Characterisation of phenolic compounds in wild fruits from Northeastern Portugal

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the phenolic composition of wild fruits of Arbutus unedo (strawberry-tree), Prunus spinosa (blackthorn), Rosa canina and Rosa micrantha (wild roses). Analyses were performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Prunus spinosa fruits presented the highest concentration in phenolic acids (29.78 mg/100 g dry weight), being 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid the most abundant one, and flavone/ols (57.48 mg/100 g), among which quercetin3-O-rutinoside (15.63 mg/100 g) was the majority compound. (+)-Catechin was the most abundant compound in A. unedo (13.51 mg/100 g) and R. canina (3.59 mg/100 g) fruits. Arbutus unedo fruits presented the highest concentration in flavan-3-ols (36.30 mg/100 g). Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was found in all the studied fruits, being the major anthocyanin in most of them, with the exception of P. spinosa samples, in which cyaniding 3-O-rutinoside and peonidin 3-O-rutinoside predominated; Prunus spinosa fruit presented the more complex anthocyanin profile among the analysed fruits and also the highest anthocyanin concentrations, which was coherent with its greater pigmentation. All in all, P. spinosa presented the highest levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavonols and flavones, although no flavan-3-ols could be identified in its fruits. The present study represents a contribution to the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds from wild fruits with acknowledged antioxidant activity and traditionally used for several folk medicinal applications.

Bioactivity of Different Enriched Phenolic Extracts of Wild Fruits from Northeastern Portugal: A Comparative Study

“…The studied extracts were chemically characterized in a previous work of our research group (8). Herein, two different enriched phenolic extracts were prepared, in order to evaluate and compare their bioactivity: a non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds enriched extract (PE; with phenolic acids, flavones/ols, flavan-3-ols and galloyl derivatives) and a separate anthocyanins enriched extract (AE).…”

“…and Rosa canina L. are good sources of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins (8). The fruits of A. unedo are used in folk medicine as antiseptics, diuretics and laxatives (9).…”

Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

“…After the incubation period, the plates were washed with deionized water, dried, sulforhodamine B solution (SRB 0.1% in 1% acetic acid, 100 μL) was incorporated to each plate well, and incubated for 30 min at room temperature. The plates were washed with acetic acid (1%) in order to remove the unbound SRB and air dried, the bounded SRB was solubilised with Tris (10 mM, 200 μL) and the absorbance was measured at 540 nm using an ELX800 microplate reader (Bio-Tek Instruments, Inc.; Winooski, VT, USA) (Guimarães et al, 2013).…”

“…As for rose samples (R. canina), there are some previous studies on the total phenolic composition (Kuś, Jerković, Tuberoso, Marijanović, & Congiu, 2014), individual phenolic profile (Demir, Yildiz, Alpaslan, & Hayaloglu, 2014;Guimarães et al, 2013), and antioxidant activity of fruits and flowers Hvattum, 2002),…”

Suitability of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) extract rich in rosmarinic acid as a potential enhancer of functional properties in cupcakes

“…The hepatotoxicity was evaluated following a cell line obtained from porcine liver acquired from certified abattoirs (Guimarães et al, 2013). A phase-contrast microscope was used to monitor the growth of the cell cultures, which were sub-cultured and plated in 96 well plates (density of 1.0 × 10 4 cells/well).…”