Chemical composition, nutritional value, and antioxidant activities of eight mulberry cultivars from China

Abstract

Background:Mulberry (Morus, Moraceae) is widely distributed in the temperate, subtropical, or tropical regions of the world, while there are no conclusive reports on the chemical composition, nutritional value, and antioxidant properties of mulberry cultivars from China.Objective:To investigate chemical properties and to determine proximate nutritive compounds of the eight mulberry cultivars.Materials and Methods:Chemical properties (including moisture, ash, total dry matter, total soluble solids, pH, and total titratable acidity) of the eight mulberry cultivars were investigated. Proximate nutritive compounds (including crude protein, crude fat, mineral elements, total anthocyanins, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and total sugars) were also determined.Results:The results indicated that the moisture contents were 70.0-87.4%, the crude protein contents 1.62-5.54%, and the crude fat contents from 1.23-2.23%. The major fatty acids in mulberry fruits were linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16:0), 26.40-74.77% and 9.29-22.26%, respectively. Mulberry fruit is also a good source of minerals and the potassium content (521.37-1718.60 mg/100g DW) is especially higher than that of other elements. Compared with other species, the Morus atropurpurea Roxb. had relatively high total polyphenols content (189.67-246.00 mg GAE/100mg) and anthocyanins content (114.67-193.00 mg/100mg). There was a good linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total polyphenols content.Conclusion:Significant differences of the chemical composition, nutritional value, and antioxidant activities among the mulberry cultivars were observed, the Morus atropurpurea Roxb. showed considerable high nutritional value and antioxidant activity which could be developed for functional food that benefits human health.

Effect of Superfine Grinding on the Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities of Mulberry Leaves

“…A similar trend was obtained for MLs2, but its content in polysaccharide had a little lower when compared with MLs1. These results were in correspondence with those previously reported [38]. As shown in Table 3, the content of polysaccharides showed MLs1.10 and MLs1.8 treated with SG increased considerably, with different significant value p<0.05 from 96.86 mg/g (D115) to 157.68 mg/g (D10).…”

Mulberry leaf polyphenols delay aging and regulate fat metabolism via the germline signaling pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…In China, mulberry leaves are also used in several traditional Chinese medicine formulas. Mulberry leaf and fruit extracts are reported to have beneficial effects on human health (Liang et al 2012;Lim et al 2013;Mudra et al 2007); however, their material substances and mechanisms of action have not been well studied. In this study, we found that MLP could delay aging using the short-lived nematode C. elegans.…”

“…Mulberry fruit, bark, roots, and leaves have been used as folk medicines in China. Mulberry leaf is an important ingredient in some traditional Chinese medicinal formulas and is considered to have high nutritional value and antioxidant activity, which could be developed for use in foods benefiting human health (Liang et al 2012). Combined extracts from mulberry fruits and leaves was demonstrated to improve obesity-related inflammation and oxidative stress resistance in obese mice (Lim et al 2013).…”

Foodomics for mulberry fruit (Morus spp.): Analytical fingerprint as antioxidants' and health properties' determination tool

“…However currently and especially due to its nutritive value, mulberry fruits are consumed as both fresh and processed products, such as juices, fruit salads and dried fruits (Calin- Sanchez et al, 2013). Recently, the production and consumption of mulberry fruits are rapidly increasing because of their aromatic taste, nutritional value, bioactive compound content and biological activities (Liang et al, 2012).…”

“…Thanks to these health-promoting compounds mulberry fruits are traditionally used as a worming agent and a laxative, odontalgic, anthelmintic, expectorant, hypoglycemic, and emetic agent; in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, mulberry fruit has been used as a folk remedy to treat oral and dental diseases, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and anemia (Liang et al, 2012).…”