orange retentate that was enriched in provitamin A. Industrial relevance: The increasing quality demand for fresh fruits results in an increase in rejected melons. Juice processing could overcome the product losses occurring but thermal sensitivity of melon juice flavour prohibits conventional thermal processing. Interestingly this paper attempts to use membrane processes for microbial stabilisation and concentration. The authors present a novel way of using permeate (clear juice) as well as retentate (pulpy juice). Enzyme activities in the products during and after processing may need some attention prior to industrial application of the process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The high acidity of passion fruit limits its addition in food preparation. In order to easy the uses of this juice to formulate high aroma and flavour products, its citric acid content must be decreased. Various methods such as calcium salts precipitation, ion-exchange resins and electrodialysis with homopolar and bipolar membranes were investigated to increase the pH of a clarified passion fruit juice from 2.9 to 4.0. Each deacidification process was compared in terms of characteristics of deacidified juices such as concentration of inorganic and organic ions, colour and flavour. The deacidification by precipitation using CaCO3 was not recommended because of CO2 release. The ion-exchange process gave a poor quality juice in terms of organoleptic characteristics. Electrodialysis with homopolar membranes induced an increase in the sodium concentration. Precipitation with Ca(OH)2 and electrodialysis with bipolar membrane were the most suitable processes in terms of sensorial properties of juices treated. The physico-chemical analyses showed an increase in the calcium concentration with the use of Ca(OH)2 that could cause some precipitation problems in the final product. Inorganic anions were eliminated together with citrate by using electrodialysis and resins. Nevertheless, electrodialysis with bipolar membranes presented great advantages: it was a continuous process without reagent addition moreover allowing the production of a valuable solution of citric acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]