A SQUAMOSA MADS-box gene involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in bilberry fruits

Anthocyanins are important health promoting phytochemicals that are abundant in many fleshy fruits. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the best sources of these compounds. Here we report on the expression pattern and functional analysis of a SQUAMOSA (SQUA) class MADS-box transcription factor, VmTDR4, associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in bilberry. Levels of VmTDR4 expression were spatially and temporally linked with colour development and anthocyanin-related gene expression. Virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) was used to suppress VmTDR4 expression in bilberry resulting in substantial reduction in anthocyanin levels in fully ripe fruits. Chalcone synthase was used a positive control in the VIGS experiments. Additionally, in sectors of fruit tissue in which the expression of the VmTDR4 gene was silenced, the expression of R2R3 MYB family transcription factors related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids were also altered. We conclude that VmTDR4 plays an important role in the accumulation of anthocyanins during normal ripening in bilberry; probably through direct or indirect control of transcription factors belonging to the R2R3 MYB family

Food Tailoring bilberry powder functionality by processing: effects of preprocessing.

Berry powders are popular as ingredients in a range of food products, where they naturally provide flavor, color, texture, polyphenols, fiber, and other nutrients. The choices regarding processing techniques and conditions influence the quality attrib- utes of berry powders. The aim of this study was to study the effects on bilberry powder functionalities of applying different preprocessing techniques (purée mixing and juice pressing vs. untreated whole berries) prior to hot air drying and milling. Drying of press cake reduced the drying time by 72% and increased the total appar- ent phenolic content of the final powder by 44%, as compared to the powder of dried whole berries. The press cake powder showed an easier flowing behavior than the powders from whole berries and puréed berries. Dispersibility (in water and dairy cream) was 60% higher for powders from whole berries and puréed berries, as com- pared to press cake. The total phenolic content of the dispersed powders was highest for whole berries and puréed berries. Bilberry powder functionality can be modu- lated through the selection of an appropriate preprocessing technique before drying and milling. This tailors the powder properties into food ingredients ready for differ- ent applications, without the need for additives

Extraction of bioactive polyphenols with high antioxidant activity from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) processing waste

Bioactive polyphenols were extracted from the peel fraction of bilberry processing waste using aqueous ethanol as solvent. A response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of liquid-to-solid ratio (R), solvent composition (C), extraction time (E) and temperature (T) on the extraction yield. The following optimal conditions were determined: R = 30 mL/g, C = 57%, E = 160 min, T = 40 °C. Phenolic extracts with a polyphenol content of 83.75 ± 4.16 mg GAE/g and an antioxidant activity of 7.64 ± 0.43 mmol TE/g were also produced using a batch extractor operating under optimal process conditions

A single supplement of a standardised bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36 % wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes controlled by diet and lifestyle

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Tailoring bilberry powder functionality through processing: effects of drying and fractionation on the stability of total polyphenols and anthocyanins.

Bilberries are a rich natural source of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. The press cake obtained during the processing of bilberry juice is a potential source of phytochemicals. The objective of this study was to evaluate different drying techniques and the fractionation of bilberry press cake powder toward obtaining phenolic-rich ingredients for incorporation into value-added food products. The derived powders were dispersed in water and dairy cream, to investigate the effects of drying and fractionation on the dispersibility and solubility of phenolic compounds. The drying techniques, hot air drying and microwave drying, applied on bilberry press cake reduced the content of total phenolics and anthocyanins. The degradation was, however, consistently small and similar for both techniques. The major anthocyanins detected in the samples were stable during drying and fractionation treatments. Fractionation of the press cake powder affected the total apparent phenolic content and composition of the different fractions. The highest phenolic content (55.33 ± 0.06 mg g−1 DW) and highest anthocyanin content (28.15 ± 0.47 mg g−1 DW) were found in the fractions with the smallest particle size (<500 μm), with delphinidin-3-O-galactoside being the most abundant anthocyanin. Dispersibility of all dried powder samples was higher in dairy cream than water, and the highest level of anthocyanins was measured in samples from the powder with the smallest particle size (<500 μm), dispersed in cream. The application of drying, milling and fractionation was found to be a promising approach to transform bilberry press cake into stable and deliverable ingredients that can be used for fortification of food products with high levels of phenolic compounds

Antioxidant Effect of Bilberry on Oxidative Stress Caused by Acute Exercise in Rats

This research is supported by Atatürk University Scientific Research Commission. Abstract This study, it was aimed to determine the antioxidant effect of bilberry extract in decreasing the oxidative stress caused by acute exhaustive exercises in rats' blood and liver tissues.  27 Spraque-Dawley type male rats were divided into four groups (control, exercise, bilberry and bilberry+exercise groups). Bilberry extract was administered using gavage once daily. Before blood and liver tissues were taken, the rats ran in a treadmill at a speed of 25 m/min (1.5 km / h) at a slope of 0 for about 1 hour or until exhaustion. Compared to the control group, serum GSH levels and GPx activities did not have a significant change in the bilberry, acute exercise and bilberry + acute exercise groups; while serum MDA levels decreased significantly. When compared to the control group, liver GPx activity significantly increased in the bilberry and bilberry+acute exercise groups. Again, it was determined that liver GSH level significantly increased in bilberry+acute exercise group.The results of this study demonstrate that bilberry extract may provide antioxidant protection against a potential oxidative damage as it causes an increase in hepatic GPx activity and GSH levels in rats exposed to acute exhaustive exercise. Keywords: Antioxidants, acute exhaustive exercise, bilberry, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyDOI: 10.7176/JMPB/65-04 Publication date: April 30th 2020

Lower levels of damaged protein biomarkers in the plasma of overweight type 2 diabetic men following supplementation with a standardised bilberry extract

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Innovative and eco-sustainable processing and packaging for safe and high quality organic products with enhanced nutritional quality. Final report

The main goal of the project has been to develop innovative sustainable processing and packaging technologies to meet the growing consumer demand and boost the manufacturing of safe organic berry products with high nutritional quality and low environmental impact. The aim has been to evaluate technologies to naturally extend the shelf-life of fresh organic berries and to process berries into a wide variety of value added products. Several solutions and technologies for extending shelf life and the overall quality of fresh and processed berry and fruit products have been identified and developed during the three years of the project

Anthocyanin absorption and metabolism by human intestinal Caco-2 cells: a review

Anthocyanins from different plant sources have been shown to possess health beneficial effects against a number of chronic diseases. To obtain any influence in a specific tissue or organ, these bioactive compounds must be bioavailable, i.e., effectively absorbed from the gut into the circulation and transferred to the appropriate location within the body while still maintaining their bioactivity. One of the key factors affecting the bioavailability of anthocyanins is their transport through the gut epithelium. The Caco-2 cell line, a human intestinal epithelial cell model derived from a colon carcinoma, has been proven to be a good alternative to animal studies for predicting intestinal absorption of anthocyanins. Studies investigating anthocyanin absorption by Caco-2 cells report very low absorption of these compounds. However, the bioavailability of anthocyanins may be underestimated since the metabolites formed in the course of digestion could be responsible for the health benefits associated with anthocyanins. In this review, we critically discuss recent findings reported on the anthocyanin absorption and metabolism by human intestinal Caco-2 cells

Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Vaccinium myrtillus fruit in experimentally induced diabetes (antidiabetic effect of Vaccinium myrtillus fruit)

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) is a useful plant with antidiabetic properties in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bilberry against DM. Diabetes was induced using intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg kg-1 body weight (BW)). Bilberry powder (2 g d-1) and glibenclamide (positive control; 0.6 mg kg-1 BW) were administered for 4 weeks following alloxan injection. Serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined at baseline and at 2nd and 4th week of the study. RESULTS: Bilberry supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of glucose compared with the diabetic control as well as glibenclamide treatment. Bilberry elevated insulin, reduced TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TG levels, and prevented HDL-C decline. Serum insulin, TC and LDL-C levels were not affected by glibenclamide, and CRP did not significantly change with either bilberry or glibenclamide. Histological examinations revealed a significant elevation of islet size in the bilberry and glibenclamide-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation with bilberry fruits may protect against impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in DM. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry