Physico-chemical properties and nutritional composition of fruits of the wild Himalayan strawberry (Fragaria nubicola Lindle.) in different ripening stages

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Genus Fragaria (family - Rosaceae), popular edible berry fruits with delicious flavor and considerable health benefits has many wild relatives in the Himalayan region. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to characterize variability in morphology, physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity in wild Himalayan Strawberry, Fragaria nubicola along the ripening stages and among the genotypes. METHOD: Morphological and physicochemical properties, thiamine, carotenes, total phenolic content, phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) were determined in four ripening stages of berry fruits. RESULTS: Morphological attributes (diameter, length, volume, and fresh weight of berries) have shown considerable variations among the genotypes and increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the ripening stages. The physicochemical properties such as juice content, pH and moisture content also increased with the ripening, however, the pomace content decreased with the ripening. Anthocyanin content increased significantly (p < 0.05) with ripening and reached at maximum level after full ripening. A successive decrease in free and bounded total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol contents was observed with the ripening except in total tannin content. However, a reverse trend of these phenolics was observed in juice along with the ripening. The antioxidant activity measured by three in vitro assays increased with the ripening. Phenolics were extracted higher in the acidified methanolic solvent (extracted free and bounded phenolics) as compared to methanolic solvent (extracted free phenolics). Phenolic compounds quantified by RP-HPCL analysis were extracted higher in acidified methanol as compared to methanol, except chlorogenic acid content. CONCLUSION: The results showed quantitative changes in free and bounded phenolics and morphological and functional traits along with the ripening. Also, this important genetic resource exhibited potential utility in the breeding of strawberry improvement programs and as an alternative resource of rich phytonutrients and antioxidants as a functional food.

Screening of Monoamine Oxidase B Inhibitors from Fragaria nubicola by Ligand Fishing and Their Neuroprotective Effects

“…Method Validation of Ligand Fishing. Two noninhibitors including methyl 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4,6-dihydroxyphenylacetate (3) and 2-O-(3-methoxyl-4,5-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4-hydroxy-6-O-β-Dglucopyranosyl-phenylacetic acid (4) and two MAO-B inhibitors including safinamide (5) and curcumin (6) were selected to construct a standard mixture, and the concentration of each compound was 0.05 mg/mL. The procedure for ligand fishing was the same as described in the "Ligand Fishing of F. nubicola Extract" section.…”

“…2,3 Its fruit is sweet and fragrant and is often picked and sold by local kids along the streets. 4 Tibetan strawberry is a healthy food for a supplement of vitamins, beneficial phenolics, and antioxidants 5,6 and is also considered to be able to reduce neurological disorders, inflammation, and diarrhea. 4,6 It is one of the major ingredients of the famous Tibetan medicine "Twenty-five Pearl Pills" for management of central nervous system disorders.…”

“…Tibetan strawberry is a healthy food for a supplement of vitamins, beneficial phenolics, and antioxidants , and is also considered to be able to reduce neurological disorders, inflammation, and diarrhea. , It is one of the major ingredients of the famous Tibetan medicine “Twenty-five Pearl Pills” for management of central nervous system disorders . The extract of this plant was reported to possess various biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-neurodegenerative effects .…”

Effects of Different Irrigation Rates on Remontant Strawberry Cultivars Grown in Soil

“…has garnered much interest because of its various features [1]. Consumers appreciate this fruit because of the color, shape, taste, and nutritional properties of the berry [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. However, the current changes in the climate, leading to extreme weather conditions, for example, drought [10], have increased the stress on the plant, leading to uncertainty in the strawberry market.…”

Application of Near Infrared Spectroscopy for the Rapid Assessment of Nutritional Quality of Different Strawberry Cultivars

“…Extensive scientific research has confirmed that strawberries contain bioactive substances with potent antioxidant properties, such as ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds (ellagic acid and ferulic acid), as well as various flavonoids (such as anthocyanins, catechins, and phenolic acids). These compounds have nutraceutical effects, meaning they offer beneficial and protective properties for the human body [7][8][9].…”