Effect of a Tart Cherry Juice Supplement on Arterial Stiffness and Inflammation in Healthy Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Tart cherries are a particularly rich source of anthocyanins. Evidence indicates that dietary intake of anthocyanins is inversely associated with arterial stiffness. We conducted an open-label randomised placebo controlled study to determine whether a tart cherry juice concentrate (Cherry Active®) reduced arterial stiffness, inflammation and risk markers for cardiovascular disease in 47 healthy adults (30–50 years). Participants consumed 30 ml of cherry concentrate diluted to a volume of 250 ml with water or the same volume of an energy matched control drink daily for six weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of the intervention. There was no effect of the intervention on arterial stiffness (P?=?0.218), c-reactive protein (P?=?0.220), systolic blood pressure (P?=?0.163), diastolic blood pressure (P?=?0.121), total cholesterol (P?=?0.342) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P?=?0.127). At the end of the intervention, plasma antioxidant capacity (measured as the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)) was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (P?=?0.012). We conclude that a tart cherry juice concentrate rich in anthocyanins has no effect on arterial stiffness, c-reactive protein and risk markers for cardiovascular disease, but evokes a minor increase in antioxidant status in healthy adults.     

Optimization of Hairy Root Induction in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis>

An efficient protocol for hairy root induction in Solanum tuberosum was established using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transformation of Desiree was more efficient than with Shepody or Purple Majesty. Transformation efficiency of Desiree tuber discs (97% transformation efficiency) was higher in comparison to root (67% transformation efficiency), stem (61% transformation efficiency) and leaf (14% transformation efficiency) explants. Bacterial density, culture parameters, explant type, and genotype influenced the transformation efficiency, as well as the growth of hairy roots. Hairy root transformation efficiency in explants treated with acetosyringone was enhanced from 72 to 89% in Purple Majesty tubers and 56 to 80% in roots during co-cultivation. The growth rate of hairy roots from tuber discs was about 5 times greater than that of hairy roots from leaves. Tuber hairy roots were highly resistant to kanamycin in the absence of NPT II. This study describes the efficient generation of hairy roots in different potato tissues and cultivars that can provide a fast method to generate transformed tissue or be used for production of secondary metabolites.     

Acute Effects of Pomegranate Extract on Postprandial Lipaemia, Vascular Function and Blood Pressure

We investigated whether a test drink enriched in pomegranate polyphenols, consumed with a high-fat meal, can reduce postprandial lipaemia and improve vascular function and blood pressure compared to placebo. Nineteen young, healthy men completed a randomized, controlled crossover trial. The active drink (containing a pomegranate extract) was consumed during a high-fat meal (ET-DUR) or 15 min before (ET-PRE), and the placebo drink (no pomegranate extract) was consumed during the high-fat meal (CONTROL). Postprandial lipaemia was assessed by venous plasma TAG 0–2 h, and capillary plasma TAG 0–4 h. Blood pressure and digital volume pulse, to measure reflection index (DVP-RI) and stiffness index (DVP-SI), were monitored at baseline, 2 and 4 h. There was no inhibition of postprandial lipaemia by the active drink compared to CONTROL. ET-PRE caused a greater increase in the venous plasma TAG at 2 h compared to CONTROL and ET-DUR (treatment effect P?=?0.001). The incremental area under the curve 0–4 h for capillary plasma TAG was not significantly different between treatments. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the ET-PRE and ET-DUR groups to a lesser extent than the CONTROL group (treatment effect P?=?0.041). There were no treatment effects for DVP-RI, DVP-SI or diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, the consumption of a single drink containing ET-rich pomegranate extract did not decrease postprandial plasma TAG concentrations, but suppressed the postprandial increase in SBP following the high-fat meal.     

Soft-rot Resistance of Coloured Potato Cultivars (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.): The Role of Anthocyanins

Coloured potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) rich in anthocyanins are gaining increasing interest on the markets, mainly due to beneficial health effects. Potato varieties containing colour pigments are therefore utilized more and more in actual breeding programmes. In this study, 10 purple-fleshed potato cultivars were compared in their resistance to soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum (Pc) with 10 white/yellow-fleshed potato cultivars. The results revealed that coloured potato cultivars exhibited on average better resistance to soft rot than white/yellow-fleshed potato cultivars. On tuber halves of purple-fleshed cultivars, the extent of rotting caused by Pc was on average 28.6% lower than on white/yellow-fleshed cultivars. The greater resistance of coloured potatoes coincided with the presence of anthocyanins, higher concentrations of soluble phenols and elevated polyphenol oxidase activity in tuber tissue. These three components were significantly correlated with the extent of rotting caused by Pc. However, coloured and white/yellow-fleshed cultivars were not very different in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase activity. There were also no significant differences in concentrations of dry matter, starch, crude protein and glycoalkaloids. Key findings reveal that total soluble phenols and anthocyanins contributed crucially to resistance expression in tuber tissue of coloured potato cultivars.     

Acute Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo Biloba</Emphasis> Extract on Vascular Function and Blood Pressure

We investigated whether a single dose of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) can improve vascular function. A randomised controlled crossover trial was conducted on 14 young healthy men, who received GBE or placebo. The digital volume pulse was monitored to measure reflection index (DVP-RI) and stiffness index (DVP-SI) and peripheral augmentation index (pAIx) was assessed using radial pulse wave analysis at baseline and 2, 4 and 6 h after treatment. DVP-SI was slightly higher 2 h following GBE compared to placebo (P < 0.05); other outcome variables were unaffected by treatment.     

‘黑美人’紫色马铃薯在浙南山区种植的表现及栽培技术

紫色马铃薯是一种集营养、保健、观赏于一身的彩色马铃薯新品种,除具有细腻香面的上佳品质、色泽鲜艳的独特外观之外,又富含维生素E、维生素C、淀粉等营养成分。它还含有一种功能独特,具有保健、药用价值的物质叫"花青素"。针对‘黑美人’紫色马铃薯在景宁当地种植过程中的生育期、抗逆性、经济效益等方面的表现,综合实施科学栽培,初步掌握了‘黑美人’紫色马铃薯在土壤选择、种薯处理、播种、田间管理、病虫害防治、收获等栽培技术要点。     

Phenolic content,anthocyanins and antiradical capacity of diverse purple bran rice genotypes as compared to other bran colors

Anthocyanins are flavonoids, a subgroup of phenolic compounds in bran of purple rice that have shown health benefits in animal studies and human clinical trials. We studied the genetic diversity of the concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins, and, antiradical capacity in diverse purple rice brans. More than 13-, 12-, 25- and 8-fold variations were found for these respective traits. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside were the major anthocyanins identified. The color parameter b* of whole grain rice was correlated with anthocyanins and can be used as a non-destructive quick screening tool. Purple brans that accumulated both anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins had the highest total phenolics, total flavonoids, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity among all color brans. Purple brans had the widest genotypic diversity of these chemical traits, followed by red, brown, light brown, and white. In terms of antioxidant properties of total flavonoid compounds in the sample extracts, purple and red brans had similar reducing capacity per unit of total flavonoids; while purple bran had higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity per unit of total flavonoids. In conclusion, new rice cultivars with colored bran having specific amounts and types of phenolic compounds can be developed using traditional breeding.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Antimutagenic Activity of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Extracts from Nixtamalized Pigmented Creole Maize Races (Zea mays L.)

Nixtamalization process is the first step to obtain maize based products, like tortillas; however, in both the traditional and commercial processes, white grain is generally preferred. Creole maize races, mainly pigmented varieties, have increasingly attention since these are rich in anthocyanins and carotenoids. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of rich anthocyanins and carotenoids extracts from creole maize races before (grain) and after (masa and tortilla) the nixtamalization process. Most anthocyanins and carotenoids were lost during nixtamalization. Before nixtamalization, blue and red genotypes contained either higher antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin contents (963?±?10.0 and 212.36?±?0.36 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside eq/100 g, respectively) than the white and yellow genotypes. However, the highest carotenoid levels were displayed by red grains (1.01?±?0.07 to 1.14?±?0.08 μg of β-carotene eq/g extract). Anthocyanins losses were observed when the blue grains were processed into masa (83 %) and tortillas (64 %). Anthocyanins content correlated with antiradical activity (r?=?0.57) and with 2-aminoanthracene -induced mutagenicity inhibition on TA98 and TA100 (r?=??0.62 and r?=??0.44, respectively). For white grains, nixtamalization also reduced carotenoids (53 to 56 %), but not antioxidant activity and 2-Aa-induced mutagenicity. Throughout the nixtamalization process steps, all the extracts showed antimutagenic activity against 2-aminoanthracene—induced mutagenicity (23 to 90 %), displaying higher potential to inhibit base changes mutations than frameshift mutations in the genome of the tasted microorganism (TA100 and TA98, respectively). The results suggest that even though there were pigment losses, creole maize pigments show antioxidant and antimutagenic activities after nixtamalization process.     

Variability of Phytonutrient Content of Potato in Relation to Growing Location and Cooking Method

Potato has a defined complement of metabolites that contribute to the human diet. Among these are the carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are found in all potatoes in the flesh. White-fleshed varieties have 50 to 100 μg per 100 g fresh weight (FW), while moderately yellow-fleshed varieties will generally possess from 100 to 350 μg per 100 g FW. The more intensely yellow-fleshed genotypes, which may look orange, at the higher extremes are at levels above 1,000 μg per 100 g FW. The highest level published is 2,600 μg per 100 g FW in diploid germplasm derived from South American Papa Amarilla cultivars. Potato generally has predominantly lutein, a xanthophyll which is also found in the human retina, and must be obtained in the diet. The genotypes with extremely high levels of total carotenoids have zeaxanthin, an isomer of lutein, which is also present in the human retina. Anthocyanins are present in red- or purple-skinned and fleshed varieties. Total anthocyanins range from 1.5 mg to 48 mg per 100 g FW in a solidly pigmented purple-skinned, purple-fleshed breeding line. The degree of pigmentation in the flesh appears to be under polygenic control. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. The level of total anthocyanins is correlated with antioxidant level (r?=?0.94, P?<?0.001). Several methods of cooking interacted with genotypes in the antioxidant level remaining after cooking compared to raw potatoes. No method of cooking completely eliminated antioxidant activity, while boiling appeared to increase it compared to raw potato in the case of the most highly pigmented clone.     

Blue Corn Tortillas: Effects on Learning and Spatial Memory in Rats

Consumption of pigmented corn has been associated with health benefits due to its flavonoid contents (mainly anthocyanins) and antioxidant ability. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of blue corn tortilla (BM) consumption on memory and learning ability adult rats. Eighteen adult female rats were divided into three groups and fed for 38 consecutive days with commercial food (Control group) or the commercial food plus 6 g/day of either blue corn (BM) or white corn (WM) tortillas. Memory and learning capabilities were assessed using Barnes’s labyrinth at the end of the feeding period. Short-and long-term memory was improved in the BM group, showing that consumption of blue maize tortillas improves learning and memory capabilities in adult rats.     

Tuber Resistance and Slow-Rotting Characteristics of Potato Clones Associated with the Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project to the US-24 Clonal Lineage of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis>

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease on potato worldwide and new lineages of the pathogen continue to develop in the U.S. Breeding for resistance is important for economic and environmental purposes. The Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project (SolCAP) focuses on linking allelic variation in genes to valuable traits in elite cultivated potato germplasm. This research assessed the SolCAP diversity panel (206 clones in Washington and 213 clones in Wisconsin) for tuber resistance to the US-24 clonal lineage of P. infestans after potatoes were harvested from fields in Washington and Wisconsin in 2011. This is the first time this germplasm has been evaluated for tuber resistance to P. infestans using a non-intrusive zoospore inoculation technique. Clones with a percent incidence of 30% or less were considered resistant and only eight clones (Palisade Russet, AWN86514–2, MSL268-D, MSM171-A, MSM182–1, MSN230-1RY, Patagonia and Yukon Gem) were characterized as resistant at both locations. These clones have previously demonstrated high to moderate partial foliar resistance to isolates of P.infestans and therefore represent germplasm with both foliar and tuber resistance. Nine clones (AWN86514–2, F66041, MN 18747, MSM 182–1, MSN230-1RY, Modoc, Ama-Rosa, Patagonia and Purple Majesty), were characterized as slow-rotting at both locations with a mean percent internal rot of 75% or less after 33 days of storage. Two clones, MN 18747 and Modoc, are considered to have the highest risk of being a carrier for P. infestans of all the clones evaluated in the SolCAP collection. Not a single clone demonstrated complete tuber resistance to the US-24 strain at both locations.     

Sensory Evaluation of Eleven Baked Russet-type Potato Varieties and Clones

Six hundred untrained panelists evaluated the baked sensory appeal of up to six varieties, three clones, and two Russet Norkotah (RN) strains. Panelists consumed small samples of plain baked potato and recorded their preference for aroma, flavor, texture, aftertaste and acceptance. After viewing photographs of two unidentified baked potatoes (RN and Classic Russet) sliced in half, they selected the photo that best described their visual preference of a baked potato; each potato was stored at 6.7 °C for 6 months prior to cooking. Eighty percent of panelists shown the photographs of the unidentified baked potatoes preferred the visual appearance of Classic R (white/cream - colored  flesh) to that of RN (yellow/Gy - colored flesh). Mean scores for all culinary traits averaged > 5.0 on the 1-9 scale, which indicated that panelists generally liked the culinary attributes of all trialed varieties, however, panelists were able to detect differences among varieties. Flavor and texture were addressed in written comments from panelists more frequently than other attributes. On a texture scale of 1–7, with 1 = moist/dense and 7 = dry/crumbly, most panelists preferred baked potatoes with a texture of 3 (creamy/smooth).     

In vitro Bioaccessibility of Lutein and Zeaxanthin of Yellow Fleshed Boiled Potatoes

Yellow fleshed potatoes contain significant amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin but the bioaccessibility of potato carotenoids has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to estimate the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids provided by potato. Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations of boiled, freeze dried and milled samples of seven yellow fleshed potato accessions were determined by HPLC before and after different steps (gastric, duodenal and micellar phase) of in vitro digestion. The gastric and duodenal digestive stability of lutein and zeaxanthin in boiled tubers of the different accessions ranged from 70 to 95 % while the efficiency of micellarization ranged from 33 to 71 % for lutein and from 51 to 71 % for zeaxanthin. For all accessions, amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin after micellarization were significantly lower than the original amount found in the boiled samples. The accession 701862 showed the highest bioaccessible lutein concentration (280 μg/100 g, FW) and the accessions 703566 and 704218 showed the highest bioaccessible zeaxanthin concentration (above 600 μg/100 g, FW). Considering the mean potato intake in the Andes (500 g per day), the accession 701862 provides 14 % of the lutein intake suggested for health benefits and the accessions 703566 and 704218 provide 50 % more than the suggested zeaxanthin intake.     

Breeding studies in potatoes containing high concentrations of anthocyanins

Studies of the breeding behavior of clones containing high levels of anthocyanins were conducted. Red-fleshed clones appeared in proportions suggesting multigenic control of degree of pigmentation. Red-fleshed and pur-ple-fleshed clones were always accompanied by red and purple skin, respectively. Red flesh ranged from partial pigmentation to complete pigmentation represented by pigment present in all tuber tissues. Percentage of com-pletely red-fleshed progeny was 14.5% and 4.1% in red x red crosses vs red × white (or the reciprocal), respectively. Purple-fleshed progeny were obtained from red x white crosses where the white-fleshed parent harbored theP pigment gene in juxtaposition with the nulliplex recessive state of theI gene (i.e.,iiii), which suppressed expression. Total anthocyanin ranged from 6.9 to 35 mg per 100 g fresh weight in the red-fleshed and 5.5 to 17.1 in the purple-fleshed clones. Red-fleshed clones contained predominantly acylated glycosides of pelargonidin while the purple-fleshed clones contained predominantly acylated glycosides of petunidin and peonidin. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and Ferrous Reducing Ability of Plasma revealed that the antioxidant levels in the red or purple-fleshed potatoes were two to three times higher than white-fleshed potato.     

Change in Some Glycoalkaloids of Potato under Different Storage Regimes

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food crop worldwide. Potato tubers can be stored to provide continuity of supply between production seasons, but it is important that they be stored under appropriate conditions as incorrect storage will result in deterioration in end user quality and may increase glycoalkaloid levels. We have investigated the effects of types of household storage on potato glycoalkaloid content (total glycoalkaloids [TGA]; α-solanine; α-chaconine) in Turkey. Tubers of potato cultivars (cvs.) Agria and Bettina were stored under four types of storage conditions (indirect sunlight for 10 h per day and dark storage for the remaining 14 h per day; storage under continuous fluorescent light; storage in constant darkness; storage in the dark in a refrigerator) for 56 days. Samples of tubers were taken at the beginning of the storage period and after 14, 28 and 56 days of storage for tuber glycoalkaloid measurement. Tubers stored in the three light environments showed an increase in glycoalkaloid levels; however, none of the cv. Agria tubers reached the critical level of 200 mg/kg tuber. On day 56 the TGA level of cv. Bettina tubers stored under fluorescent light reached 234.31 mg/kg.     

Chalcone synthase expression and pigments deposition in wheat with purple and blue colored caryopsis

Red and white caryopses are typical in common wheat. Genotypes with purple and blue caryopses are also described. This coloring is caused by anthocyanins which deposit in the pericarp (purple) or aleurone layer (blue). The anthocyanins biosynthetic pathway is well described. The key enzyme is chalcone synthase (CHS). It catalyzes the first step. We observed the deposition of anthocyanins in the pericarp and aleurone layer, the expression of a chalcone synthase gene and the amount of two anthocyanins - cyanidin-3-glycoside (pericarp of purple caryopses), and delphinidin-3-glycoside (aleurone layer of blue caryopses) during caryopsis development. Purple pigment deposition was not homogeneous and/or uniform. At first, small isolated spots of purple color were formed and thereafter they expanded. In blue caryopses, however, the coloring process was more homogeneous. The expression of chalcone synthase mRNA occurred five days before pigment deposition and finished earlier than expected. Amounts of cyanidin-3-glycoside and delphinidin-3-glycoside increased in a similar manner. Amounts of these fell at the end of caryopses development probably due to formation of more complex substances.     

A detached-leaf method to evaluate late blight resistance in potato and tomato

We developed a detached leaf method for evaluating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) germplasm for reactions toPhytophthora infestans, the causal organism of late blight. Primary leaves from the third to the sixth node of potato plants, and the fourth to sixth node of tomato plants were excised at the stem. Their petioles were inserted into 14 mm × 100 mm floral aqua tubes containing 9 ml of sterilized distilled water. The leaves in the aqua tubes were placed with abaxial sides down on galvanized metal hardware cloth (12.5 × 12.5 mm mesh). A 12.5 mm sensi-disc containing 50μl of 2 × 10⁴ zoospores was placed in the centers of the terminal leaflet and the second leaflet pair of the potato leaf. A single disc was placed on the center of the tomato leaf. The supporting hardware cloth was placed 2.5 cm above distilled water (2.5 cm deep) in 31 cm × 17 cm × 8 cm clear plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Leaves on intact tomato and potato plants were inoculated in a similar manner and placed in a mist chamber. Lesion growth was determined 4, 5, and 6 days following inoculation. There were no significant differences in reactions to isolates ofP. infestans on detached and intact leaves of potato cultivars Green Mountain and Kennebec and the tomato cultivar Bonnie Best.     

Recovery of Protease Inhibitors from Potato Fruit Water by Expanded Bed Adsorption Chromatography in Pilot Scale

The current study was conducted to investigate the recovery of native potato protein from potato fruit water (PFW) by expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography. The eluted proteins were concentrated by ultrafiltration and spray-dried into powder. The SDS-PAGE showed that the recovered proteins were potato protease inhibitors (PPIs). The trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities of the recovered PPIs were 377.93 ± 8.22 and 12.90 ± 0.03 mg g^?1 protein, respectively. The recovery yield of protease inhibitors was 74.88%. The glycoalkaloid assay showed that the recovered PPIs contained 30.31 ± 0.15 μg g^?1 of α-chaconine and 92.77 ± 0.52 μg g^?1 of α-solanine, and these values were much lower than those in potato protein concentrate (PPC) obtained by traditional thermal coagulation. The most abundant amino acid in the PPIs was serine. The results indicated that the EBA can be used to effectively recover native potato protein from PFW.     

Anti-hyperglycemic Effect of Bilberry, Blackberry and Mulberry Ultrasonic Extracts on Diabetic Rats

Small fruits like bilberry, blackberry and mulberry are rich sources of anthocyanins and other phenols, compounds with a certified antioxidant activity and spectacular effects in some chronic diseases. Romanian bilberry, blackberry and mulberry extracts were tested as anti-hyperglycemic agents on diabetic rats. Anthocyanins extraction was carried out with 80 % acidified ethanol in ultrasonically conditions at 23?±?2 °C and 40 kHz. Monomeric anthocyanins content was determined by pH differential method and varied between 1200 and 2800 mg/L. The analyses of anthocyanins were achieved using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Phenolics content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and values varied between 2320 and 4250 mg/L gallic acid. Antioxidant activities of extracts were estimated by DPPH scavenging method and the values varied between 8 and 16 miliequivalents Trolox. In order to evaluate the toxicology of the extracts, the heavy metals concentration and pesticides content were analyzed. The extracts were administrated to diabetic rats in drinking water for five weeks. The administration of bilberry extract offered no satisfactory results. Treatment with blackberry extract determined a significant decrease of glucose level from 360 to about 270 mg/dL (p?<?0.05). The mulberry extract administration determined a significant decrease of glucose level from 252 mg/dL at the start day to 155 mg/dL at the final of experiment (p?<?0.05).     

Changing Phenology of Potato and of the Treatment for its Major Pest (Colorado Potato Beetle) – A Long-term Analysis

Potato Solanum tuberosum is one of the world’s four most important crops. Its cultivation is steadily increasing in response to the need to feed a growing world population. The yield of potato is influenced inter alia by both climate and pests. The main defoliator pest of potato is Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Using data from a long-term experiment (1958–2013) in western Poland, we show that increasing temperature has affected the trophic relationship between potato and Colorado potato beetle. The planting, leafing, flowering and harvest dates for potato were advanced, after controlling for different cultivars, by 2.00 days, 3.04 days, 3.80 days and 3.42 days respectively for every 1 °C increase in temperature. In contrast, first treatment against Colorado potato beetle advanced by 4.66 days for every 1 °C increase in temperature, and, furthermore, the number of treatments against the beetle increased by 0.204 per 1 °C increase in temperature. This suggests that the beetle responds faster to increasing temperature than the plant does, but both parts of the system are probably greatly modified by farming practices.