Phenotypic Characterization of a Wild-Type Population of Cornelian Cherries (Cornus mas L.) from Austria

Abstract

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) belongs to a group of fruit and nut species growing in Europe considered to be underused economically, although it has been recognized as a potential regional “superfood” and as a source of valuable bioactive compounds. Phenotyping fruits of 30 accessions of an Austrian wildtype population of C. mas allowed to evaluate their nutraceutical potential. Ten fruits per accession were characterized by morphological and morphometric approaches. Biochemical analyses were performed to determine the respective amounts of vitamin C, sugars, anthocyanins, iridoids and flavonoids. Both datasets were subjected to statistical analyses. Morphological and morphometric characterization and biochemical analyses enabled the identification of the individuals with the highest economic value. Statistical treatment of data identified the most significant principal components. The first phenotypic profiling of bioactive compounds of wildtype C. mas in Austria yielded a high variability. Dealing with wildtype plants, this is not surprising. However, our results allow to select among the Austrian C. mas accessions the most interesting individuals for further breeding of this alternative fruit with interesting nutritional values.

Health-Promoting Properties of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruits

“…Over 650 different anthocyanins have been isolated in plants with six possible aglycon structures (anthocyanidins) most frequently occurring in natural conditions: pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin [ 26 ]. Qualitative analyses of anthocyanins in cornelian cherry most often reveal the presence of cyanidin 3- O -galactoside [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], cyanidin 3- O -robinobioside [ 25 , 31 , 32 ], pelargonidin 3- O -galactoside [ 27 , 28 ], pelargonidin 3- O -robinobioside [ 25 , 31 ] and delphinidin 3- O -galactoside [ 29 , 33 ]. In addition, there are peonidin 3- O -glucoside [ 33 , 34 ] and petunidin 3- O -glucoside [ 31 , 33 ], with no reports of anthocyanins derived from malvidin ( Figure 2 ).…”

Use of Azerbaijan-grown berries to improve nutritional value and reduce toxic metals in soft drinks (including energy drinks)

“…Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system, vitamin K affects bone health, and vitamin A plays an important role in vision and skin health. Also, dogwood contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins and flavonoids that help protect cells from free radical damage (11) . The various flavonoids that dogwood berries contain vary depending on the variety and maturity of the fruit (12) : 1.…”

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytoprotective Effects of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruit Extracts

“…Thus, the ripe fruits were used to treat sore throats, gastrointestinal disorders, measles, chicken pox, anemia, rickets, fever, inflammation, skin disorders, tuberculosis, malaria, cancer, thermic fever, wounds, liver diseases such as hepatitis A and kidney diseases such as pyelonephritis and renal calculi [ 16 , 21 ]. In recent years, the effects of Cornus mas L. fruits have been the subject of numerous studies, which have revealed that they have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, antiproliferative, antiparasitic, antihyperlipidemic, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects [ 18 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”