In vitro inhibitory effects of cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) extracts on aldose reductase, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase

The in vitro inhibitory activities of different seed extracts prepared from cranberry bean mutant SA‐05 and its wild‐type variety Hwachia against aldose reductase, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase were examined. The results indicated that the polyphenolics‐rich extracts obtained using 800 g kg^?1 methanol and 500 g kg^?1 ethanol demonstrated inhibitory activities against aldose reductase (IC₅₀ of 0.36–0.46 mg mL^?1) and α‐glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 1.32–1.94 mg mL^?1). The 500 g kg^?1 ethanol extracts also showed α‐amylase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ of 70.11–80.22 μg mL^?1). Subsequent extracts, prepared further with NaCl and H₂O from precipitates of 800 g kg^?1 methanol or 500 g kg^?1 ethanol extracts, exhibited potent α‐amylase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ of 17.68–38.68 μg mL^?1). A combination of 500 g kg^?1 ethanol extraction plus a subsequent H₂O extraction produced highest polyphenolics and α‐amylase inhibitors. The SA‐05 α‐amylase inhibitor extracts showed greater inhibitory activities than that of Hwachia. Thus, cranberry bean mutant SA‐05 is an advantageous choice for producing anti‐hyperglycaemic compounds.     

Static,Kinetic, and Isotherm Adsorption Performances of Macroporous Adsorbent Resins for Recovery and Enrichment of Bioactive Procyanidins from Cranberry Pomace

This study examined the ability of five Amberlite resins coupled with ultrasound‐assisted water extraction for the recovery and enrichment of bioactive procyanidins and total phenolics from cranberry pomace. Static adsorption showed that XAD‐7HP had the highest adsorption capacity for procyanidins (52.2 mg/g resin) and total phenolics (99.1 mg/g resin) whereas XAD‐761 had the lowest. Adsorption of procyanidins fitted better to pseudo‐second‐order kinetics than pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. Isotherm adsorption on XAD‐7HP suggested that Langmuir isotherm was a better model to describe the adsorption of procyanidins while Kemkin–Pyzhev equation was better for total phenolics based on higher coefficient of determinations (R²). Dynamic tests on XAD‐7HP suggested that the flow rate of 7 and 8 mL/min were the optimum conditions for adsorption and desorption of procyanidins, respectively. Measurements using HPLC revealed that adsorption increased the contents of procyanidins and total phenolics by 4.57‐ and 4.73‐folds, respectively, compared to the initial extracts. This research showed that Amberlite XAD‐7HP resin adsorption coupled with ultrasound‐assisted water extraction is an efficient method to separate and concentrate procyanidins from cranberry pomace.     

Development and Characterization of Edible Films from Cranberry Pomace Extracts

The feasibility of using cranberry pomace extract as a new film‐forming material was studied. Cranberry pomaces were extracted using hot water. Low methoxyl pectin (LMP) or high methoxyl pectin (HMP) at a concentration of 0.50% or 0.75% (w/w) and 0.25% (w/w) sorbitol or glycerol was incorporated into film‐forming solutions (FFSs) for improving film functionality. Proximate compositions of cranberry pomace and its extract were determined. The pH and total soluble solid content (SSC) of FFSs, physical and mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, and microstructure of dried films were analyzed. About 1.4% (w/w) of solids was obtained from cranberry pomace water extracts, of which about 93% was carbohydrate. Dried films had bright red color and strong cranberry flavor. Films plasticized with sorbitol were denser in matrix structure and had higher color intensity than those of glycerol plasticized films. In general, LMP and sorbitol incorporated films had higher tensile strength and lower elongation at break and lower water vapor permeability than other films. The higher (0.75%) pectin concentration resulted in increased tensile strength, but decreased elongation at break. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that sorbitol added films had more regular and compact cross‐section structure than those of glycerol added films. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to create natural colorful and fruit flavor edible films from fruit pomace water extracts. Depending on specific applications of the films, targeted film functionality can be achieved by incorporating proper pectin type and concentration and plasticizer into pomace extracts.     

Cranberries: ripe for more cancer research?

Berries have been recognized as a functional food with potential to protect against a variety of health conditions, including some cancers. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production and consumption have grown in recent years, warranting further evaluation of potential health benefits. Extracts and isolated constituents from cranberry fruit inhibit growth and proliferation of tumor cells in vitro, and recent data from animal studies lend further support to cranberry's reputation as a cancer fighter. Several likely mechanisms of action for cranberry against prostate and other cancers have been identified, including induction of apoptosis and inhibition of events linked to cellular invasion and migration. This article attempts to put into perspective what is known about cranberry's potential chemopreventive properties, what is yet to be determined, and some factors to consider as research moves forward.     

Favorable Glycemic Response of Type 2 Diabetics to Low‐Calorie Cranberry Juice

ABSTRACT: Fruit and vegetable intake is typically low for type 2 diabetics, possibly due to a perceived adverse effect on glycemic control. Cranberry juice (CBJ) may represent an attractive means for increasing fruit intake and simultaneously affording positive health benefits. This single cross‐over design compared metabolic responses of type 2 diabetics (n= 12) to unsweetened low‐calorie CBJ (LCCBJ; 19 Cal/240 mL), carbohydrate sweetened normal calorie CBJ (NCCBJ; 120 Cal/240 mL), isocaloric low‐calorie sugar water control (LCC), and isocaloric normal calorie sugar water control (NCC) interventions. CBJ flavonols and anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins were quantified with HPLC, LC‐MS, and MALDI‐TOF that includes an original characterization of several large oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Blood glucose peaked 30 min postingestion after NCCBJ and NCC at 13.3 ± 0.5 and 12.8 ± 0.9 (mmol/L), and these responses were significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC peaks of 8.1 ± 0.5 and 8.7 ± 0.5, respectively. Differences in glycemic response remained significant 60 min, but not 120 min postingestion. Plasma insulin values 60 min postingestion for NCCBJ and NCC interventions were 140 ± 19 and 151 ± 18 (pmol/L), respectively, and significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC values of 56 ± 10 and 54 ± 10; differences were not significant 120 min postingestion. Metabolic responses within the 2 high and 2 low‐calorie beverages were virtually identical; however, exposure to potentially beneficial nutrients was greater with CBJ. Relative to conventionally sweetened preparation, LCCBJ provides a favorable metabolic response and should be useful for promoting increased fruit consumption among type 2 diabetics or others wishing to limit carbohydrate intake.     

Ursolic acid and its esters: occurrence in cranberries and other Vaccinium fruit and effects on matrix metalloproteinase activity in DU145 prostate tumor cells

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid and its cis‐ and trans‐3‐O‐p‐hydroxycinnamoyl esters have been identified as constituents of American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), which inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Since the compounds may contribute to berry anticancer properties, their content in cranberries, selected cranberry products, and three other Vaccinium species (V. oxycoccus, V. vitis‐idaea and V. angustifolium) was determined by liquid chromatography‐mass spectroscopy. The ability of these compounds to inhibit growth in a panel of tumor cell lines and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity associated with tumor invasion and metastasis was determined in DU145 prostate tumor cells. RESULTS: The highest content of ursolic acid and esters was found in V. macrocarpon berries (0.460–1.090 g ursolic acid and 0.040–0.160 g each ester kg^?1 fresh weight). V. vitis‐idaea and V. angustifolium contained ursolic acid (0.230–0.260 g kg^?1), but the esters were not detected. V. oxycoccus was lowest (0.129 g ursolic acid and esters per kg). Ursolic acid content was highest in cranberry products prepared from whole fruit. Ursolic acid and its esters inhibited tumor cell growth at micromolar concentrations, and inhibited MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity at concentrations below those previously reported for cranberry polyphenolics. CONCLUSION: Cranberries (V. macrocarpon) were the best source of ursolic acid and its esters among the fruit and products tested. These compounds may limit prostate carcinogenesis through matrix metalloproteinase inhibition. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

蔓越莓抗氧化干蛋糕的制作工艺

以糕点粉和具有抗氧化活性的蔓越莓为原料,考察了蔓越莓、白砂糖、牛奶、塔塔粉添加量和脱水时间对蔓越莓抗氧化干蛋糕感官品质的影响。在单因素实验基础上,利用正交实验对相应工艺参数进行了优化。结果表明,制作蔓越莓抗氧化干蛋糕的最佳工艺参数为:蔓越莓16%、白砂糖(蛋白)86%、牛奶56%、塔塔粉2%、脱水时间180 min,此条件下干蛋糕感官评分为91.34。蔓越莓抗氧化干蛋糕总抗氧化值为16.58 U/g,具有一定的抗氧化功能和蔓越莓独特清香风味。      

蔓越橘预防尿路感染机制及营养食品的开发

蔓越橘中含有多种酚类物质。蔓越橘提取物可预防动脉粥样硬化、心血管疾病,恢复血管弹性,消除眼疲劳改善视力,抗癌及增强心脏的功能。另外蔓越橘还具有治疗尿路感染的功效,蔓越橘中含有花青素,该物质可与细菌纤毛的外源性凝集素相接触,使细菌不能与细胞受体结合而随尿液流出,从而抑制耐药性及非耐药性大肠杆菌吸附到泌尿道壁,起到预防尿路感染的保健作用。目前国内已有几种蔓越橘营养性食品在市面上销售,如蔓越橘酿造酒、蛋糕曲奇、果味酸奶、果汁饮料等产品。本文主要从蔓越橘的营养成分与功能特性、蔓越橘预防尿路感染的机制和营养食品的开发这几方面进行概述。