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This study investigated the effects of an acute dose (900 mg) of New Zealand Blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on 5-km running performance, alongside associated physiological and metabolic responses. Sixteen trained male runners (age 26 ± 5 years, stature 173.4 ± 7.3 cm, body mass 73.7 ± 6.9 kg, maximal oxygen consumption [ V ˙ O 2 max ] 55.4 ± 6.1 ml·kg−1·min−1) ingested either capsules containing NZBC extract (3 × 300 mg CurraNZ, 315 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo (3 × 300 mg gluten-free flour) 2 hr before exercise in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Performance time, physiological, and metabolic responses were assessed in a 5-km time trial, preceded by 10-min exercise at the lactate threshold on a treadmill. NZBC extract did not alter the physiological or metabolic responses to exercise at the lactate threshold (oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, minute ventilation, carbohydrate oxidation, fat oxidation, heart rate, blood lactate, or rating of perceived exertion, p >.05). The 5-km time trial was completed in a faster time in the NZBC extract condition compared with placebo (NZBC: 1,308.96 ± 122.36 s, placebo: 1,346.33 ± 124.44, p =.001, d = −0.23, confidence interval range = [−0.46, 0.00 s]). No differences in physiological or metabolic responses were apparent between conditions for the 5-km time trial (p >.05). Ingesting 900 mg of NZBC extract as an acute dose improves performance in trained male runners without altering physiological or metabolic responses to exercise. Further research is needed to assess a wider range of possible mechanisms (e.g., cardiovascular function, metabolite profiles) to advance insight into improved performance following supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous observations demonstrate New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract to alter cardiovascular responses at rest without prior exercise. However, the prolonged effects of NZBC on blood pressure and heart rate variability following exercise are not known. Participants (n15 [five women], age: 31 ± 9 years, maximal oxygen uptake: 44 ± 9 ml·kg−1·min−1) undertook a control condition of 2 hr of lying supine rest. Subsequently, in a double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled, randomized crossover design participants completed 1 hr of treadmill exercise at 50% maximal oxygen uptake followed by 2-hr supine rest with blood pressure and heart rate variability measurement following a 7-day intake of NZBC and PLA. With NZBC, there was an increase in average fat oxidation (NZBC: 0.24 ± 0.11 vs. PLA: 0.17 ± 0.11 g/min, p =.005), and larger high-frequency relative power during the exercise (p =.037). In the 2-hr rest period, delta change for systolic pressure was larger with NZBC than PLA (Control vs. NZBC: −5.6 ± 6.4, Control vs. PLA: −3.5 ± 6.0 mmHg, p =.033) but was not different for diastolic or mean arterial pressure. There were no alterations in heart rate variabilities during the 2 hr following the exercise with NZBC. A 7-day intake of NZBC causes a larger postexercise hypotension response in young, physically active men and women following 1 hr of treadmill exercise at 50% maximal oxygen uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase gene(F3'H) is an important structural gene in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway of plants, which has been proven to be involved in the color formation of organs such as leaves, flowers, and fruits in many plants. However, the mechanism and function in barley are still unclear. Results: In order to explore the molecular mechanism of the grain color formation of purple qingke, we used the cultivated qingke variety Nierumzha (purple grain) and the selected qingke variety Kunlun 10 (white grain) to conduct transcriptomic sequencing at the early milk, late milk and soft dough stage. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct weighted gene co-expression network related to grain color formation, and three key modules (brown, yellow, and turquoise modules) related to purple grain of qingke were selected. F3'H (HORVU1Hr1G094880) was selected from the hub gene of the module for the yeast library, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), subcellular localization and other studies. It was found that in purple qingke, HvnF3'H mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and cell membrane and interacted with several stress proteins such as methyltransferase protein and zinc finger protein. Conclusions: The results of this study provide reference for the regulation mechanism of anthocyanin-related genes in purple grain qingke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purple-leafed plants not only have a higher resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, but also have higher ornamental value. Anthocyanins are vital for leaf color formation, growth and development of purple leaves. However, the molecular mechanism underlying purple leaf formation in Lagerstroemia indica remains unclear. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of purple-leafed cultivar 'Ebony Embers' and greenleafed cultivar 'Arapahoe' showed that the high expression of anthocyanin structure genes induced hyperaccumulation of cyanidin and pelargonidin derivatives, making the leaves purple. LfiHY5, LfiMYB75 and LfibHLH1 were identified using correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. In 'Arapahoe' x 'Ebony Embers' population, LfiHY5 and LfiMYB75 showed significant positive correlation with leaf anthocyanin content. Transient expression of LfiMYB75 and LfiHY5 in tobacco and purple-leafed crape myrtle indicated that the two genes activated anthocyanin synthesis. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that LfiMYB75 and LfibHLH1 could form a complex that enhanced anthocyanin synthesis. Yeast monohybrid and dual-luciferase assays confirmed that LfiHY5 activated the expression of LfiMYB75, to activate the transcription of anthocyanin structural genes LfiCHS and LfiANS. Moreover, there were three alleles of LfiHY5 in crape myrtle, and the different sequences had different activation effects on LfiMYB75. In conclusion, the results showed that LfiHY5 led to upregulate the transcription of LfiMYB75, and LfiMYB75 formed a complex with LfibHLH1, which increased the transcription level of LfiCHS and LfiANS to affect anthocyanin synthesis in crape myrtle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins (ANCs), a kind of natural pigments, are widely present in food substrates. Evidence has shown that ANCs can promote health in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammation. However, the oxidative stability of ANCs limits accurate quantitation and analysis. Therefore, faster, more accurate, and highly sensitive extraction and determination methods are necessary for understanding the role of ANCs in medicine and food. This review presents an updated overview of pretreatment and detection techniques for ANCs in various food substrates since 2015. Liquid-liquid extraction and various green solvent extraction methods, such as accelerated solvents extraction, deep eutectic solvents extraction, ionic liquids extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, are commonly used pretreatment methods for extraction and purification of ANCs. Liquid chromatography coupled with different detectors (tandem mass spectrometry and UV detectors) and spectrophotometry methods are some of the determination methods for ANC. This study has updated, compared, and discussed different pretreatment and analysis methods. Moreover, the advanced methods and development prospects in this field are comprehensively summarized, which can provide references for further utilization of ANCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulforaphane‐loaded nanoparticles (NP‐SF) were prepared in this study to improve their biological effects. Based on propylene glycol alginate and zein as wall materials and anthocyanin and CaCl2 as crosslinking agents, the NPs were encapsulated by the crosslinking method and freeze‐dried. With the increasing contents of anthocyanin and Ca2+, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of NP‐SF were both increased. In vitro simulated digestion experiments showed controlled release of SF from the NPs. The pharmacokinetics confirmed that NP‐SF exerted a slower release effect in rats, with improved SF bioavailability and protective effects on liver injury induced by N‐diethylnitrosamine in mice. NP‐SF reduced serum indicators of liver injury, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH levels, and reduced malondialdehyde levels in the liver. In addition, SF activated the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulated the expression of the Nrf2 downstream genes NQO1 and heme oxidase 1. High doses of NP‐SF, in particular, had a higher therapeutic effect. In conclusion, encapsulation enhanced the biological activity of SF and promoted physiological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anthocyanins are major phytochemicals present in the aril extracts of Southern African P. granatum 'Wonderful' cultivar. • The methanolic extract induced the strongest cytotoxicity in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. • By regulating the proteins involved in apoptotic pathway, the extract treatment of MCF-7 cells enhanced the cell death by inducing apoptosis. Due to its superior nutritional, health promoting and disease preventing qualities, the Punica granatum is referred to as a "Super Fruit" and has been traditionally used for its therapeutic properties including cancer prevention. Although this plant is grown globally, phytochemical profile and their biological properties varies based on the pedoclimatic variables, fruit's phenogenotype, stage of ripeness, pre- and post-harvest circumstances, and extractive solvent, even among the same cultivars grown under various conditions. Here, we investigated the phytochemical composition and anticancer potency of three different aril solvent extracts (methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) of South African 'Wonderful' cultivar against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. The identification of major phytochemical constituents of three different extracts was performed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS2. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content assays. The apoptotic effects were determined by morphological analysis (phase contrast and LIVE DEAD assay) and FITC-Annexin/ Propidium Iodide flow cytometry assay, Cytochrome-c release, caspase activation assay and ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS2 analysis of extracts revealed the presence phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, coumarins, gallotannins, lignan, and phthalide. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was determined to be highest for methanol extract (91.78±1.55 mg GAE/g DM and 43.03±2.63 mg QE/g DM respectively). This correlated with its highest cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells compared to other two solvent extracts with IC 50 concentration ∼289 and ∼229 μg/mL at 24 and 48 h respectively. After 48 h, the apoptotic cell population were significantly increased with 400 μg/mL methanol extract treatment as observed via morphological changes and FITC-Annexin/ Propidium Iodide assay. The methanol extract significantly induced apoptosis via the release of cytochrome-c, increase in ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 and caspase-8 and 9 activations. Based on the present findings, we conclude that South African P. granatum 'Wonderful' cultivar had the potential as cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing anticancer agent, which is worth investigating in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is considered the second world's major potato producing and consuming country after China. To determine the processing nutrient quality using standard protocols, 86 diverse potato genotypes were evaluated for different parameters under mid-hill conditions in Himachal Pradesh (Kufri-Shimla), India. Dry matter, specific gravity, TSS, protein, starch, glucose, carotenoids, Vit-C, and anthocyanin contents ranged from 16.35 ~ 28.36%, 1.06 ~ 1.113 (kg/L), 4.86 ~ 6.79 (oBrix), 0.83 ~ 3.43%, 10.59 ~ 20.72%, 10.73 ~ 25.13 (g/kg), 55.89 ~ 516.53 (mg/kg FW), 16.53 ~ 28.23 (mg/kg FW), respectively. Anthocyanin content in the flesh, skin, and whole tubers ranged from 0.07 ~ 8.34, 0 ~ 3.17, and 2.47 ~ 34.80 mg/kg FW, respectively. CP-4104, 4085(6), CP-4116, SSP. Andigina, B. 6739–2, BR 6609–7, MISO VALLEY, JUICE VALLEY, and TPS-13, which contained high dry matter (>20%), starch (>13%), specific gravity (>1.08), and total phenols in whole tubers (<30) are suitable for processing. One-way ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences for all these parameters. White, cream, and too-yellow coloured tubers producing genotypes took first place in this experiment among all-genotype tubers. Our lines namely Andigina, B 6739–2, 4085(6), and CP-4104 may be considered for processing given the quality of their potatoes produced. Based on our results, our study will conclude that several landraces available worldwide can be utilized in future breeding programs to develop new varieties that can produce processing-quality tuber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are polyphenolic pigments that have hypoglycemic, antioxidation, anti‐aging, and other effects. Research has shown that polyphenols can optimize the processing of dough and improve the texture and nutritional characteristics of dough products. The formation of gluten networks is decisive for the quality of flour products. The effects of purple cabbage anthocyanin (PCA) extract on the structure, microscopic morphology, and network formation of gluten protein were studied, and the types of cross‐linking between PCA and gluten protein are discussed. RESULTS: The results show that PCA extract increased the free sulfhydryl (SH) group content and the free amino group of gluten proteins, stimulated an increase in the β‐sheet ratio and the decrease of α‐helix ratio, and increased the gluten index significantly (P < 0.05). The PCA extract also induced gluten protein aggregation, increased the height of protein molecular chains, and stimulated the formation of gluten networks. When PCA extract concentrations were 4 g kg−1 and 8 g kg−1, the gluten network was more homogeneous, continuous, and dense. CONCLUSION: Appropriate anthocyanins have a positive effect on the properties of gluten and promote the formation of gluten networks. Excessive anthocyanins destroy gluten protein interaction and harm gluten cross‐linking. This study may provide a useful source of data for the production of functional flour products rich in anthocyanins. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Quality properties of 14 saffron samples from Iran, Spain, and Türkiye were compared. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between anthocyanins, volatile compounds, fatty acids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of saffron samples (P < 0.05). Besides, significant differences in color parameters were observed. Moreover, a total of 13 volatile compounds were identified in the saffron samples using. headspace–solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, safranal and α‐isophorone being the two predominant aroma compounds. Regarding fatty acids, significant differences were seen in the fatty acid profiles of saffron samples (P < 0.05), while linoleic acid was the most concentrated fatty acid. In terms of sensory properties, different concentrations of safranal, α‐isophorone and 4‐ketoisophorone may lead to significant differences in the odor and taste attributes of saffron samples (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Changes in corm origin along with climate and agricultural conditions may affect the quality characteristics of saffron cultivated in different geographical areas to a significant degree. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Grape peels, the main by‐products of wine processing, are rich in bioactive ingredients of phenolics, including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Phenolics have the function of regulating intestinal microbiota and promoting intestinal health. From the perspective of the dietary nutrition of grape peel phenolics (GPP), the present study aimed to investigate the influence of GPP on the composition and metabolism of human gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation. RESULTS: The results indicated that GPP could decrease pH and promote the production of short‐chain fatty acids. ACE and Chao1 indices in GPP group were lower than that of the Blank group. GPP enhanced the levels of Lachnospiraceae UCG‐004, Bacteroidetes and Roseburia, but reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Proteins and Genome enrichment pathways related to phenolic acid metabolism mainly included flavonoid, anthocyanin, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. Gut microbiota could accelerate the release and breakdown of phenolic compounds, resulting in a decrease in the content of hesperetin‐7‐O‐glucoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside etc. In vitro antibacterial test found that GPP increased the diameters of the inhibition zones of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in a dose‐dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study revealed that GPP might be a potential prebiotic‐like to prevent diseases by improving gut health. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for the potential to exploit GPP as dietary nutrition to maintain intestinal function. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to develop a green, economical and efficient ultrasonic-/microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) process for the extraction of anthocyanins. Design/methodology/approach: After optimizing the extraction conditions by response surface methodology, three assays including DPPH, ABTS·+, FRAP were applied to analyze the antioxidant activity of the extracted anthocyanins. The stability under different temperatures, reductant concentrations and pHs was also discussed. The components of anthocyanins in blueberry were analyzed by HPLC-QTOF-MS2. Findings: The optimal extraction parameters were ultrasonic power of 300 W, microwave power of 365.28 W and solid–liquid ratio of 30 (g/mL). The possible structures can be speculated as Delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, Delphinidin, Petunidin, Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, Petunidin-3-O-glucoside, Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The results demonstrated that the UMAE can improve the yield of anthocyanins in shorter extraction time with higher activity. Originality/value: The present study may provide a promising and feasible route for extracting anthocyanins from blueberries and studying their physicochemical properties, ultimately promoting the utilization of blueberry anthocyanins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change threatens current crops, necessitating the development of stress-tolerant alternatives. De novo domestication of already tolerant plants is a promising solution, but the wild progenitors may become weeds that are challenging to identify in the field. Genome editing could add signature traits to de novo domesticated crops to make them recognizable by remote sensing. Genes associated with the biosynthesis of anthocyanin and carotenoid and with leaf and seed morphology are potential editing targets for improving automated recognition of weeds in agriculture. Most high-yielding crops are susceptible to abiotic and biotic stresses, making them particularly vulnerable to the potential effects of climate change. A possible alternative is to accelerate the domestication of wild plants that are already tolerant to harsh conditions and to increase their yields by methods such as gene editing. We foresee that crops' wild progenitors could potentially compete with the resulting de novo domesticated plants, reducing yields. To improve the recognition of weeds, we propose using gene editing techniques to introduce traits into de novo domesticated crops that will allow for visual recognition of the crops by weeding robots that have been trained by machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anthocyanins show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. • The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. • Dietary anthocyanins linearly and negatively correlate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Several studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins are associated with many chronic diseases, but few studies have focused on the relationship between anthocyanins and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This survey aimed to explore the relationship between dietary anthocyanin intake and COPD in US adults over the age of 40. A cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 was conducted. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) to analyze the relationship between dietary anthocyanins and COPD. Subgroup and interaction analyses were adopted to assess whether there were differences in the relationship between dietary anthocyanin intake and COPD in different groups. A total of 2862 participants aged ≥ 40 years were analyzed, of whom 213 were diagnosed with COPD. The highest tertile of dietary anthocyanin intake was negatively correlated with COPD compared to the lowest after adjusting potential confounders (Model 1, OR = 0.414; 95% CI: (0.245, 0.699), P -trend = 0.002; Model 2, OR = 0.363; 95% CI: (0.210, 0.627), P -trend = 0.002; Model 3, OR = 0.614; 95% CI: (0.383, 0.985), P -trend = 0.040). The RCS curve showed a significant inverse linear relationship between dietary anthocyanin intake and COPD (P non-linear = 0.734). In subgroup analyses, the negative correlation between dietary anthocyanin intake and COPD existed across different subgroups. Our study indicated that higher dietary anthocyanins are a protective factor against the presence of COPD in the US aged over 40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are a class of natural water-soluble pigments found in plants, which are responsible for the varied colours of vegetative tissues and reproductive organs. The regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis requires multiple factors, including enzymes, structural or regulatory genes, and transcriptional regulator proteins. While there has been notable advancement in comprehending anthocyanin biosynthesis, encompassing its structures and overarching regulation, there remains a gap in our understanding concerning the intricate interactions among various genes, molecular and biochemical mechanisms, and their feedback responses to anthocyanin regulatory networks. This article aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the complex regulatory networks involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway, with a specific focus on anthocyanin biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth regulators are an appealing and fast-track method for overcoming the drastic effects of drought. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a member of the triazole family, is a versatile chemical compound that acts as a growth regulator and retardant. This study assessed the effect of two concentrations of PBZ (30 and 60 mg L–1) on strawberry plants under two drought stress levels [40% and 80% field capacity (FC)] and 100% FC set as the control. The findings revealed that drought significantly affected strawberry plants, elevating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxide ion (OH–), and superoxide ion (O2–), and reactive carbonyl species (RCS) like malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MG), 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-hexenal (HEE), acetone, propionaldehyde (PD), acetaldehyde (ACD), and formaldehyde (FMD), due to decreased antioxidant activities. The study also found that glutathione (GSH) is crucial in ROS and RCS scavenging. In addition, the presence of thiol groups (–SH compounds) in strawberry plants under moderate and severe drought stress was a noteworthy finding. Due to excess thiol production, drought stress significantly decreased MDA, MG, HEE, PD, ACD, FMD, and acetone levels. However, PBZ application decreased the total thiol content in strawberry leaves. Furthermore, PBZ improved plant growth and development by modulating the production of endogenous growth hormones such as abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, ethylene, gibberellic acid, strigolactones, and brassinosteroids, while increasing cytokinin levels. These changes led to enhanced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, reduced stomatal conductance, increased relative water content in leaves, improved chlorophyll content, elevated photosynthetic rate, and ultimately enhanced increased fruit yield. Moreover, drought stress enhanced metabolic activity (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, total phenolic content, anthocyanin, and proline) in strawberry plants, indicating that metabolites also function as stress scavengers/protectors. This study shed light on crucial physiological mechanisms underlying ROS- and RCS-induced oxidative stresses and their management in strawberry plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Supplying monochromatic blue LED light during the day, but not at night, promotes early coloration and improves anthocyanin accumulation in the skin of grape berries. Specific light spectra, such as blue light, are known to promote the biosynthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in fruit skins. However, research is scarce on whether supplement of blue light during different periods of one day can differ in their effect. Here, we compared the consequences of supplying blue light during the day and night on the accumulation of anthocyanins in pigmented grapevine (Vitis vinifera) berries. Two treatments of supplemented monochromatic blue light were tested, with light emitting diodes (LED) disposed close to the fruit zone, irradiating between 8:00 and 18:00 (Dayblue) or between 20:00 and 6:00 (Nightblue). Under the Dayblue treatment, berry coloration was accelerated and total anthocyanins in berry skins increased faster than the control (CK) and also when compared to the Nightblue condition. In fact, total anthocyanin content was similar between CK and Nightblue. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that Dayblue slightly improved the relative expression of the anthocyanin-structural gene UFGT and its regulator MYBA1. Instead, the expression of the light-reception and -signaling related genes CRY, HY5, HYH, and COP1 rapidly increased under Dayblue. This study provides insights into the effect of supplementing monochromatic LED blue light during the different periods of one day, on anthocyanins accumulation in the berry skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the influence of various storage conditions on Thompson seedless (Vitis vinifera) grapes quality. Research method: Grapes were stored under four conditions: control (room temperature i.e., 20-22°C, no SO2), T1 with SO2 sheets at room temperature i.e., 20-22°C, T2 with SO2 sheets in cold storage at 1°C and T3 without SO2 sheets in cold storage at 1°C. Changes in acidity, total soluble solids (TSS), total anthocyanin content, total phenols, sugars (glucose and fructose), transresveratrol, decay %, weight loss % and antioxidant activity were monitored over 60 days. Findings: The findings revealed a synergistic effect between SO2 and cold storage. Grapes stored with both SO2 sheets and cold storage (T1) exhibited the slowest decline in anthocyanin, phenols and antioxidant activity of 211.06 mg/L, 2102.39 mg/L and 7.19 mM DPPH, respectively after 60 days. T1 grapes found to have slower reduction in sugars and transresveratrol concentration i.e., 15.47 to 15.37 g/100mL and 695 to 516 µg/g, respectively compared to control samples 15.47 to 14.81 g/100mL and 695 to 500 µg/g, respectively. Research limitations: The study focused solely on storage conditions of Thompson seedless variety grapes, limiting the generalizability of the findings to different grape varieties and maturity levels. Originality/value: These results highlighted the importance of proper storage techniques, particularly the combined use of SO2 and cold storage, for maintaining grape quality and extending shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphagneticola trilobata, originally from the tropical regions of the Americas, has successfully invaded the subtropical regions of southern China and displays a tendency to spread towards colder northern regions. The accumulation of anthocyanins in stems under low temperature conditions exhibits strong cold tolerance, and therefore may be one mechanism supporting the northward spread of the species. However, the role and synthesis mechanism of anthocyanins in the stems of S. trilobata when confronted with low temperature stress are still unclear. Field experiments have shown that compared to in summer, the stems of S. trilobata significantly accumulated anthocyanins to cope with winter. Further short-term low-temperature treatments (0 °C) were conducted on red and green stems of S. trilobata, and the results showed that the red stems exhibited lower levels of reactive oxygen species, membrane damage, and chlorophyll fluorescence changes compared to the green stems. In an indoor low-temperature control experiment, it was observed that S. trilobata exhibited significant accumulation of callus in the periderm of its stems compared to S. calendulacea, which subsequently resulted in increased levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose contents. Furthermore, there was a significantly induced higher levels of abscisic acid and cytokinin in S. trilobata stems under low temperatures. Under the joint regulation of these carbohydrates and hormones, the key structural genes associated with anthocyanins synthesis pathway in S. trilobata stems were more strongly induced compared to S. calendulacea. The upregulation of CHS, CHI, F3H, and DFR gene expression levels in S. trilobata was higher than that of native species, which directly leads to the accumulation of more anthocyanins in the epidermis of the stem of S. trilobata, thereby reducing the degree of oxidative stress and maintaining normal growth under low temperature. In summary, anthocyanins play an important light filtering role in the response of S. trilobatas stem to low temperature stress, which is one of the important mechanisms for its successful invasion into southern China. In the context of global climate change, we need to increase our vigilance against further invasion of S. trilobata into colder inland regions such as temperate regions. This research holds significant theoretical and practical implications for the prevention and control of S. trilobata invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Synchronous degradation between anthocyanin and vitamin C was found in fruit and vegetable juice matrices. To investigate whether the C‐ring of anthocyanin is the key site of this interaction, cyanidin with four different C‐ring modifications (3‐glucosylation, 3,5‐diglucosylation, 6″‐malonylation, pyranylation) was added to vitamin C‐containing apple juice, and the changes of anthocyanin retention, vitamin C retention, color, antioxidative activity and differential metabolites were analyzed.The anthocyanin retention was in the order of pyranylation >6″‐malonylation >3,5‐diglucosylation >3‐glucosylation. The vitamin C retention was in the order of 6″‐malonylation > pyranylation >3,5‐diglucosylation >3‐glucosylation. The order of color stability was the same as that of anthocyanin retention, and the order of antioxidative activity was opposite to that of vitamin C retention. The results showed that modification at the C‐ring limited the activity of anthocyanin, and suggested that the C‐ring was one of the key sites for anthocyanin and vitamin C interaction. The shared differential metabolite of all apple juice matrices added with different anthocyanins was trans‐hinokiresinol, which was likely generated from anthocyanin skeleton reacted with certain compounds in apple juice.This study showed that modification of the anthocyanin C‐ring could affect the anthocyanin and vitamin C interaction to some extent, which provided valuable insights for the application of anthocyanin C‐ring modification in shelf‐life quality control of typical fruit and vegetable beverages with the coexistence of anthocyanin and vitamin C. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Selenium (Se) plays a vital role in various physiological processes in plants and is regarded as an essential micronutrient for human health as well. Methods: In this study, sodium selenite solution at 10, 40, 70, and 100 mg·L-1 concentrations was foliar sprayed, and the strawberry plant growth, antioxidant system, and fruit quality with an emphasis on sugar and acid content were assessed. Results: The results showed that 10 mg·L-1 of sodium selenite treatment promoted plant growth, while all the treated concentrations could enhance photosynthesis, the antioxidant system in leaves, the content of Se, and ascorbic acid in fruits. More importantly, 40 mg·L-1 sodium selenite treatment significantly increased fruit weight, total soluble solid, total phenolic content, and anthocyanins, as well as improved the shape index. Furthermore, it decreased the total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin content. Particularly, sodium selenite treatment at 40 and 70 mg·L-1 largely increased the ratio of soluble sugars to titratable acid. The changes of predominant sugars and organic acids during fruit development were further investigated. The sucrose, fructose, and glucose content was upregulated by sodium selenite treatment through upregulating the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and acid invertase, as well as the FaSPS expression. In addition, sodium selenite treatment inhibited the activity of citrate synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, rather than modulating their transcript levels to reduce the citric acid content. Conclusions: This work presented a potentially efficient approach to enhance plant growth and fruit quality and supplement Se in strawberry, providing insights into the mechanism of regulating sugar and acid metabolism by Se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raspberry ketone accounts for the characteristic aroma of the raspberry fruit. In order to explore the genes involved in raspberry ketone synthesis, the transcriptome in fruit tissues of two red raspberry varieties "Polka" and "Orange legend", were sequenced and 24213 single genes were obtained. As the red raspberry fruit ripening, genes involved in flavonoid and anthocyanin synthesis were up-regulated, while those associated with lignin synthesis were down-regulated. A gene (RinPKS4) highly related to raspberry ketone synthesis was identified by transcriptome analysis, and RinPKS4 gene was over-expressed in raspberry in order to further understand the function of RinPKS4 gene in raspberry ketone synthesis. The results showed that the gene expression level of RinPKS4 in the leaf tissues of a transgenic lines increased by about 4-fold and the content of raspberry ketone increased by 42.64% compared with the wide type. This study lays a theoretical foundation for further study on the synthesis and regulation of raspberry ketone in red raspberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Anthocyanins are susceptible to degradation due to external factors. Despite the potential for improved anthocyanin stability with whey protein isolate (WPI), the specific effects of individual components within WPI on the stability of anthocyanins have yet to be studied extensively. This study investigated the interaction of WPI, β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lactoferrin (LF) with cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (C3G), and also considered their effects on stability.Fluorescence analysis revealed static quenching effects between C3G and WPI, β‐Lg, BSA, and LF. The binding constants were 1.923 × 103 L · mol⁻¹ for WPI, 24.55 × 103 L · mol⁻¹ for β‐Lg, 57.25 × 103 L · mol⁻¹ for BSA, and 1.280 × 103 L · mol⁻¹ for LF. Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic attraction were the predominant forces in the interactions between C3G and WPI and between C3G and BSA. Hydrophobic interaction was the main binding force in the interaction between C3G and β‐Lg and between C3G and LF. The binding of C3G with WPI, β‐Lg, BSA, and LF was driven by different thermodynamic parameters. Enthalpy changes (∆H) were −38.76 kJ · mol⁻¹ for WPI, −17.59 kJ · mol⁻¹ for β‐Lg, −16.09 kJ · mol⁻¹ for BSA, and 39.50 kJ · mol⁻¹ for LF. Entropy changes (∆S) were −67.21 J · mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for WPI, 3.72 J · mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for β‐Lg, 37.09 J · mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for BSA, and 192.04 J · mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for LF. The addition of C3G influenced the secondary structure of the proteins. The decrease in the α‐helix content suggested a disruption and loosening of the hydrogen bond network structure. The presence of proteins enhanced the light stability and thermal stability (stability in the presence of light and heat) of C3G. In vitro simulated digestion experiments demonstrated that the addition of proteins led to a delayed degradation of C3G and to improved antioxidant capacity.The presence of WPI and its components enhanced the thermal stability, light stability, and oxidation stability of C3G. Preheated proteins exhibited a more pronounced effect than unheated proteins. These findings highlight the potential of preheating protein at appropriate temperatures to preserve C3G stability and bioactivity during food processing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims. The variation of malolactic fermentation (MLF) behavior between Oenococcus oeni and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is crucial for wine quality. This work aimed to evaluate the fermentation kinetics of preacclimatized indigenous O. oeni (strains of SD‐2a and 144‐46) and Lp. plantarum (strains of XJ25 and XJA2), and their effect on color, polyphenols, volatile components, and sensory characteristics of wine. Methods and Results. The changes of polyphenols, color, volatile components, and sensory properties of a low‐pH Merlot wine (pH < 3.3) after MLF with indigenous O. oeni and Lp. plantarum strains were investigated and compared. O. oeni gave wine more floral and balsamic aromas and increased the proportion of co‐pigmented anthocyanins. Only strain 144‐46 of O. oeni could complete fermentation during 6‐day MLF (final concentration of L‐malic acid <0.1 g/L). However, both Lp. plantarum strains effectively and thoroughly metabolized L‐malic acid within 3 days for XJA2 and 5 days for XJ25 while maintaining a substantial population of viable cells. Lp. plantarum significantly enhanced the proportion of polymerized anthocyanins and the fruity, caramel, fatty, roasted, and herbaceous notes in wine through the modification of volatile profiles. Conclusions. Lp. plantarum after preacclimation shows more robust MLF performance compared to O. oeni. O. oeni prefers to give wine more floral and balsamic aromas, and a high proportion of co‐pigmented anthocyanins. Lp. plantarum prefers to give wine more herbal and chemical aromas and a high proportion of polymerized anthocyanins. Significance of the Study. Lp. plantarum after preacclimation exhibits more favorable effects on wine compared to O. oeni., suggesting its potential for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In current work, we studied hairy root induction in Trigonella foenum graecum, which is an important medicinal plant, and examined the impact of different elicitors on some phytochemical characteristics and metabolites production in hairy root cultures. Accordingly, some factors such as five strain types of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (1724, 15834, A4, A13 and MSU) and three different explants, namely leaf, cotyledon and hypocotyl were studied. The results showed that different A. rhizogenes strains exhibited different infection efficiency. MSU and 15834 had highest efficiency of hairy root induction than other strains. Also, hairy root induction frequency in leaf explants was higher than in other explants. Salicylic acid (SA), nitric oxide (NO), CaCl2 and penconazole (PEN) were used in elicitation process. Hairy roots were treated with SA (0.1 and 0.5 mM), NO (10 and 50 µM), CaCl2 (5 and 10 mM) and PEN (5 and 10 mg/L). Applied elicitors enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced oxidative stress markers; this observation might be ascribed to regulation of the oxidative status of the elicited cells. Significant increase of antioxidant metabolites (total phenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin) in PEN-treated hairy roots was associated to phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, indicating an up-regulation of phenylpropanoid/flavonoid metabolism. PEN and CaCl2 treatment enhanced steroidal sapogenin in hairy root cultures. These results suggested that use of elicitors can enhance the production of secondary metabolites in transformed hairy roots. Among the elicitors applied, CaCl2 and PEN were the most effective in increasing secondary metabolite production in transformed hairy roots of T. foenum graecum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A retrotransposon HORT1 in the promoter of the anthocyanin activator gene PeMYB11, microRNA858 (miR858) that targets PeMYB11, and a repressor PeMYBx have been implicated in pigmentation patterning diversity of harlequin Phalaenopsis orchids. However, the interrelationship among them remains to be elucidated. Results: To understand how these factors interact to generate anthocyanin spots in Phalaenopsis, we successfully developed a mathematical model based on the known reaction–diffusion system to simulate their interplay and refined the conceptual biological model. Intriguingly, the expression of both PeMYBx and PeMYB11 were in phase for purple spot formation, even though they showed adverse effects on anthocyanin accumulations. An increase in the self-activation rate of PeMYB11 resulted in the increased size of purple spots, but no effects on spot fusion. Decreased degradation rate of miR858 in the purple regions, led to disruption of the formation of spotted pigmentation patterning and a full-red pigmentation pattern. Significantly, the reduced miR858 level promotes the fusion of large dark purple dots induced by the solo-LTR of HORT1, eventually generating the purple patches. In addition, the spatially heterogeneous insertion of HORT1 caused by the remnant solo-LTR of HORT1 derived from random homologous unequal recombination of HORT1 in individual cells of floral organs could explain the diverse pigmentation patterning of harlequin Phalaenopsis. Conclusions: This devised model explains how HORT1 and miR858 regulate the formation of the pigmentation patterning and holds great promise for developing efficient and innovative approaches to breeding harlequin Phalaenopsis orchids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis have been well documented at the transcriptional and translational levels. By contrast, how anthocyanin biosynthesis is epigenetically regulated remains largely unknown.In this study, we employed genetic, molecular biology, and chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays to identify a regulatory module essential for repressing the expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis through chromatin remodeling.We found that SILENCING DEFECTIVE 2 (SDE2), which was previously identified as a negative regulator for sucrose‐induced anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis, is cleaved into N‐terminal SDE2‐UBL and C‐terminal SDE2‐C fragments at the first diglycine motif, and the cleaved SDE2‐C, which can fully complement the sde2 mutant, is localized in the nucleus and physically interacts with LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) in vitro and in vivo. Genetic analyses showed that both SDE2 and LHP1 act as negative factors for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Consistently, immunoblot analysis revealed that the level of LHP1‐bound histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) significantly decreases in sde2 and lhp1 mutants, compared to wild‐type (WT). In addition, we found that sugar can induce expression of SDE2 and LHP1, and enhance the level of the nucleus‐localized SDE2‐C.Taken together, our data suggest that the SDE2‐C‐LHP1 module is required for repression of gene expression through H3K27me3 modification during sugar‐induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. See also the Commentary on this article by LaFountain, 243: 1287–1289. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoids in plants, which give plants bright colors and are widely used as food coloring agents, nutrients, and cosmetic additives. There are several limitations for traditional techniques of collecting anthocyanins from plant tissues, including species, origin, season, and technology. The benefits of using engineering microbial production of natural products include ease of use, controllability, and high efficiency. Results: In this study, ten genes encoding enzymes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway were successfully cloned from anthocyanin-rich plant materials blueberry fruit and purple round eggplant rind. The Yeast Fab Assembly technology was utilized to construct the transcriptional units of these genes under different promoters. The transcriptional units of PAL and C4H, 4CL and CHS were fused and inserted into Chr. XVI and IV of yeast strain JDY52 respectively using homologous recombination to gain Strain A. The fragments containing the transcriptional units of CHI and F3H, F3'H and DFR were inserted into Chr. III and XVI to gain Strain B1. Strain B2 has the transcriptional units of ANS and 3GT in Chr. IV. Several anthocyanidins, including cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin, were detected by LC-MS/MS following the predicted outcomes of the de novo biosynthesis of anthocyanins in S. cerevisiae using a multi-strain co-culture technique. Conclusions: We propose a novel concept for advancing the heterologous de novo anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, as well as fundamental information and a theoretical framework for the ensuing optimization of the microbial synthesis of anthocyanins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-based dressings deriving from natural biomaterials have advantages such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and mechanical stability, which are essential for efficient wound healing and microbial infection diagnostics. Here, we designed a prototype of an intelligent hydrogel dressing on the base of bacterial cellulose (BC) for monitoring wound microbial infection due to the uploaded natural pH dye-sensor, anthocyanins (ANC) of elderberry fruit (Sambucus nigra L.). The highest sensor responses to bacterial metabolites for ANC immobilized to BC were observed at pH 5.0 and 6.0. The detection limit of the sensor signals was 3.45 A.U., as it was evaluated with a smartphone-installed application. The FTIR spectral analysis of the hybrid BC/ANC hydrogel films has proved the presence of anthocyanins within the BC matrix. Hybrid films differed from the control ones by thicker microfibrils and larger pores, as detected with scanning electron microscopy. Halochromic BC/ANC films exhibited antimicrobial activities mainly against gram-positive bacteria and yeast. They showed no cytotoxicity for the in vitro human cell lines and mouse fibroblasts within a selected range of anthocyanin concentrations released from the BC/ANC film/dressing prototype. Compared to the control, the in vitro healing test showed overgrowth of primary mouse fibroblasts after applying 0.024–2.4 µg/mL ANC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch-based pH-sensing films with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and red cabbage anthocyanins (RCA) as active components were investigated in this research. Their structural, physical, surface and colorimetric properties were analyzed, mainly as a function of BNC concentration. The aim of the research was to relate the changes in the intermolecular interactions between the components of the films (starch, anthocyanins and BNC) to the physical, surface and colorimetric properties that are important for the primary intended application of the produced films as pH indicators in smart packaging. The results showed that maize starch (MS) was more suitable as a matrix for the stabilization of anthocyanins compared to potato starch (PS). PS-based films showed a lower value of water contact angle than MS-based films, indicating stronger hydrophilicity. The swelling behavior results indicate that the concentrations of BNC in MS-based films (cca 10%) and the concentration of about 50% BNC in PS-based films are required if satisfactory properties of the indicator in terms of stability in a wet environment are to be achieved. The surface free energy results of PS-based films with BNC were between 62 and 68 mJ/m2 and with BNC and RCA between 64 and 68 mJ/m2; for MS-based films, the value was about 65 mJ/m2 for all samples with BNC and about 68 mJ/m2 for all samples with BNC and RCA. The visual color changes after immersion in different buffer solutions (pH 2.0–10.5) showed a gradual transition from red/pink to purple, blue and green for the observed samples. Films immersed in different buffers showed lower values of 2 to 10 lightness points (CIE L*) for PS-based films and 10 to 30 lightness points for MS-based films after the addition of BNC. The results of this research can make an important contribution to defining the influence of intermolecular interactions and structural changes on the physical, surface and colorimetric properties of bio-based pH indicators used in smart packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrapping bioactive ingredients like elderberry extract in hydrogels improves their stability and functionality in food matrices. This study assessed the effect of sequential thermal treatment with ultrasound (US) or high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and treatment duration on pea protein–psyllium hydrogels as elderberry extract carriers. Measurements included color parameters, extract entrapment efficiency, physical stability, textural properties, microrheology, FT-IR, thermal degradation (TGA), SEM images, total polyphenols content, antioxidant activity, and reducing power. The control hydrogel was obtained using only thermal induction. Both treatments impacted physical stability by affecting biopolymer aggregate structures. Thermal and US combined induction resulted in hydrogels with noticeable color changes and reduced entrapment efficiency. Conversely, thermal and HHP-combined induction, especially with extended secondary treatment (10 min), enhanced hydrogel strength, uniformity, and extract entrapment efficiency (EE = 33% for P10). FT-IR and TGA indicated no chemical structural alterations post-treatment. Sequential thermal and HHP induction preserved polyphenol content, antioxidant activity (ABTS = 5.8 mg TE/g d.m.; DPPH = 11.1 mg TE/g d.m.), and reducing power (RP = 1.08 mg TE/g d.m.) due to the dense hydrogel structure effectively enclosing the elderberry extract. Sequential thermal and HHP induction was more effective in developing pea protein–psyllium hydrogels for elderberry extract entrapment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids play an important role in forming wine grapes and wine quality characteristics. The flavonoids of three winter red wine grapes, Yeniang No. 2 (YN2), Marselan (Mar), and Guipu No. 6 (GP6), were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS). Furthermore, the flavonoids in GP6 grapevines using two types of training systems, namely, trellis (T) and espaliers (E), were also compared in this study. Overall, 196 flavonoid metabolites, including 96 flavones, 38 flavonols, 19 flavanones, 18 polyphenols, 15 anthocyanins, 7 isoflavones, and 3 proanthocyanidins, were identified. The flavonoid profiles were remarkably different among these three grape varieties, while they did not change much in the GP6 managed on trellis and espaliers. Grape varieties with different genetic backgrounds have their own unique flavonoid profiles. Compared with Mar-T, isoflavones and flavonols presented higher contents in GP6-T and YN2-T, which mainly contain glycitein, genistin, calycosin, kaempferide, isotrifoliin, and ayanin. The anthocyanin content was significantly higher in YN2-T than in the other two varieties. YN2 and GP6-T present a more stable color, with significantly more acetylated diglucosides and methylated anthocyanins in YN2-T and GP6-T than in Mar-T. Notably, GP6 had more varied flavonoids and the better characteristics to its flavonoid profile out of these three varieties, due to it containing a higher number of anthocyanins, flavone, and flavonols and the greatest number of different flavonoid metabolites (DFMs), with higher contents than YN2 and Mar. Compared with the trellis training system, the espaliers training system increased the content of flavonoids detected in GP6 grape berries; however, the composition of flavonoids strictly depends on the grape variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural pigments extracted from plant species are used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study evaluates the comprehensive biological activities of anthocyanins isolated from Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) and Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth), focusing on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and hemolytic properties. Chemical characterization revealed significant anthocyanin content with complex mass spectrometric profiles indicating diverse glycosylation patterns that may influence their bioactivity. The antimicrobial assays showed that the extracts were particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1 mg/mL for Rubus glaucus, indicating strong potential for therapeutic use. The antioxidant capacity of the berries was substantial, albeit slightly lower than that of ascorbic acid. The extracts also exhibited notable antitumoral activity in various cancer cell lines, showing promise as adjunctive or preventive treatments. The anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed by inhibiting nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, highlighting their potential in managing inflammatory diseases. In terms of hemolytic activity, Rubus glaucus exhibited dose-dependent effects, potentially attributable to anthocyanins and phenolics, while Vaccinium floribundum demonstrated no significant hemolytic activity, underscoring its safety. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from Andean berries possess potent biological activities, which could be leveraged for health benefits in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are needed to isolate specific bioactive compounds and investigate their synergistic effects in clinical and real-world contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing of functional foods is a promising strategy to reduce the increasing burden of colorectal cancer worldwide. Fruit pomace, particularly polyphenol and anthocyanin-rich chokeberry and blueberry, is a valuable ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals. Our study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of chokeberry and blueberry pomace extracts on C2BBe1 colorectal carcinoma cells and explore the underlying signaling pathways. We analyzed both pomace extracts for total polyphenols and anthocyanins using Folin-Ciocalteu method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidative activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. We evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects using trypan blue exclusion, MTT and LDH assays, and assessed protein levels of p-Erk1/2, Akt-1, STAT1, STAT3, occludin, oxidized proteins, and MDA-protein adducts through western blotting, as well as analysis of a 37-plex panel of inflammatory markers. Chokeberry extracts exhibited higher total polyphenol content, anthocyanin levels, and antioxidative activity compared to blueberry extracts, however, blueberry extracts effects on cell viability and proliferation in C2BBe1 cells were stronger. Both fruit pomaces induced non-inflammatory cell death characterized by membrane integrity loss, beneficial in cancer therapy. Our data suggests chokeberry's cytotoxicity may be mediated by Erk signaling and Akt-1 inhibition, while blueberry uniquely decreased occludin levels. These berries pomaces' potential to mitigate cancer risks and enhance treatment efficacy is promising, warranting further investigation for functional foods development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of citrus fruits are strongly associated with their secondary metabolites. In this study, we conducted widely targeted metabolomics analyses to compare the variability of the ingredients in four scion–rootstock combinations. A total of 376 differential metabolites were obtained by a multivariate statistical analysis, and a KEGG pathway analysis showed that the enriched metabolic pathways were mainly related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids as well as lipid metabolism. The anthocyanin-targeted metabolomic features showed that cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-(6-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucoside), cyanidin 3-O-sophoroside, and cyanidin 3-O-xyloside were the pigments responsible for the red color of Tarocco. A lipid metabolomics analysis revealed that when Tarocco was hetero-grafted with rootstock H, there was an increase in the content of each lipid subclass, accompanied by an increase in the levels of unsaturated fatty acids, including polyunsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids, thus impacting the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids. Additionally, we determined their antioxidant capacity ('Trifoliate orange' (Z) > 'Citrange' (ZC) > 'Hongju' (H) > 'Ziyang Xiangcheng' (X)) using in vitro assays. Finally, we utilized a network pharmacology analysis to explore the antioxidant mechanisms and potential pharmacological ingredients; we obtained 26 core targets proteins and 42 core metabolites associated with oxidative damage, providing a basis for future preventive and therapeutic applications of these metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of different microwave drying conditions on the texture and nutritional quality of candied strawberries in a vacuum environment. This study investigated the effects of three different vacuum microwave treatment conditions (2.5 w/g-1.5 h, 3.5 w/g-1 h, 4.5 w/g-0.5 h) on moisture migration characteristics, texture, microstructure, color, anthocyanins, and phenolics of candied strawberries, which were evaluated by hot air drying. The results showed that the time required for vacuum microwave drying to dry candied strawberries to 20%±2% moisture content was significantly lower than that of hot air, and the higher the microwave power, the shorter the drying time. In addition, the water in the candied strawberries obtained after drying mainly appeared in two states, namely, bound water and water not easy to flow. The relaxation time T2 of strawberry candied strawberries obtained by vacuum microwave drying increased with the increase of microwave power, which indicated that the degree of freedom of water increased. Cross-sectional microscopic observation found that vacuum microwave drying caused cell wall rupture, and the higher the microwave power, the closer the site of fissure formation to the medullary core, and the bigger the fissure, and the smaller the porosity, whereas the cellular integrity and the porosity of the samples dried by the hot air were higher than that of microwave drying. In addition, the hardness, viscosity, and a* value of vacuum microwave-dried dried strawberry preserves were lower than those of hot air-dried samples, but the L* value, total sugar, anthocyanin, and phenolic content were higher. In conclusion, vacuum microwave drying had higher drying efficiency and could better retain the nutrients such as anthocyanins in candied strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, ice cream functionalized with guabijú (Myrcianthes pungens) and Lactobacillus paracasei was developed and characterized, using 4%, 8%, and 12% of guabijú powder. The ice creams had bioactive characteristics, evidenced by anthocyanins (7.41 to 11.41 mg 100 g−1), phenolic compounds (215 to 317 mg GAE 100 g−1), and antioxidant capacity (EC50 1829 to 472 g g−1 DPPH) (p < 0.05). Moreover, ice creams had the characteristic color of guabijú, suitable overrun, L. paracasei viability and sensory acceptance – guabijú powder up to 8% presented an acceptance index > 80%, and purchase intention in the degree “would certainly buy.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses significant challenges to the grapevine cultivation for wine production. In the last years, the occurrence of extreme weather events such as intense heat waves and prolonged period of drought increased sunburn damage with negative consequences to yield and berry composition. Short-term adaptation strategies are urgently needed to mitigate these effects. In this light, our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zeolite application on the canopy and irrigation during ripening on sunburn damage, yield, and berry composition in cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.). Over 3 years (2021-2023), canopy management and irrigation treatments were arranged in a strip-plot design. Canopy management treatments included leaf removal on the cluster zone, with and without zeolite application, and no defoliated control; irrigation treatments comprised irrigation from berry softening and no irrigation. Both zeolite application and irrigation reduced sunburn damage, thus mitigating yield loss. Regarding berry composition, zeolite application did not alter the main parameters whereas irrigation led to reductions in sugar and anthocyanin concentrations. These findings suggest that zeolite application and irrigation during ripening represent promising and cost-effective solutions for grape growers facing climate changeinduced challenges. However, further studies are necessary to optimize timing of irrigation to avoid detrimental effects on anthocyanin accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Pineapple is the third most crucial tropical fruit worldwide and available in five varieties. Genomes of different pineapple varieties have been released to date; however, none of them are complete, with all exhibiting substantial gaps and representing only two of the five pineapple varieties. This significantly hinders the advancement of pineapple breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of three varieties: a wild pineapple variety, a fiber pineapple variety, and a globally cultivated edible pineapple variety. We constructed the first gap‐free reference genome (Ref) for pineapple. By consolidating multiple sources of evidence and manually revising each gene structure annotation, we identified 26,656 protein‐coding genes. The BUSCO evaluation indicated a completeness of 99.2%, demonstrating the high quality of the gene structure annotations in this genome. Utilizing these resources, we identified 7,209 structural variations across the three varieties. Approximately 30.8% of pineapple genes were located within ±5 kb of structural variations, including 30 genes associated with anthocyanin synthesis. Further analysis and functional experiments demonstrated that the high expression of AcMYB528 aligns with the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, both of which may be affected by a 1.9‐kb insertion fragment. In addition, we developed the Ananas Genome Database, which offers data browsing, retrieval, analysis, and download functions. The construction of this database addresses the lack of pineapple genome resource databases. In summary, we acquired a seamless pineapple reference genome with high‐quality gene structure annotations, providing a solid foundation for pineapple genomics and a valuable reference for pineapple breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Blackberries have garnered attention recently due to their high concentration of bioactive components like anthocyanin and their health advantages. Therefore, this study aims to determine the bioactive profile, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of blackberry extracts (BBEs). Then, evaluate the protective effect of BBEs (20%, 30% and 40%) in a rat model of 2 mL of 4–8 × 106 Escherichia coli ATTC 25922 strain colony‐forming unit mL−1 oral infection on the seventh day of the experiment.Rats were divided into six groups: G1: control (C−: normal or negative group), G2: (C+: infected or positive group), G3: infected‐treated group by 20% BBE, G4: infected‐treated group by 30% BBE, G5: infected‐treated group by 40% of BBE and G6: infected‐treated group by Gentamicin. The results showed that BBE had a high content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents, and different vitamins (vitamins A, E and C), reaching 450, 186, 58.83 mg 100 g−1, 2.68, 2.14 and 107.46 mg 100g−1 fresh weight, respectively, which showed great antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Therefore, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profiles were significantly higher in the infected group than in the control or infected‐treated groups. Furthermore, BBE ameliorated inflammation of the intestine and hepatocyte damage compared to the infected control group.These results suggest that consistent intake of BBE might alleviate hepatic inflammation and the gut microbiota in ways that could significantly impact human health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach varieties that differ in red coloration due to varied anthocyanin accumulation result from transcriptional regulation by PpMYB10s, a group of specific R2R3 MYBs. Here we investigated the mechanisms driving a lack of anthocyanin in yellow‐skinned ‘Jinxiu’ peach peel, as well as accumulation induced by UV irradiance. It was found that PpMYB10.1, PpMYB10.2 and PpMYB10.3 were positive regulators of anthocyanin accumulation, but the stimulation by PpMYB10.2 was weak. Low expression of PpMYB10.1 causes natural anthocyanin deficiency in ‘Jinxiu’ peel. However, the promoter sequences of PpMYB10.1 were identical in ‘Jinxiu’ and a naturally red‐coloured peach ‘Hujingmilu’. Therefore, potential negative regulator(s) upstream of PpMYB10.1 were explored. A novel R2R3‐MYB repressor termed PpMYB80 was identified through comparative transcriptomic analysis and then functionally confirmed via transiently overexpressing and silencing in peach fruit, as well as transformation in tobacco. PpMYB80 directly binds to the promoter of PpMYB10.1 and inhibits its expression, but does not affect PpMYB10.3. In UV‐exposed ‘Jinxiu’ fruit, expression of PpMYB10.3 was upregulated, while PpMYB10.1 remained low and PpMYB80 enhanced, which results in accumulation of anthocyanin in peel. This study revealed a transcriptional cascade involving PpMYB activators and repressors in regulating basal and UV‐induced anthocyanin accumulation in peach peel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence on the potential beneficial effects of anthocyanin-rich foods and supplements on cognitive performance is mainly based on acute or long-term studies in older adults. However, short-term studies focusing on a younger population are lacking. Therefore, short-term effects of Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) supplementation on cognitive performance were investigated in healthy young adults. Potential underlying mechanisms were also addressed. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed involving 35 apparently healthy young adults. Participants consumed AME (180 mg anthocyanins/day) or a placebo for 1 week, separated by at least 2 weeks of wash-out. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Furthermore, arterial stiffness (carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity), retinal microvascular calibers (fundus photography), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations were measured at baseline and after 1 week. Results: Participants had a mean age of 25 ± 4 years and an average BMI of 23.4 ± 2.7 kg/m2. Compliance was excellent and the study product was well-tolerated. As compared to placebo, movement time was significantly reduced by 4.8% within the five-choice reaction time test after 1 week of AME supplementation (intervention effect: – 12 ms; p < 0.05). Memory and executive function did however not change. Serum BDNF concentrations were significantly higher after AME supplementation as compared to placebo (+ 5.7%; intervention effect: 1.8 ng/mL; p < 0.05). However, arterial stiffness and retinal microvascular calibers were not affected. Conclusion: Short-term AME supplementation beneficially affected cognitive performance as attention and psychomotor speed improved. Serum BDNF concentrations were increased, but vascular function markers were not affected. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered on Clinical Trials under NCT03793777 on January 4th, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Methyl jasmonate (MJ) mitigated salt stress effects on purple basil. • MJ increased chlorophyll, anthocyanin, sugars, and phenolics in purple basil. • MJ increased the growth and post-harvest quality of purple basil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of methyl jasmonate (MJ) in mitigating the negative effects of salt stress on purple basil. For this, plants were grown in an entirely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (salinity × MJ treatments), and seven replicates. Salinity levels corresponded to non-stress (irrigation water without NaCl addition), mild stress (40 mM NaCl), and severe stress (80 mM NaCl), and MJ treatments corresponded to control (0 µM – water) or 1 mM solutions, applied as leaf sprays. The growth, physiology, and post-harvest attributes of purple basil were determined. Salt stress impaired growth, photosynthetic capacity, chlorophyll content, and relative water content, while it increased electrolyte leakage (P ≤ 0.05). However, the application of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) mitigated the effects of salt stress on growth and gas exchange in purple basil. MJ also increased chlorophyll and relative water content while decreasing electrolyte leakage. Mild and severe salt stress differentially impacted chlorophyll fluorescence, while methyl jasmonate (MJ) partially mitigated these effects. Salt stress also reduced the contents of anthocyanins, sugars, and phenolic compounds, whereas MJ increased their levels under both non-stressed and salt-stressed conditions. In conclusion, MJ alleviated the effects of mild and severe salt stress and enhanced the post-harvest quality of purple basil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that affects patients' vision. Previous studies have found blueberry anthocyanins extract (BAE) can inhibit the progression of DR, but its mechanism is not completely clear. Methods: To study the role of BAE in diabetes retinopathy, we treated human retinal endothelial cells (HRCECs) with 30 mM high glucose to simulate the microenvironment of diabetes retinopathy and used BAE to intervene the in vitro high glucose-induced retinopathy model. HRCEC cell viability and apoptosis rates were examined by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry assay. The binding sites between miR-33 and glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) were assessed by luciferase reporter assay. Retinal neovascularization and oxidative stress contribute to diabetic retinopathy. The tubule formation assay was applied to detect the retinal neovascularization. The oxidative stress in the HRCECs was manifested by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Results: Compared with HRCECs cells cultured under normal conditions, high glucose (HG) can induce oxidative stress in HRCRCs, specifically manifested in the increase of ROS and MDA levels, and the decrease of SOD activity. BAE relieved the tubule formation in n the HRCEC. BAE also relieved the ROS and MDA levels and increased the SOD activity. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that GLCCI1 is a target molecule downstream of miR-33. In HRCEC, BAE significantly inhibited the expression of miR-33 induced by HG. miR-33 mimic inhibited the BAE's effects on oxidative stress and angiogenesis in an in vitro high glucose-induced retinopathy model. Conclusion: BAE alleviated the oxidative stress and microangiogenesis of HRCEC by regulating the miR-33 /GLCCI1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine if 7d of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract alters the heat shock, inflammatory and apoptotic response during prolonged exertional-heat stress. Methods: Ten men (Age: 29 ± 2 years, Stature: 1.82 ± 0.02 m, Mass: 80.3 ± 2.7 kg, V̇O2max: 56 ± 2 mL·kg−1·min−1) ingested two capsules of CurraNZ™ (NZBC extract: 210 mg anthocyanins·day−1) or PLACEBO for 7d prior to 1 h treadmill run (65% V̇O2max) in hot ambient conditions (34 °C/40% RH). Blood samples were collected before (Pre), immediately after (Post), 1 h after (1-Post), and 4 h after (4-Post) exercise. Heat shock proteins (HSP90, HSP70, HSP32) were measured in plasma. HSP and protein markers of inflammatory capacity (TLR4, NF-κB) and apoptosis (BAX/BCL-2, Caspase 9) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results: eHSP32 was elevated at baseline in NZBC(+ 31%; p < 0.001). In PLACEBO HSP32 content in PBMC was elevated at 4-Post(+ 98%; p = 0.002), whereas in NZBC it fell at Post(− 45%; p = 0.030) and 1-Post(− 48%; p = 0.026). eHSP70 was increased at Post in PLACEBO(+ 55.6%, p = 0.001) and NZBC (+ 50.7%, p = 0.010). eHSP90 was increased at Post(+ 77.9%, p < 0.001) and 1-Post(+ 73.2%, p < 0.001) in PLACEBO, with similar increases being shown in NZBC (+ 49.0%, p = 0.006 and + 66.2%, p = 0.001; respectively). TLR4 and NF-κB were both elevated in NZBC at PRE(+ 54%, p = 0.003 and + 57%, p = 0.004; respectively). Main effects of study condition were also shown for BAX/BCL-2(p = 0.025) and Caspase 9 (p = 0.043); both were higher in NZBC. Conclusion: 7d of NZBC extract supplementation increased eHSP32 and PBMC HSP32 content. It also increased inflammatory and apoptotic markers in PBMC, suggesting that NZBC supports the putative inflammatory response that accompanies exertional-heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting by-products from the oenological industry to extract antioxidant chemicals is a shared goal that combines the need to reduce the wine sector's environmental impact with the need to improve the availability of these biomolecules, according to a circular economy approach. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) have recently captured researchers' interest as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional solvents due to their effectiveness, low toxicity, and stability. In this work, we set out to investigate several NaDES for the extraction of phenolic chemicals from local monovarietal grape pomace resulting from different vinification procedures (including both red and rosé vinification of Negroamaro and Primitivo grapes; rosé vinification of Susumaniello grapes and white vinification of Chardonnay, Fiano and Malvasia bianca grapes), with the additional goal of generalizing the use of NaDES to extract chemicals of interest from organisms selected from the wide plant biodiversity. Three binary choline chloride-based NaDES (DES-Lac, DES-Tar, and DES-Gly, with lactic acid, tartaric acid, and glycerol as hydrogen bond donors, respectively) were compared to ethanol as a conventional solvent, and the extracts were evaluated using HPLC/MS and colorimetric techniques. The results revealed that each NaDES produces a substantially higher total phenolic yield than ethanol (up to 127.8 mg/g DW from Primitivo rosé grape pomace). DES-Lac and DES-Tar were more effective for anthocyanins extraction; the most abundant compound was malvidin 3-O-glucoside (highest extraction yield with DES-Lac from Susumaniello pomace: 29.4 mg/g DW). Regarding phenolic compounds, DES-Gly was the most effective NaDES producing results comparable to ethanol. Unexpectedly, Chardonnay pomace has the greatest content of astilbin. In most cases, grape pomace extracts obtained by rosé and white vinification provided the maximum yield. As a result, NaDES have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional organic solvent extraction techniques, allowing for higher (or equal) yields while significantly lowering costs, hazards, and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population. An accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles causes degeneration of neurons, leading to neuronal cell death. The anthocyanin-rich fraction of black rice (Oryza sativa L. variety "Luem Pua") bran (AFBRB), extracted using a solution of ethanol and water and fractionated using Amberlite XAD7HP column chromatography, contains a high anthocyanin content (585 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and 24 mg of peonidin-3-O-glucoside per gram of the rich extract), which has been found to reduce neurodegeneration. This study focused on the neuroprotective effects of AFBRB in Aβ25–35-induced toxicity in the human neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH). SK-N-SH was exposed to Aβ25–35 (10 µM) to induce an AD cell model in vitro. Pretreatment with AFBRB (0.1, 1, or 10 µg/mL) or C3G (20 µM) was conducted for 2 h prior to the treatment with Aβ25–35 (10 µM) for an additional 24 h. The results indicate that AFBRB can protect against the cytotoxic effect of Aβ25–35 through attenuation of intracellular ROS production, downregulation of the expression of the proteins Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3, upregulation of the expression of Bcl-2 in the mitochondrial death pathway, and reduction in the expression of the three major markers of ER stress pathways in similar ways. Interestingly, we found that pretreatment with AFBRB significantly alleviated Aβ-induced oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells. This suggests that AFBRB might be a potential therapeutic agent in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic climate changes pose a significant challenge for plants to cope with numerous abiotic and biotic stressors of increasing intensity. Plants have evolved a variety of biochemical and molecular defense mechanisms involved in overcoming stressful conditions. Under environmental stress, plants generate elevated amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, subsequently, modulate the activity of the antioxidative enzymes. In addition, an increase in the biosynthesis of important plant compounds such as anthocyanins, lignin, isoflavonoids, as well as a wide range of low molecular weight stress-related proteins (e.g., dehydrins, cyclotides, heat shock proteins and pathogenesis-related proteins), was evidenced. The induced expression of these proteins improves the survival rate of plants under unfavorable environmental stimuli and enhances their adaptation to sequentially interacting stressors. Importantly, the plant defense proteins may also have potential for use in medical applications and agriculture (e.g., biopesticides). Therefore, it is important to gain a more thorough understanding of the complex biological functions of the plant defense proteins. It will help to devise new cultivation strategies, including the development of genotypes characterized by better adaptations to adverse environmental conditions. The review presents the latest research findings on selected plant defense proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]