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This work presents a hydrothermal method followed by a sonochemical treatment for synthesizing tantalum decorated on iron selenide (Ta/FeSe 2 ) integrated with nitrogen-doped graphene (NGR) as a susceptible electrode material for detecting trolox (TRX) in berries samples. The surface morphology, structural characterizations, and electrochemical performances of the synthesized Ta/FeSe 2 /NGR composite were analyzed via spectrophotometric and voltammetry techniques. The GCE modified with Ta/FeSe 2 /NGR demonstrated an impressive linear range of 0.1 to 580.3 μM for TRX detection. Additionally, it achieved a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) of 0.059 μM, and it shows a high sensitivity of 2.266 μA μМ -1  cm -2 . Here, we used density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the structures of TRX and TRX quinone and the locations of energy levels and electron transfer sites. The developed sensor exhibits significant selectivity, satisfactory cyclic and storage stability, and notable reproducibility. Moreover, the practicality of TRX was assessed in different types of berries, yielding satisfactory recoveries., 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 © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Berries are a rich source of natural antioxidant compounds, which are essential to profile, as they add to their nutritional value. However, the complexity of the matrix and the structural diversity of these compounds pose challenges in extraction and chromatographic separation. By relying on multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) ability to extract components from complex spectral mixtures, our study evaluates the contributions of various extraction techniques to interference, extractability, and quantifying different groups of overlapping compounds using liquid chromatography diode array detection (LC-DAD) data. Additionally, the combination of these methods extends its applicability to evaluate polyphenol degradation in stored berry smoothies, where evolving factor analysis (EFA) is also used to elucidate degradation products. Results indicate that among the extraction techniques, ultrasonication-assisted extraction employing 1% formic acid in methanol demonstrated superior extractability and selectivity for the different phenolic compound groups, compared with both pressurized liquid extraction and centrifugation of the fresh berry smoothie. Employing MCR-ALS on the LC-DAD data enabled reliable estimation of total amounts of compound classes with high spectral overlaps. Degradation studies revealed significant temperature-dependent effects on anthocyanins, with at least 50% degradation after 7 months of storage at room temperature, while refrigeration and freezing maintained fair stability for at least 12 months. The EFA model estimated phenolic derivatives as the main possible degradation products. These findings enhance the reliability of quantifying polyphenolic compounds and understanding their stability during the storage of berry products., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a serious threat to human health and incidence is increasing gradually. Nutrition has an important impact on the prophylaxis and progression of CVD. In this article, general attention is drawn to the possible positive effects of berries on CVD. Polyphenols have beneficial effects on the vascular system by inhibiting low-density lipoprotein oxidation and platelet aggregation, lowering blood pressure, improving endothelial dysfunction, and attenuating antioxidant defense and inflammatory responses. This review provides an overview of the effects of berries for the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Berries contain several cardioprotective antioxidants, vitamins, and numerous phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, that have antioxidant properties and antiplatelet activity. Phytochemical compounds in their structures can modulate dissimilar signaling pathways related to cell survival, differentiation, and growth. Important health benefits of berries include their antioxidant roles and anti-inflammatory impacts on vascular function. The effectiveness and potential of polyphenols primarily depend on the amount of bioavailability and intake. Although circulating berry metabolites can improve vascular function, their biological activities, mechanisms of action, and in vivo interactions are still unknown. Analyzing human studies or experimental studies to evaluate the bioactivity of metabolites individually and together is essential to understanding the mechanisms by which these metabolites affect vascular function., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Berries are highly regarded as flavorful and healthy fruits that may prevent or delay some chronic diseases attributed to oxidative stress and inflammation. Berries are low in calories and harbor diverse bioactive phytochemicals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, and vitamins. This review delves into the main characteristics of fresh berries and berry products as foods and the technologies associated with their production. The main effects of processing operations and related variables on bioactive components and antioxidants are described. This review critically discusses why some health claims based on in vitro antioxidant data and clinical studies and intervention trials are difficult to assess. The review suggests that the beneficial health effects of berries are derived from a multifactorial combination of complex mixtures of abundant phenolic components, antioxidants, and their metabolites acting synergistically or additively with other nutrients like fibers and vitamins and possibly by modulating the gut microbiota.

This study investigates the chemical composition, nutritional, and biological properties of extracts obtained from A. melanocarpa berries using different extraction methods and solvents. Hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction with CO 2 allowed us to isolate fruit essential oil (HD EX ) and fixed oil (SFE EX ), respectively. A phenol-enriched extract was obtained using a mild ultrasound-assisted maceration with methanol (UAM M ). The HD EX most abundant component, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was italicene epoxide (17.2%), followed by hexadecanoic acid (12.4%), khusinol (10.5%), limonene (9.7%), dodecanoic acid (9.7%), and (E)-anethole (6.1%). Linoleic (348.9 mg/g of extract, 70.5%), oleic (88.9 mg/g, 17.9%), and palmitic (40.8 mg/g, 8.2%) acids, followed by α-linolenic and stearic acids, were the main fatty acids in SFE EX determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD/ELSD). HPLC-DAD analyses of SFE EX identified β-carotene as the main carotenoid (1.7 mg/g), while HPLC with fluorescence detection (FLU) evidenced α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/g) as the most abundant tocopherol isoform in SFE EX . Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS (LC-ESI-MS) analysis of UAM M showed the presence of quercetin-sulfate (15.6%, major component), malvidin 3- O -(6- O -p-coumaroyl) glucoside-4-vinylphenol adduct (pigment B) (9.3%), di-caffeoyl coumaroyl spermidine (7.6%), methyl-epigallocatechin (5.68%), and phloretin (4.1%), while flavonoids (70.5%) and phenolic acids (23.9%) emerged as the most abundant polyphenol classes. UAM M exerted a complete inhibition of the cholesterol oxidative degradation at 140 °C from 75 μg of extract, showing 50% protection at 30.6 μg (IA 50 ). Furthermore, UAM M significantly reduced viability (31-48%) in A375 melanoma cells in the range of 500-2000 μg/mL after 96 h of incubation (MTT assay), with a low toxic effect in normal HaCaT keratinocytes. The results of this research extend the knowledge of the nutritional and biological properties of A. melanocarpa berries, providing useful information on specific extracts for potential food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Therefore, there is increasing interest in dietary interventions to reduce risk factors associated with these conditions. Cherries and berries are rich sources of bioactive compounds and have attracted attention for their potential cardiovascular benefits. This review summarises the current research on the effects of cherry and berry consumption on cardiovascular health, including in vivo studies and clinical trials. These red fruits are rich in phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which have multiple bioactive properties. These properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects. Studies suggest that regular consumption of these fruits may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and enhanced endothelial function. However, interpreting findings and establishing optimal dosages is a challenge due to the variability in fruit composition, processing methods, and study design. Despite these limitations, the evidence highlights the potential of cherries and berries as components of preventive strategies against CVD. Further research is needed to maximise their health benefits and improve clinical practice.

Context: Anticariogenic properties have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in numerous fruits. Berries, in particular, have been reported as potentially having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and subsequently on caries, but the evidence is unclear., Objective: The objective of this review was to explore the literature and summarize the evidence for berries having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and an anticariogenic effect., Data Sources: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were scanned using predefined and accessible terms, with a search strategy based on a structured PICO question., Data Extraction: After article selection, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of them being in vitro studies. A risk assessment was performed, and data were extracted and presented in a table for qualitative analysis., Data Analysis: Meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by Review manager 5.4., Results: Only 3 types of berries were found to have a reported anticaries effect: grape seed extract (GSE), cranberry, and sour cherry. Nine studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were subjected to quantitative analysis. Meta-analyses showed GSE was associated with enhanced remineralization of dental enamel (SMD = .96 95% CI [.45, 1.46], P < .0002) and of dentin (SMD = .65 95% CI [.13, 1.17], P = .01). Cranberry extracts positively influenced the cariogenic dental biofilm by decreasing the biofilm biomass (SMD = -2.23 95% CI [-4.40, -.05], P = .04), and biovolume (SMD = -2.86 95% CI [-4.34, -1.37], P = .0002), and increasing the biofilm pH (SMD = 7.9 95% CI [3.49, 12.31], P < .0004)., Conclusion: Within the limitations of this systematic review and metaanalysis, GSE and cranberries or their active compounds could represent an alternative for caries management. Further clinical trials are needed to verify this effect in a clinical setting., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020223579., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Consumption of nuts and berries are considered part of a healthy eating pattern. Nuts and berries contain a complex nutrient profile consisting of essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and phenolics in quantities that improve physiological outcomes. The spectrum of health outcomes that may be impacted by the consumptions of nuts and berries includes cardiovascular, gut microbiome, and cognitive, among others. Recently, new insights regarding the bioactive compounds found in both nuts and berries have reinforced their role for use in precision nutrition efforts. However, challenges exist that can affect the generalizability of outcomes from clinical studies, including inconsistency in study designs, homogeneity of test populations, variability in test products and control foods, and assessing realistic portion sizes. Future research centered on precision nutrition and multi-omics technologies will yield new insights. These and other topics such as funding streams and perceived risk-of-bias were explored at an international nutrition conference focused on the role of nuts and berries in clinical nutrition. Successes, challenges, and future directions with these foods are presented here., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The increased activity of PARP enzymes is associated with a deficiency of NAD + , as well as with a loss of NADPH and ATP, and consequent deterioration of the redox state in fruits. In this study, we checked whether treatment with nicotinamide (NAM) would affect PARP-1 expression and NAD + metabolism in strawberry fruit during storage. For this purpose, strawberry fruits were treated with 10 mM NAM and co-treated with NAM and UV-C, and then stored for 5 days at 4 °C. Research showed that nicotinamide contributes to reducing oxidative stress level by reducing PARP-1 mRNA gene expression and the protein level resulting in higher NAD + availability, as well as improving energy metabolism and NADPH levels in fruits, regardless of whether they are exposed to UV-C. The above effects cause fruits treated with nicotinamide to be characterised by higher anti-radical activity, and a lower level of reactive oxygen species in the tissue., 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.)

Berry fruits have attracted increasing more attention of the food processing industry as well as consumers due to their widely acclaimed advantages as highly effective anti-oxidant properties which may provide protection against some cancers as well as aging. However, the conventional extraction methods are inefficient and wasteful of solvent utilization. This paper presents a critical overview of some novel extraction methods applicable to berries, including pressurized-liquid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction as well as some combined extraction methods. When combined with conventional methods, the new technologies can be more efficient and environmentally friendly. Additionally, high quality processing of the functional extracts from berry fruits, such as refined processing technology, is introduced in this review. Finally, progress of applications of berry functional extracts in the food industry is described in detail; this should encourage further scientific research and industrial utilization.

Background & Aims: We have previously shown that regular consumption of high-protein dairy- and energy-enriched berry-based products consumed as snacks improved nutritional status, functional status, and quality of life among vulnerable older people. These products contain protein, sugar and other components which may have acute effects on glycemic control. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of these snack products on postprandial glycemic responses in older adults., Methods: In a randomized, single-blinded crossover design, 25 subjects aged 71.4 ± 4.6 years consumed either a high-protein dairy drink or one of the two energy-enriched berry purées, as well as corresponding reference products, as mid-morning snacks, each containing 25 g of available carbohydrates. Baseline and postprandial blood samples for measurements of glucose, insulin, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were collected at regular intervals up to 3 h., Results: In comparison with a protein-free reference, consumption of the dairy product resulted in a remarkably high insulin response, a fall in glucose concentration and suppression of late postprandial NEFA rebound. In comparison with a low-berry reference, both berry products led to significantly lower glucose, insulin and NEFA responses., Conclusions: The high-protein dairy product which induces short-term hyperinsulinemia, accompanied with reduced glycemia, may help to improve muscle protein and energy metabolism. The energy-enriched berry products maintain balanced postprandial glycemia. These are beneficial effects in older adults who may suffer from impaired muscle performance or glycemic control., Gov Identifier: NCT04175353., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

There is uncertainty about the identity of digestive metabolites of anthocyanins because many are naturally present in foods and/or are formed from other phenolic compounds during the digestive process. Studies using pure anthocyanins are needed to clarify this uncertainty. In this study, selected anthocyanins were purified from common fruits and individually subjected to gastric and small intestinal digestion in vitro to determine their stability, metabolites generated and bioaccessibility. Anthocyanins were highly stable during the gastric phase of simulated digestion (p > 0.05). The recovery of anthocyanins decreased during the small intestinal phase of digestion (p < 0.05). Stability was dependent on anthocyanidin structure and type of glycation (p < 0.05). Gastric and gastrointestinal phases mainly contained anthocyanins as bioaccessible flavylium cations and chalcones. Expected anthocyanin metabolites (i.e., phenolic acids and phoroglucinaldehyde) were not detected in chyme. Deglycation of anthocyanins during simulated digestion was quite limited and the bioaccessibility of intact anthocyanins was very low (0.07-2.21%)., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The increase in life expectancy poses health challenges, such as increasing the impairment of cognitive functions. Berries show a neuroprotective effect thanks to flavonoids, able to reduce neuroinflammatory and to increase neuronal connections. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the impact of berries supplementation on cognitive function in healthy adults and the elderly. Twelve studies were included for a total of 399 participants, aged 18-81 years (mean age: 41.8 ± 4.7 years). Six studies involved young adults (23.9 ± 3.7 years), and four studies involved the elderly (60.6 ± 6.4 years). Most studies investigated effects of a single berry product, but one used a mixture of 4 berries. Non-significant differences were detected across cognition domains and methodologies, but significant and positive effects were found for all cognitive domains (attention and concentration, executive functioning, memory, motor skills and construction, and processing speed), and in most cases they were present in more than one study and detected using different methodologies. Although some limitations should be taken into account to explain these results, the positive findings across studies and methodologies elicit further studies on this topic, to endorse the consumption of berries in healthy populations to prevent cognitive decline.

High-fat diets are associated with neuronal and memory dysfunction. Berries may be useful in improving age-related memory deficits in humans, as well as in mice receiving high-fat diets. Emerging research has also demonstrated that brain health and cognitive function may be related to the dynamic changes in the gut microbiota. In this study, the impact of Nordic berries on the brain and the gut microbiota was investigated in middle-aged C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed high-fat diets (60%E fat) supplemented with freeze-dried powder (6% dwb) of bilberry, lingonberry, cloudberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, and sea buckthorn for 4 months. The results suggest that supplementation with bilberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, lingonberry, and (to some extent) cloudberry has beneficial effects on spatial cognition, as seen by the enhanced performance following the T-maze alternation test, as well as a greater proportion of DCX-expressing cells with prolongation in hippocampus. Furthermore, the proportion of the mucosa-associated symbiotic bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila increased by 4-14 times in the cecal microbiota of mice fed diets supplemented with lingonberry, bilberry, sea buckthorn, and blueberry. These findings demonstrate the potential of Nordic berries to preserve memory and cognitive function, and to induce alterations of the gut microbiota composition.

Consumption of dried berries is increasing worldwide due to their health benefits. This popularity has introduced berry-based supplements as an easier way to take in berry nutrients. The chemical composition of six dried berries (blueberry, cranberry, goji berry, golden berry, maqui berry, and raspberry) were compared to their berry-based supplements by metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Thirty-three metabolites were identified and 23 were quantified. Chemometric analysis of berries revealed that goji berry showed the highest content of amino and organic acids, while cranberry and golden berry showed a high carbohydrate content. Fatty acids were predominant in blueberry, golden berry, maqui berry, and raspberry. Additionally, an exploratory analysis of phenolic compounds in berry extracts were conducted. phenolic compounds in berry extracts could be correlated with their antioxidant activity. Additionally, derived supplements did not show similarities with their respective berry, suggesting the minimal addition of dried berry in their formulation. Thus, non-declared additives have highlighted the importance of food safety investigation., 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 © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Berries are acknowledged as a rich source of major dietary antioxidants and the fact that berry phenolics exhibit antioxidant property is widely accepted. Berries are abundant in Vitamin C and polyphenols such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Polyphenols are found to have several therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Increasing studies are focusing on natural products and their components for alternative therapeutics against viral infections. In particular, berries such as elderberry, blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry have proven to be effective against viral infections. Of note, the decoction of Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) has been shown to treat viral epidemic diseases. Owing to the rich source of various antiviral constituents, berries could be an alternative source for managing viral infections. In this review, we provide insights into how berry derived components inhibit viral infection and their clinical usefulness in viral disease management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they do not have conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of global death. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a strong predictor for most CVD making it a therapeutic target for both drug and nutrition interventions. It has been previously shown that polyphenols from wine and grape extracts possess vasodilator activities, due to the increased expression and phosphorylation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and consequent vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) production. This is vital in the prevention of ED, as NO production contributes to the maintenance of endothelial homeostasis. Moreover, polyphenols have the ability to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause oxidative stress, as well as suppress the upregulation of inflammatory markers within the endothelium. However, while the majority of the research has focused on red wine, this has overshadowed the potential of other nutritional components for targeting ED, such as the use of berries. Berries are high in anthocyanin flavonoids a subtype of polyphenols with studies suggesting improved vascular function as a result of inducing NO production and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This review focuses on the protective effects of berries within the vasculature., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Berries represent one of the most important and high-valued group of modern-day health-beneficial "superfoods" whose dietary consumption has been recognized to be beneficial for human health for a long time. In addition to being delicious, berries are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and several bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and hydrolysable tannins. However, due to their high value, berries and berry-based products are often subject to fraudulent adulteration, commonly for economical gain, but also unintentionally due to misidentification of species. Deliberate adulteration often comprises the substitution of high-value berries with lower value counterparts and mislabeling of product contents. As adulteration is deceptive toward customers and presents a risk for public health, food authentication through different methods is applied as a countermeasure. Although many authentication methods have been developed in terms of fast, sensitive, reliable, and low-cost analysis and have been applied in the authentication of a myriad of food products and species, their application on berries and berry-based products is still limited. The present review provides an overview of the development and application of analytical chemistry methods, such as isotope ratio analysis, liquid and gas chromatography, spectroscopy, as well as DNA-based methods and electronic sensors, for the authentication of berries and berry-based food products. We provide an overview of the earlier use and recent advances of these methods, as well as discuss the advances and drawbacks related to their application., (© 2021 The Authors. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Institute of Food Technologists.)

To investigate the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. in fresh produce sold in Italy, 324 locally produced 'ready-to-eat' (RTE) mixed-salad packages belonging to three brands and 324 berries packages (blueberries and blackberries imported from Peru and Mexico, respectively, and raspberries grown in Italy) were purchased at retail. Nine individual packages from each of the six types of fresh produce were collected monthly for one year, and with the same produce pooled, this resulted in a total of 72 pools for the whole year. Using microscopy (FLOTAC), a Cyclospora-like oocyst was detected in a blueberry sample and a taeniid egg was detected in a RTE-salad sample. Molecular tools confirmed these to be C. cayetanensis and Echinococcus multilocularis, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was not detected in any of the samples. This study shows for the first time in Europe that imported berries on the Italian market may be contaminated with C. cayetanensis and RTE salads grown in Italy with E. multilocularis. The results indicate a new epidemiological scenario and highlight that current management of fresh produce, locally produced or imported, does not ensure products are free from parasite contamination., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Functional plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and berries) can improve health, have a preventive effect, and diminish the risk of different chronic diseases during in vivo and in vitro studies. Berries contain many phytochemicals, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. The primary phytochemicals in berry fruits are phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. Since berries have a high concentration of polyphenols, it is possible to use them for treating various diseases pharmacologically by acting on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are often the leading causes of diabetes, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review examines commonly consumed berries: blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, black raspberries, and strawberries and their polyphenols as potential medicinal foods (due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds) in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and other diseases. Moreover, much attention is paid to the bioavailability of active berry components. Hence, this comprehensive review shows that berries and their bioactive compounds possess medicinal properties and have therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, future clinical trials are required to study and improve the bioavailability of berries' phenolic compounds and extend the evidence that the active compounds of berries can be used as medicinal foods against various diseases.

Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is a common diagnosis with a higher prevalence in women compared to men. Despite the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease and no structural heart disease, INOCA is associated with major adverse cardiovascular outcomes as well a significant contributor to angina and related disability. A major feature of INOCA is coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), which can be detected by non-invasive imaging and invasive coronary physiology assessments in humans. CMD is associated with epicardial endothelial-dependent and -independent dysfunction, diffuse atherosclerosis, and left-ventricular hypertrophy, all of which lead to insufficient blood flow to the myocardium. Inflammatory and oxidative stress signaling, upregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and adrenergic receptor signaling are major drivers of CMD. Treatment of CMD centers around addressing cardiovascular risk factors; however, there are limited treatment options for those who do not respond to traditional anti-anginal therapies. In this review, we highlight the ability of berry-derived polyphenols to modulate those pathways. The evidence supports the need for future clinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of berries and their polyphenols in the treatment of CMD in INOCA patients.

Rugged analytical methods for the screening and identity confirmation of anthocyanins require a dedicated sample preparation, chromatographic setup, and the reliable generation of multiple identification points to confirm identity against the wide range of phenolic compounds typically present in food, beverage, and plant material samples. To this end, combinations of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric detection are frequently employed for this application to provide higher confidence in the absence of authentic standards. In the present work, low-field drift tube ion mobility (DTIM) separation is evaluated for this task using a LC-DAD-DTIM-QTOFMS method. DTIM-MS allows accurate determination of collision cross sections ( DT CCS) for all analysed compounds as well as a precise alignment tool for reconciling fragment and precursor ions in data independent acquisition mode. The presented approach thereby allows for an anthocyanin screening method taking true advantage of all dimensions of the analytical platform: relative retention (RPLC), UV/VIS absorption spectrum, accurate mass, DT CCS N2 , and confirmed high-resolution fragment ions. From the analysis of authentic standards and several berry samples primarily from the Vaccinium genus, Level 1 confirmation data for six anthocyanins from the cyanidin family, and Level 2 confirmation for a further 29 anthocyanins confirmed in berry samples is provided. The method and accompanying dataset provided as part of this work provides a means to develop anthocyanin screening methods using the ion mobility dimension as an additional alignment and filtering parameter in data independent analysis acquisition across any LC-IM-MS platform., (© 2020 The Authors. Electrophoresis published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Nowadays berries are globally recognized to be among the healthiest foods because they contain diverse and abundant bioactive compounds. Among these are phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are known to have beneficial health effects. South America, particularly southern Chile, is covered by a diversity of insufficiently studied and underexploited native berry species. In this review we summarize all the available literature on the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of five native South American berries: calafate, maqui, murta, arrayán, and chequén. The potential of these native berries for promoting human health and as source of bioactive substances is remarkable. Bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, and in less abundance flavonoids and phenolic acids, show strong antioxidant effects. Some of these constituents are bioaccessible and bioavailable, and exert anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities as well as inhibitory effects against enzymes involved in metabolic syndromes. Given the potential of native South American berries to promote health, more work is still needed to understand fully the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of these berries on human health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, pathogenesis, and manifestation is differentially influenced by biological sex. Berry polyphenols target several signaling pathways pertinent to CVD development, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac and vascular remodeling, and there are innate differences in these pathways that also vary by sex. There is limited research systematically investigating sex differences in berry polyphenol effects on these pathways, but there are fundamental findings at this time that suggest a sex-specific effect. This review will detail mechanisms within these pathological pathways, how they differ by sex, and how they may be individually targeted by berry polyphenols in a sex-specific manner. Because of the substantial polyphenolic profile of berries, berry consumption represents a promising interventional tool in the treatment and prevention of CVD in both sexes, but the mechanisms in which they function within each sex may vary.

Virus detection in food requires appropriate elution and concentration techniques which need to be adapted for different food matrices. ISO/TS-15216-1:2017 and ISO/TS-15216-2:2019 describe standard methods for hepatitis A virus (HAV) research in some food only. Milk-based products containing one or more types of fruit are not covered by ISO procedures, even though they can be contaminated by fruit added to these products or by the food handlers. The aim of this work was to identify an efficient method for the detection of HAV in milk-based products. Four methods were tested to recover HAV from artificially contaminated milk, yoghurt and ice cream containing soft fruits. Results showed that the efficiency of the tested methods depends on the analyzed matrix. In milk we obtained a mean recovery from 13.4% to 1.9%; method based on high speed centrifuge gave the best values. The average recovery in yoghurt was between 3.3% and 114.4%, the latter value achieved by method with beef extract at 3% as eluent. Finally, two methods gave the best results in ice cream with similar recoveries: 29.1% and 27.7% respectively. The first method used glycine as eluent while the other one was based on high speed centrifugation. The ISO method has never proved to be the most efficient in the matrices studied. Therefore, based on the results obtained, a complete rethinking of the ISO method may be necessary to improve its recovery for some products such as milk, while only small changes would be sufficient for other products, such as yoghurt and ice cream., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest regarding the study., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The cultivar BRS Xingu was launched by EMBRAPA in 2015 with the intention of presenting higher productivity. Due to the lack of studies on this cultivar, the objective was to present the physical-chemical, centesimal, and phenolic composition of the BRS Xingu blackberry, its antioxidant capacity, protection against ROS generation, and compare it with other commercialized cultivars such as Guarani, Tupy, and Xavante. The BRS Xingu was prominent regarding anthocyanin and condensed tannin content and superior to the other cultivars. Moreover, BRS Xingu presented higher antioxidant capacity, protection of C. elegans from ROS generation, and soluble solid content when compared to Tupy, which is the most cultivated variety in the world. In the new cultivar, five anthocyanins, five phenolic acids, and ten non-anthocyanin flavonoids were identified. BRS Xingu is presented as an alternative blackberry with potential for industrialization and in natura consumption., 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 © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Berries are considered "promising functional fruits" due to their distinct and ubiquitous therapeutic contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavanols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, hydroxycinnamic, ellagic acid derivatives, and organic acids. These polyphenols are part of berries and the human diet, and evidence suggests that their intake is associated with a reduced risk or the reversal of metabolic pathophysiologies related to diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypertension. This work reviewed and summarized both clinical and non-clinical findings that the consumption of berries, berry extracts, purified compounds, juices, jams, jellies, and other berry byproducts aided in the prevention and or otherwise management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related complications. The integration of berries and berries-derived byproducts into high-carbohydrate (HCD) and high-fat (HFD) diets, also reversed/reduced the HCD/HFD-induced alterations in glucose metabolism-related pathways, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid oxidation in healthy/obese/diabetic subjects. The berry polyphenols also modulate the intestinal microflora ecology by opposing the diabetic and obesity rendered symbolic reduction of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-restoring bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and organic acid producing microflora. All studies proposed a number of potential mechanisms of action of respective berry bioactive compounds, although further mechanistic and molecular studies are warranted. The metabolic profiling of each berry is also included to provide up-to-date information regarding the potential anti-oxidative/antidiabetic constituents of each berry.

Nitraria tangutorum B. (NT), Hippophae rhamnoides L. (HR), Lycium ruthenicum M. (LR), Lycii fructus (LF), Rosa xanthina L. (RX), and Rubuscor chorifolius L. f. (RC) are six berries from Tibetan Plateau. They have been used in traditional folk medicine with a long history, which are rich in anthocyanins. However, detailed study of their anthocyanins remains scarce. Therefore, a method for rapid simultaneous identification and quantification of 12 anthocyanins from berries using UPLC-Quadruple-Orbitrap MS system (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) was established in this work. It was verified with limit of detection (3.86-11.61 µg/L), limit of quantification (3.86-11.61 µg/L), precision (0.95-2.38%), repeatability (0.96-2.08%), stability (0.86-2.31%), mean recovery (95.8-103.1%), recovery range (93.1-107.2%) and RSD less than 5.21%. It was then used in the analysis of anthocyanins in six berries species; 8, 7, 7, 7, 6 and 9 species of anthocyanins have been identified in NT, LF, LR, HR, RC and RX, respectively based on their own retention time and exact mass in positive mode, and for the first time quantified successfully in each berry (31.11 ± 0.42-2978 ± 25.67 μg.g -1 ). Finally, 2, 2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity (0.92 ± 0.12-5.61 ± 0.23 mM TE/100 g), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (1.23 ± 0.15-7.42 ± 0.28 mM TE/100 g) and total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the six berries.

The potential public health impact of foodborne parasites (FBP) transmitted via contaminated fresh produces indicates the necessity for robust and reliable laboratory methods for their detection and identification on this infection vehicle. Standardization of methods for detection of common FBP in fresh produce is to be expected and ensuring that the DNA extraction approach is most appropriate for the FBP of interest and for the matrix being analyzed is also important. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of two commercially available DNA extraction procedures, the UNEX-based method and DNeasy PowerSoil kit in the detection of three protozoan parasites, C. cayetanensis, C. parvum, and T. gondii, on contaminated berries. Oocysts of each parasite were spiked into the pellets of raspberry and blueberry washes. The spiked pellets were then randomly assigned to DNA extraction using either the PowerSoil or UNEX method, with DNA extraction with both methods performed by two independent analysts. The detection rate when berry washes were spiked with 20 oocysts of C. cayetanensis, T. gondii, and C. parvum was 95%, 85%, and 40%, respectively, when using the PowerSoil kit; whereas the equivalent results using the UNEX method were 55%, 60%, and 5%, respectively. In addition, significantly lower C q values were achieved for each parasite in the samples spiked with 500 oocysts when the PowerSoil kit was used. Possible reasons for these results are discussed, and include the composition of both the beads and the buffers in each method., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Traditionally part of the human diet, plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF) contain bioactive components that may exert physiological effects beyond nutrition, promoting human health and well-being. Focusing on their food-medicine functionality, different ways of using PEFF were studied in a cross-sectional way using two approaches: a bibliographical survey and an ethnobotanical case study in a rural community of Patagonia, Argentina., Methods: A total of 42 studies were selected for the bibliographical review. The case study was carried out with 80% of the families inhabiting the rural community of Cuyín Manzano, using free listing, interviews, and participant observation. In both cases we analyzed species richness and use patterns through the edible consensus and functional consensus indices. Local foods, ailments, medicines and drug plants were also registered., Results: The review identified 73 PEFF, the majority of which (78%) were native species, some with the highest use consensus. PEFF were used in 162 different local foods, but mainly as fresh fruit. Of the total, 42% were used in a functional way, in 54 different medicines. The principal functional native species identified in the review were Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla. In the case study 20 PEFF were in current use (50% were native), and consensus values were similar for native and exotic species. These were used in 44 different local foods, mainly as fresh fruit. Only 30% were recognized for their functional value by inhabitants (mainly as gastrointestinal and respiratory treatments). The species with the highest functional consensus were the exotic Sambucus nigra and Rosa rubiginosa, followed by the native A. chilensis, Ribes magellanicum and B. microphylla. Infusions also constituted important local functional foods., Conclusions: This survey highlights the importance of studying the different local functional foods to depict the biocultural diversity of a human society. The preparation of different beverages and herbal medicines was relevant, and would be a promising subject to investigate in the future. The living heritage of PEFF appears to have undergone hybridization processes, such that exotic species play an increasingly significant role.

Context: Berries are a source of polyphenols with recognized health-promoting activities. Several studies suggest that consumption of berries may improve vascular function., Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to provide evidence of short- and long-term benefits of berries on outcomes of vascular function., Data Sources: Human intervention studies were collected from PubMed and Scopus databases., Study Selection: Studies were eligible if they investigated the effects of acute or chronic berry consumption on one or more markers of vascular function in humans and provided a characterization of the berry polyphenolic content. Only randomized controlled trials were included, and studies were excluded if berries were combined with other foods., Data Extraction: After selection, 22 randomized controlled trials were included and analyzed, most of which were performed in healthy individuals or patients with cardiovascular risk factors., Results: The overall results seem to suggest a protective role of berries in vascular function, likely dependent on the time of exposure, the type and dose of berry, and the biomarkers analyzed. Flow-mediated dilation and reactive hyperemia index (markers of vascular reactivity) improved following short-term interventions, while pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (markers of arterial stiffness) improved only after medium- to long-term intervention., Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that berries, at physiological relevant doses, may have a role in the modulation of vascular function and stiffness. High-quality human intervention trials are encouraged in order to strengthen these findings and to better elucidate the mechanisms involved in such modulation., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Awareness of the human health benefits of blueberries is underpinned by a growing body of positive scientific evidence from human observational and clinical research, plus mechanistic research using animal and in vitro models. Blueberries contain a large number of phytochemicals, including abundant anthocyanin pigments. Of their various phytochemicals, anthocyanins probably make the greatest impact on blueberry health functionality. Epidemiological studies associate regular, moderate intake of blueberries and/or anthocyanins with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, death, and type 2 diabetes, and with improved weight maintenance and neuroprotection. These findings are supported by biomarker-based evidence from human clinical studies. Among the more important healthful aspects of blueberries are their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions and their beneficial effects on vascular and glucoregulatory function. Blueberry phytochemicals may affect gastrointestinal microflora and contribute to host health. These aspects have implications in degenerative diseases and conditions as well as the aging process. More evidence, and particularly human clinical evidence, is needed to better understand the potential for anthocyanin-rich blueberries to benefit public health. However, it is widely agreed that the regular consumption of tasty, ripe blueberries can be unconditionally recommended., (Copyright © American Society for Nutrition 2019.)

Fruits and berries are the most important sources of a wide range of biologically active substances, including vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins. In order to replenish and update data on the content of food and biologically active substances in the tables of the chemical composition of food products, a study of the content of mono- and disaccharides, dietary fiber was carried out; vitamins C, B1, B2 and E, minerals and trace elements; flavonoids (in terms of rutin), anthocyanins; organic and hydroxycinnamic acids, stilbenoids in various varieties of 16 fruit and berry crops. Material and methods . The material for the study was the fruits of promising varieties and selected forms of pome fruit (apple, pear), stone fruit (cherry, plum, apricot), berry (garden strawberry, raspberry, black currant, red currant, gooseberry), non-traditional crops (actinidia, honeysuckle, cornelian cherry, viburnum, sea buckthorn, rosehip) - a total of 208 samples grown at the I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center. The B vitamins were determined by the fluorometric method, and vitamin E, organic and hydroxycinnamic acids, carbohydrates, and stilbenoids were determined by HPLC. The amount of anthocyanin pigments was determined by pH differential spectrophotometry, dietary fiber - by enzymatic-gravimetric method, flavonoids - spectrophotometrically. Results and discussion . The main carbohydrate of apricot is sucrose, black currants, cherries, raspberries and honeysuckle contain mainly fructose and glucose. Raspberries and currants are high in fiber. Comparison of the obtained data on the content of vitamins B1, B2, E, flavonoids and anthocyanins in the studied population of varieties in comparison with the published data of tables of the chemical composition of food products in the USA and Russia was carried out. By the content of vitamin C in descending order, the fruits are arranged in a row: black currant > sea buckthorn > honeysuckle > strawberry > red currant > viburnum > gooseberry > raspberry > apple. Berries, making a significant contribution to providing the body with vitamin C, are not an essential source of vitamins B and E. The inclusion of 100 g of fresh fruit in the diet provides about 10% of the recommended dietary intake for potassium (apricot, gooseberry, cherry and black currant), magnesium (apple, cherry, strawberry) and dietary fiber. Honeysuckle and black currant are high in anthocyanins; consumption of 100 g of these berries will ensure adequate intake of these micronutrients. Some varieties of strawberries, apples and pears are rich in hydroxycinnamic acids. The data obtained can be used to refine the indicators in the existing tables of the chemical composition of food products. Conclusion . The obtained data on the composition of fruit and berry products will make it possible to more correctly calculate the nutritional value of rations using questionnaire-survey methods. Combined analysis of the composition of biologically active substances in berries and fruits makes it possible to more reasonably make the choice of a particular product in the dietary correction of the ration of healthy and sick people., Competing Interests: The authors declare no overt and potential conflict of interest related to the publication of this article., (Copyright© GEOTAR-Media Publishing Group.)

For the formation of a healthy diet, it is important to provide an economic and physical availability of the assortment of importsubstituting high quality and safe horticultural products, and to improve the industrial assortment. Wherein, the traits which define the consumer demand, such as quality and the chemical composition of fruits, saturation with essential micronutrients for healthy and dietary nutrition, should be taken into account in the first place among other breeding criteria, such as an early maturity and productivity. The aim of the research was the determination of breeding and technological priorities for fruits and berries from the point of view of the content of macro- and micronutrients for the development of dietary foodstuffs. Material and methods . The object of the investigation was the data on the content of protein, total sugar, mono- and disaccharides, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, organic acids, polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, resveratrol, piceid, vitamins С, E, B1, B2, PP and carotenoids in samples of fruit and berry crops grown on the experimental production sites of the Federal Research Center named after I.V. Michurin (25 varieties of apple, 21 varieties of pear, 14 - of cherry, 5 - apricot, 10 - honeysuckle, 14 - strawberry, 8 forms of viburnum, 18 varieties of raspberry, 13 varieties of gooseberry, 10 forms of sea buckthorn, 12 varieties of plum, 8 varieties of red currant, 12 varieties of black currant). The statistical software package Statistica 6 was used for statistical data processing and construction of mathematical models. Results and discussion . The scale of priority distribution was developed, based on the analysis of the micronutrient composition of fruit and berries. The limits of low, medium and high micronutrient content in horticultural products were defined. Therefore, the threshold values of high level (3 points) were determined as ≥6 g/100 g for the dietary fiber and ≥30% of the recommended daily intake for the biologically active substances (BAS), minerals and trace elements. The threshold values of medium level of content (2 points) were determined as ≥3 g/100 g for the dietary fiber, ≥15% of the recommended daily intake for the BAS, minerals and trace elements. And threshold values of low level of content (1 points) were determined as values of indicators which are less than aforementioned. It was found that the categories of low priority (1 point) in the studied crops include protein, vitamins B1 (except for honeysuckle), B2, E (except for sea buckthorn) and PP, as well as sodium, calcium and zinc. The majority of the research objects has medium values as a source of soluble dietary fiber, carotenoids, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids and potassium. The content of ascorbic acid and polyphenolic compounds, including anthocyanidins demonstrates the highest priority among the studied crops (3 points). According to the data obtained, the most of cultivars has a high content of organic acids (citric and malic), and more than 45.0% of the cultivars have a high content of vitamin C. 55.8% of cultivars have a high content of polyphenolic compounds, while 23.4% of cultivars are the sources of polyphenolic compounds too. Also 45.8% of cultivars have a high content of anthocyanidins, 25.0% of cultivars have a high content of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids, 2.9% of cultivars are rich in iron. 62.0% of cultivars are the sources of soluble dietary fiber, 49.6% - sources of flavonoids, 13.0% - sources of potassium, 5.8% - sources of magnesium, 2.9% - sources of copper. Conclusion . The assessment of the chemical composition of fruits and berries from the standpoint of the presence and the content of macro- and micronutrients and BAS, proposed as a breeding program priority for the development of foodstuffs for specialized, dietary and therapeutic nutrition, is the basis for the future work on identification of complex sources, formation of unique food matrices, and selection of technological processes to develope a line of specialized foodstuffs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no overt and potential conflict of interest related to the publication of this article., (Copyright© GEOTAR-Media Publishing Group.)

Background: Zoonotic taeniid cestodes are amongst the most important food-borne parasites affecting human health worldwide. Contamination of fresh produce with the eggs of Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.), Echinococcus multilocularis, and some Taenia species pose a potential food safety risk. However, very few studies have attempted to investigate the potential contamination of fresh produce with taeniid eggs and the available methods are not standardized for this purpose. Established protocols do exist for testing leafy greens and berries for contamination with protozoan parasites and are used in national surveillance programmes. This methodology could be suitable for the detection of taeniids. The objective of this project was to develop and standardize a sensitive and reliable method to detect contamination of leafy greens and berries with eggs of zoonotic taeniids and to differentiate between E. multilocularis, E. granulosus (s.l.) and Taenia spp., Methods: We compared the efficacy of different wash solutions to remove Taenia spp. eggs from spiked produce, assessed two DNA extraction kits for their performance on Taenia spp. eggs, and adapted a published conventional multiplex PCR into a real-time PCR with fluorescence melting curve analysis (MCA) that was optimized for use on produce washes. Analytical specificity of this protocol was assessed using non-spiked produce washes as well as a variety of other potentially contaminating parasites., Results: The protocol as established in this study had an analytical sensitivity of detecting five eggs per spiked sample for both romaine lettuce and strawberries. Unequivocal identification of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus (s.l.) and Taenia spp. was possible through MCA. Amplicon sequencing allowed identification of Taenia to the species level. The real-time PCR also amplified DNA from Dicrocoelium sp., but with a clearly discernable melting curve profile., Conclusion: The new protocol for screening produce for taeniid contamination was highly sensitive. Melting curve analysis and the possibility of amplicon sequencing made this assay very specific. Once further validated, this method could be employed for surveillance of produce for contamination with taeniid parasites to assess potential risks for consumers.

Evidence supports the beneficial effects of berries on glucoregulation, possibly related to flavonoid content, fiber content, or both. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of mixed berries to improve insulin sensitivity and to identify the potential role of flavonoids and fiber. In a randomized cross-over trial with four treatment periods, overweight/obese men and women were fed a controlled 45% fat diet for one week prior to a meal-based glucose tolerance test. The same base diet was provided during each feeding period with the addition of one of four treatments: whole mixed berries, sugar matched mixed berry juice, sugar matched gelatin, and sugar/fiber matched gelatin. Subjects then completed a meal-based oral glucose tolerance test. Serum glucose, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids were not different between individual treatments. However, in a secondary analysis, the combined berry preparations resulted in a lower serum insulin area under the curve (difference of 0.15 ± 0.066 ln pmol min/mL, mean ± SE, p = 0.0228), compared to the combined gelatin treatments, while the difference for serum glucose did not quite meet statistical significance (difference of 0.17 ± 0.093 ln mg·min/dL, mean ± SE, p = 0.0738). These results suggest the potential for mixed berry preparations to improve post-prandial insulin response.

Detection of viruses on berries is a challenging task, often hampered by the presence of RT-qPCR inhibiting substances from berry juice. A direct extraction method for virus detection (murine norovirus and GA phage) on frozen raspberries was previously published. We expanded (different types of berries and viruses) and improved the method using MobiSpin S400 columns that filter nucleic acids based on size-exclusion chromatography. While no inhibition was detected in filtered RNA, unfiltered RNA needed from 1:2 to more than 1:8 dilution in order to remove inhibition. The modified method gave recoveries of bovine norovirus around 40.8 ± 4.5% (40.0 ± 7.0%), 48.0 ± 26.0% (50.5 ± 7.8%), 28.3 ± 2.6% (45.8 ± 6.6%) from frozen (fresh) raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, respectively. For the same samples, recoveries of hepatitis A virus were 34.0 ± 5.9% (34.0 ± 6.0%), 40.0 ± 13.3% (34.2 ± 10.5%) and 23.0 ± 6.8% (31.5 ± 7.9%). For adenovirus40 (DNA virus), recoveries were 21.2 ± 8.6%, 16.0 ± 3.2% and 5.7 ± 0.2% from fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries respectively and column filtration did not add any improved effect. The modified method is effective and timesaving for detection of viral RNA from both fresh and frozen berries. As an emerging detection and direct quantification method, droplet digital RT-PCR was compared to RT-qPCR and was much less influenced by inhibitors when detecting mengovirus in unfiltered RNA from berries. However, for low levels of pure RNA, RT-qPCR showed slightly higher sensitivity and more stable results., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Norovirus (NoV), a major food-borne virus, causes non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis in humans. Berries are generally harvested from low-growing bushes by hand and are minimally processed before being sold to consumers. Therefore, the consumption of berries has been linked to numerous food-borne gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by NoV in many countries. We performed a survey of NoV contamination in commercial fresh/frozen berry fruits collected from 2016 to 2017 in the Heilongjiang Province, the main berry-producing area in China, using a TaqMan-based real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay. Among 900 frozen and 900 fresh domestic retail berry samples, the prevalence of NoV was 9% (81/900) and 12.11% (109/900), including 35.80% (29/81) and 29.36% (32/109) of genotype GI alone, 54.32% (44/81) and 60.55% (66/109) of GII alone, and 9.88% (8/81) and 10.09% (11/109) of both GI and GII, respectively. No NoV was detected among the 677 frozen berry samples for export. Thus, the occurrence of NoV contamination was significantly higher in domestic berries than in exported berries and higher in fresh berries than in frozen berries. This study highlights the need for further risk surveillance for NoV contamination in berries produced in the Heilongjiang Province and recommends region-extended monitoring of retail berries for NoV., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Strawberries and blueberries are two of the most commonly consumed berries. Berries, in general, are characterized by their highly nutritive compounds, including minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and dietary fiber, as well as their high content and wide diversity of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and organic acids. These bioactive compounds have been associated with protective effects against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and other disorders. In this paper 16 human intervention studies investigating the beneficial health effects of dietary strawberry or blueberry consumption on inflammation, cardiovascular disease or cognitive function and mental health are reviewed.

The structure and function of by-products of berry-processing industries are reviewed, with particular attention to dietary fibre (DF) and its effects in food products. The complex chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of DF have been investigated and strategies for extraction of specific fractions that provide tailored technological and physiological functionality have been reviewed. The aim of this review is to describe in detail the structural composition and isolation methods of dietary fibre derived from berry by-products, and to explore their potential functionality in foods. The goal is to introduce DF from berry waste streams into the food chain, for which bread is a major vehicle. However, the appeal of bread lies in its aerated structure, for which DF is generally detrimental. The technological influence of DF on the formation and stabilization of the aerated structure of bread is therefore reviewed, in order to understand how to incorporate DF into bread while maintaining palatability. The aerated structure of bread is stabilized by two mechanisms: the gluten matrix and the liquid film surrounding bubbles. Incorporating DF successfully into bread requires understanding its interactions with both of these mechanisms. DF fractions from berries offer superior nutritional value compared to cereal fibre, potentially with less damage to bread structure, due to the higher proportion of soluble fibre. By-products from berry-processing industries could be used as a source of technologically and nutritionally distinctive DF to fabricate foods with enhanced nutritional value. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Sugars and organic acids are important phytochemicals contributing to the nutrition and sensory properties of fruits and berries. Their contents are closely correlated to the genetic background of plants as well as to the environmental conditions during growth. This review focuses on the recent researches on the metabolism of these compounds in fruits and berries in response to the variation of environmental conditions, including temperature, radiation, and water supply. A great deal of investigations indicates that the influence of environmental factors on the composition of fruits/berries depended largely on the genetic background. Moreover, the metabolic regulation in response to environmental changes also varies between different plant developmental stages. Nevertheless, some general trends, like the positive correlation between light intensity and sugar content, were observed in most investigations. In grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), the content of malic acid always decreases as light intensity increases, and as the water supply decreases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The contents of sugars and organic acids, and especially their relative ratio, are important indicators determining the taste and quality of fruits and fruit products. In this review, we summarized the investigations carried out on the regulation of these sensory contributing primary metabolites in fruits and berries in relation to the variation of environmental conditions. It was indicated that various factors, such as plant genotype, growing period, and interaction between environmental factors, might contribute to the impact of environmental changes on the composition of fruits/berries. The article not only provides comprehensive knowledges in food chemistry and plant physiology but also provide important background knowledge for berry cultivation and breeding, as well as useful guidelines for utilization of fruits and berries in food industry., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Cell migration is a critical process that is highly involved with normal and pathological conditions such as angiogenesis and wound healing. Important members of the RHO GTPase family are capable of controlling cytoskeleton conformation and altering motility characteristics of cells. There is a well-known relationship between small GTPases and the PI3K/AKT pathway. Endothelial cell migration can lead to angiogenesis, which is highly linked to wound healing processes. Phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are major groups of phytochemicals and are abundant in many natural products. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, angiogenenic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective properties have been extensively documented. This comprehensive review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo role of berry extracts and single anthocyanin and phenolic acid compounds on cell migration and angiogenesis. We aim to summarize the most recent published studies focusing on the experimental model, type of berry extract, source, dose/concentration and overall effect(s) of berry extracts, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids on the above processes.

Background: Raspberry and strawberry are high value-added food products that can contribute to human health due to the abundance of polyphenols that they contain. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites and therefore devoted to improve plant adaptation, these polyphenol profile can be induced applying different stimuli, such as certain bacteria. The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to evaluate the ability of two bacterial strains to modulate secondary metabolisms in strawberry and raspberry, and (ii) to explore the ability of plant extracts to modify enzyme activities related to metabolic syndrome., Results: Total phenolic and anthocyanin content was higher in strawberries than in raspberries, despite similar antioxidant capacities. Strawberry extracts performed better on the tested enzymes, except on α-glucosidase inhibition capacity. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens stabilized the effects of extracts at different points in time, and Pseudomonas fluorescens modified plant metabolism after more inoculations (spring) in both species, improving the effects of raspberry extracts on α-glucosidase, COX1, and COX2, and of strawberry on α-amylase and COX1., Conclusion: It is good to include these two fruits in the diet because they improve the activity of metabolic syndrome-related enzymes. Applying either strain during plant growth modifies the bioactive profile of the plants, improving the effects of the fruit extracts on human health. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Berries contain bioactive polyphenols, whose capacity to prevent cardiovascular diseases has been established recently in animal models as well in human clinical trials. However, cellular processes and molecular targets of berries polyphenols remain to be identified. The capacity of a polyphenol-enriched diet (i.e., blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberry tree fruits and Portuguese crowberries berries mixture) to promote animal survival and protect cardiovascular function from salt-induced hypertension was evaluated in a chronic salt-sensitive Dahl rat model. The daily consumption of berries improved survival of Dahl/salt-sensitive rats submitted to high-salt diet and normalized their body weight, renal function and blood pressure. In addition, a prophylactic effect was observed at the level of cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction, tissue cohesion and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Berries also protected the aorta from fibrosis and modulated the expression of aquaporin-1, a channel involved in endothelial water and nitric oxide permeability. Left ventricle proteomics analysis led to the identification of berries and salt metabolites targets, including cystein and glycin-rich protein 3 (CSRP3), a protein involved in myocyte cytoarchitecture. In neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes, CSRP3 was validated as a target of a berries-derived polyphenol metabolite, 4-methylcatechol sulfate, at micromolar concentrations, mimicking physiological conditions of human plasma circulation. Accordingly, siRNA silencing of CSRP3 and 4-methylcatechol sulfate pretreatment reversed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and CSRP3 overexpression induced by phenylephrine. Our systemic study clearly supports the modulation of CSRP3 by a polyphenol-rich berries diet as an efficient cardioprotective strategy in hypertension-induced heart failure., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Berries have repeatedly been associated with outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. The fruits are usually minimally processed in the food industry due to their delicate nature. While washing treatments partially remove enteric viruses, the commonly used chemical additives produce toxic by-products. A valid alternative to preserve the food safety of these products could be the use of essential oils (EOs). EOs exert antimicrobial activity and do not interfere with the nutritional characteristics of food products. We investigated the efficacy of four essential oils, lemon (Citrus limon), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), and rosemary cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis chemotype 1.8 cineole) in reducing viral loads of HAV in soft fruits. Mixed fruit berries were inoculated with 10 6.74 TCID 50 /ml of HAV, and treated with four different EOs (0.5% lemon, 0.1% sweet orange and grapefruit, and 0.05% rosemary) for 1 h at room temperature. Virus infectivity was then assessed by titration assays for its ability to grow on cell cultures. A statistically significant reduction in HAV titer on the fruit surface was observed after treating the berries with EOs of lemon (2.84 log TCID 50 /ml), grapefruit (2.89 log TCID 50 /ml), and rosemary cineole (2.94 log TCID 50 /ml). Rosemary cineole was the most effective EO in reducing viral titer on berries, followed by grapefruit EO. These results improve our knowledge about the antiviral activity of these EOs and highlight their potential use in fresh produce sanitation.

Background: The main methods used to increase the yield and quality of strawberry fruit produced in acidic soils with low P availability include root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and adjusting the type of P supplementation by means of traditional (TF) or organic (OF) fertilization, and adjusting nutrient doses. In this study, the antioxidant properties of strawberry fruit were evaluated under different treatments of fertilization (TF or OF) and different doses of P supplied at planting (0, 50 or 100% of the agronomic recommendation) and in the presence or absence of AM fungus as a bioinoculant., Results: Fruits without fertilization treatments and with TF presented with higher anthocyanin concentrations. In general, higher values were obtained without AM colonization. However, spectrophotometric tests showed the highest activity and concentration in the AM-inoculated treatments. It is likely that phenolic compounds other than anthocyanins are present in the extracts. These other compounds could not be identified by the method used but could be detected by the Folin-Ciocalteu method., Conclusion: This study provides information that allows for improvements in strawberry fruit quality by agronomic management, with a potential beneficial effect on the health of consumers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a well-known dietary pattern associated with longevity and improvement of life quality as it reduces the risk of the most common chronic pathologies, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), that represent the principal cause of death worldwide. One of the most characteristic foods of MedDiet is olive oil, a very complex matrix, which constitutes the main source of fats and is used in the preparation of foods, both raw as an ingredient in recipes, and in cooking. Similarly, strawberries and raspberries are tasty and powerful foods which are commonly consumed in the Mediterranean area in fresh and processed forms and have attracted the scientific and consumer attention worldwide for their beneficial properties for human health. Besides olive oil and berries, honey has lately been introduced in the MedDiet thanks to its relevant nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant profile. It is a sweet substance that has recently been classified as a functional food. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the recent evidence, obtained from in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies, on the potential roles exerted by these foods in the prevention and progression of different types of cancer and CVDs.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and diabetes are serious threat to human health and more and more aroused people's attention. It is important to find the safe and effective prevention and treatment methods for the three deadly diseases. At present, a generally attention in the possible positive effects of edible berries for the three deadly diseases has been noted. Berry phytochemical compounds regulate different signaling pathways about cell survival, growth and differentiation. They contribute to the prevention and treatment of CVD, cancer and diabetes. This article reviews previous experimental evidence, several common berry phytochemical compounds and their possible mechanisms involved in three deadly diseases were summarized.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (known as "agraz") is a berry rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agraz consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in women with MetS. Forty women with MetS (47 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 200 mL of agraz nectar or placebo over four weeks in a double-blind, cross-over design study, separated by a 4-week washout period. Metabolic and inflammatory markers in serum and antioxidant/oxidative stress markers in serum and urine were assessed at the end of each period. Serum antioxidant capacity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was significantly higher ( p = 0.028), while urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was lower ( p = 0.041) after agraz consumption, compared to placebo. In conclusion, consumption of agraz during four weeks increased serum antioxidant capacity and decreased a marker of DNA oxidative damage in women with MetS, compared to placebo. These results suggest that agraz consumption may play a protective role in patients with MetS.

Pitanga, a fruit of the pitangueira tree (Eugenia uniflora L.), is native to Brazil and has a high antioxidant capacity due to the elevated amount of anthocyanins. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the purple pitanga fruit and to evaluate its antioxidant effect in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed that the ethanolic extract of purple pitanga did not cause any toxic effects but notably increased worm lifespan. The extract improved the survival, reproduction and lifespan of the worms in pre- and post-exposure to stressors H 2 O 2 and juglone, as well as improved the lifespan of the oxidative stress hypersensitive strain mev-1. Notably, PPE extract decreased reactive oxygen species by DCF-DA probe and protein carbonyl content from worms stressed with H 2 O 2 . The extract also affected the expression of superoxide dismutase SOD-3 and heat shock protein HSP-16.2 levels, daf 16 target genes that modulate lifespan and antioxidant metabolism. In addition, we demonstrate that these effects are dependent on DAF-16, as PPE extract did not provide protection in daf-16 mutants. Therefore, these results suggest that PPE significantly protected against oxidative stress modulating daf-16 target genes., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)