Study of amine composition of botrytized grape berries

Aliphatic primary and biogenic amines of grape varieties from two vintages were studied. We established that appearance and/or increase of both primary aliphatic and biogenic amines is due to microbiota living in/on grape berries. Aszú, gray rotten grapes infected mainly with Botrytis cinerea, grape berries infected mainly with Penicillium species, and intact grape berries were compared on the basis of amine composition using t-test, analysis of variance, and multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis). The amine composition and amine content of Aszú grapes were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those of intact grapes despite the effect of the vineyards and the vintages. Grape samples coming from the same growing location, intact, Aszú grapes, and grape berries infected mainly with Penicillium species could be separated from each other with multivariate statistical analysis. We distinguished intact, Aszú (noble rotten), and gray rotten berries from each other as well. Evaluating amine values of grape samples independently of the place of origin, the Aszú and green rotten berries could not be differentiated. The varieties and vineyards have affected the amine composition of Aszú grapes, while these effects on intact grapes appeared only slightly.     

转色期BTH诱抗改变霞多丽葡萄果实理化品质和香气构成

为探讨苯并噻二唑(benzothiazole,BTH)转色期诱抗处理对葡萄果实理化和香气品质的影响,该研究以酿酒葡萄‘霞多丽’为试材,果实转色50%时对植株喷施50 mg/L的诱抗剂BTH,分析比较成熟葡萄果实的理化和香气品质指标。结果表明：与对照相比,转色期BTH诱抗处理可显著增加8.31%的葡萄果皮/浆果比例(P<0.05);极显著增加果实百粒质量、可溶性固形物和还原糖,分别较对照吐温80水溶液处理增加了4.64%、6.67%和8.63%(P<0.01)。但BTH处理会降低总类胡萝卜素、叶绿素和可滴定酸的含量。同时,BTH诱抗减少了果实中游离态C₆/C₉、芳香族、支链脂肪族和降异戊二烯香气组分的积累,降低比例在16.65%～31.77%之间;BTH促进了游离态直链脂肪族和萜烯类以及结合态C₆/C₉、直链脂肪族、芳香族、萜烯类和降异戊二烯香气组分在果实中的积累,增加比例在4.22%～60.12%之间。综上可见,转色期BTH诱抗处理可通过增加果皮/浆果比例、可溶性固形物和还原糖含量改善‘...     

Improvement of the composition of Tunisian myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.) alcohol extracts

Different extracts from myrtle berries were obtained using alcohol-water mixtures as an extraction medium in the range of 60-90% (v/v) to study the extraction efficiency in the preparation of myrtle liqueur. Flavonoids and anthocyanins were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry and quantified during the maceration period by HPLC coupled with ultraviolet/visible detection. The antioxidant activity was tested by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. Dry matter, pH, and color parameters (L, a, b) were also analyzed. At the end of the maceration period, EE80 showed better anthocyanins stability and the highest total antioxidant activity (87.5%). These results suggest that the use of ethanol 80% provides the extract with the best characteristics for liqueur preparation. The present study contributes significantly to increase the marketing appeal of myrtle berries.     

Phytochemical composition and metabolic performance-enhancing activity of dietary berries traditionally used by Native North Americans

Four wild berry species, Amelanchier alnifolia, Viburnum trilobum, Prunus virginiana, and Shepherdia argentea, all integral to the traditional subsistence diet of Native American tribal communities, were evaluated to elucidate phytochemical composition and bioactive properties related to performance and human health. Biological activity was screened using a range of bioassays that assessed the potential for these little-known dietary berries to affect diabetic microvascular complications, hyperglycemia, pro-inflammatory gene expression, and metabolic syndrome symptoms. Nonpolar constituents from berries, including carotenoids, were potent inhibitors of aldose reductase (an enzyme involved in the etiology of diabetic microvascular complications), whereas the polar constituents, mainly phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, were hypoglycemic agents and strong inhibitors of IL-1beta and COX-2 gene expression. Berry samples also showed the ability to modulate lipid metabolism and energy expenditure in a manner consistent with improving metabolic syndrome. The results demonstrate that these berries traditionally consumed by tribal cultures contain a rich array of phytochemicals that have the capacity to promote health and protect against chronic diseases, such as diabetes.     

Anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of the Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and other berries

The anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of the crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum) were studied. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with a diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were used for identification and quantification of individual anthocyanins. Freeze-dried crowberry powder was extracted with 80% methanol containing 0.5% acetic acid and subjected to HPLC. Thirteen kinds of anthocyanins were identified. The major anthocyanins were cyanidin-3-galactoside and delphinidin-3-galactoside, at 8.04 and 8.62 mg/g extract, respectively. The HPLC profile of crowberry extract was similar to bilberry and blueberry. The total content of anthocyanins in crowberry was 41.8 mg/g extract, higher than the other nine major berry species (2.5-38.8 mg/g extract). The antioxidant activity was also evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical quenching assays and the ferric reducing activity power assy. Crowberry extract exerted the strongest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, individual anthocyanins in crowberry were identified and then quantified in this study. Additionally, crowberry is suggested to be associated with a reduction in the risk of developing chronic diseases because of its strong antioxidant activity.     

Chemical composition of the essential oils of Juniperus from ripe and unripe berries and leaves and their antimicrobial activity

The composition of the essential oil from ripe and unripe berries and leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus L. ssp. oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea ssp. turbinata and Juniperus communis ssp. communis was analyzed by GC-MS, and microbiological assays were carried out. Samples were collected in different localities (Sardinia, Italy) and hydro distilled. The yields ranged between 2.54% +/- 0.21 (v\w dried weight) and 0.04% +/- 0.00. A total of 36 components were identified. The major compounds in the essential oils were alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, myrcene, beta-phellandrene, limonene, and D-germacrene. Both qualitative and quantitative differences between species and between different parts of the plant were observed. The essential oils and their major compounds were tested against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined. The results obtained led to a nonsignificant inhibitory effect, although all the essential oils from Juniperus phoenicea ssp. turbinata and the essential oil from leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus exhibited rather good or weak activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Acid- and base titration behaviour of finnish mineral soils

The acid- and base-buffering properties of 84 non-calcareous surface soil samples were studied by batch titration with HCI or KOH at a constant ionic strength of I = 0.1. The soil samples were classified according to their pH of zero point of titration (ZPT). Differential buffer values, dB(H) or dB(OH) (H⁺ or OH^? as meq kg^?1 needed to reduce or increase the soil pH sequentially by 0.5 units, respectively), were introduced to describe the course of titration curve and the intensity of buffer action. In all soils, the first acid-buffer value, dB(H)_0→0.5, varied from 8 to 78 meq kg^?1 and the second one, dB(H)_0.5→1, from 10 to 138 meq kg^?1. The corresponding base-buffer values, dB(OH)_0→0.5 and dB(OH)_0.5→1, ranged from 10 to 48 and from 14 to 44 meq kg^?1, respectively. The most acid soils were most strongly buffered against acid, and the soils with the highest initial pH against base. The results reveal the acid-buffering by exchange reactions to be very important. In the soils with ZPT≦5.4, the first acid-buffer value was dependent on the content of organic matter and oxalate-soluble Al, whereas in the more acid soils the role of clay became significant. Thus, it was concluded that at higher pHs the foremost inactivation of H⁺ is attributable to soil components of pH-dependent charges, and the significance of constituents of permanent charges to increase with proceeding acidification. In strongly acid soils (ZPT≦4.8) the very effective buffering seemed to be primarily due to the dissolution of Al-hydroxides and, thus, to exert detrimental effects on the edaphic environment. The general rank of soil factors explaining the variation in the base-buffer values was in accord with the neutralization sequence, i.e. the strongest acid in the soil being neutralized first. In the strongly acid soils (ZPT≦4.8) the base-buffer values seemed to depend on the clay as well as KCl- and NH₄OAc-extractable Al, whereas in the soils with higher initial pH mostly on organic C.     

Phenolic acid profiles in some small berries

The composition of phenolic acids in several small berries grown in Northeastern Poland, namely, low-bush blueberries, black mulberries, European juneberries, black currants, fruits of blue-berried honeysuckle, and blackberries, was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). The total content of phenolic acids, identified by GC-MS, ranged from 2845.8 +/- 141.0 (black mulberries) to 5418.2 +/- 228.0 (blue-berried honeysuckle). Twenty phenolic acids were identified in the berries. Of these, hydroxycaffeic, m- and p-coumaric, and 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acids were the major phenolic acids in blackberries and blueberries, m-coumaric acid was the major phenolic acid in blue-berried honeysuckle and black currant fruits, while salicylic, caffeic, and m- and p-coumaric acids were the predominant phenolic acids in European juneberries. Syringic and veratric acids were detected only in blueberries, while p-hydroxybenzoic and sinapic acids were present only in black currants and o-coumaric acid was present in blueberries and black mulberries. The phenolic acids liberated from esters and glycosidic bonds were the major fractions of phenolic acids in the berries.     

Identification of anthocyanins in Rhamnus alaternus L. berries

Anthocyanin composition in berries of Rhamnus alaternus L., a perennial wild shrub typical of the Mediterranean area, was determined for the first time. The pigments were extracted from the berries with 0.1% HCl in methanol and purified using a C-18 solid-phase cartridge. High-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection-mass spectrometry analysis showed that delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside represented about 62.4% of the total pigments. Other anthocyanins were 3-O-rutinoside derivatives of cyanidin (8.4%), petunidin (15.8%), pelargonidin (4.7%), and peonidin and malvidin (8.7%). The concomitant presence of the six most common anthocyanidins suggested that R. alaternus berries, besides being a good pigment source, could also be a useful tool for anthocyanin identification.     

Determination of anthocyanins in Ruscus aculeatus L. berries

Red berries of Ruscus aculeatus L., a wild shrub typical of Mediterranean Europe and Africa, were investigated for the first time in order to determine the profile of anthocyanins. The pigments were extracted from the skins of the berries with 0.1% HCl in methanol, purified using a C-18 solid phase cartridge, and identified by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection-mass spectrometry analysis. Information from HPLC profiles, saponification, and acid hydrolysis of the anthocyanins showed that the major anthocyanins were pelargonidin 3-O-rutinoside (64%), pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside (16%), and pelargonidin 3-O-trans-p-coumarylglucoside (13%). The attractive color of R. aculeatus berries and the great abundance of the plant in the south of Italy make these berries a new and promising source of natural colorants.     

葡萄果实和葡萄酒中缩合单宁的研究进展

缩合单宁是葡萄与葡萄酒中重要的组分之一,它影响着葡萄酒的色泽、风味、稳定性和贮藏寿命,与人的健康也有密切关系;该文介绍了缩合单宁的作用、结构及其与原花色素的关系,葡萄与葡萄酒中缩合单宁的存在形式及其在葡萄果实成熟和葡萄酒酿造过程中的变化和对葡萄酒口感的影响及缩合单宁的生物合成等方面的研究进展,提出了今后的研究方向.     

Accumulation of aluminum inHypogymnia physodes in the surroundings of a finnish sulphite-cellulose factory

Atomic absorption analyses were performed on an epiphytic lichenHypogymnia physodes growing at different distances from a sulphite-cellulose and paper plant in Mänttä, southern Finland. Lichen samples were taken from the bark of pine, birch and spruce. The mean Al-content of the lichen was 3-fold and 7.5-fold higher than those in other studies in southern and northern Finland. The accumulation of Al mainly orginated from the dust emission of the pulp and paper mill and its power plant which were the biggest single source of dust pollutants in Finland. Road dust and other local sources also increase Al-content of the lichens. Fe-concentrations ofHphysodes correlated with those of Al. Hg- and Cu-levels were also slightly elevated. Zn was at about the same and Cd at an even lower level than afore mentioned background values. With Zn, the contents were higher in lichens growing on birch than on coniferous trees.     

Chemical composition and protein quality comparisons of soybeans and soybean meals from five leading soybean-producing countries

Soybeans (SBs) were obtained from five leading SB-producing countries (Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and the United States), imported to the United States, and processed into soybean meal (SBM) under uniform conditions in the United States. SBs from China had the highest crude protein (CP) content while SBs and the resultant SBM from Argentina had the lowest. Additional differences in the quality of the SB and resultant SBM samples collected were noted. An additional set of SBM produced in these five countries and subjectively evaluated to be of low, intermediate, and high quality also were obtained and evaluated. Overall, SBM quality affected amino acid and mineral concentrations with differences existing both among and within countries. SBM produced in the United States had a higher CP content than SBM produced in other countries. Amino acid concentrations generally increased, and antinutritional factors decreased with increasing subjective quality assessment.     

Microclimate influence on mineral and metabolic profiles of grape berries

The grape berry microclimate is known to influence berry quality. The effects of the light exposure of grape berry clusters on the composition of berry tissues were studied on the "Merlot" variety grown in a vineyard in Bordeaux, France. The light exposure of the fruiting zone was modified using different intensities of leaf removal, cluster position relative to azimuth, and berry position in the cluster. Light exposures were identified and classified by in situ measurements of berry temperatures. Berries were sampled at maturity (>19 Brix) for determination of skin and/or pulp chemical and metabolic profiles based on (1) chemical and physicochemical measurement of minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), (2) untargeted 1H NMR metabolic fingerprints, and HPLC targeted analyses of (3) amino acids and (4) phenolics. Each profile defined by partial least-square discriminant analysis allowed us to discriminate berries from different light exposure. Discriminant compounds between shaded and light-exposed berries were quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, myricetin-3-glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside for the phenolics, histidine, valine, GABA, alanine, and arginine for the amino acids, and malate for the organic acids. Capacities of the different profiling techniques to discriminate berries were compared. Although the proportion of explained variance from the 1H NMR fingerprint was lower compared to that of chemical measurements, NMR spectroscopy allowed us to identify lit and shaded berries. Light exposure of berries increased the skin and pulp flavonols, histidine and valine contents, and reduced the organic acids, GABA, and alanine contents. All the targeted and nontargeted analytical data sets used made it possible to discriminate sun-exposed and shaded berries. The skin phenolics pattern was the most discriminating and allowed us to sort sun from shade berries. These metabolite classes can be used to qualify berries collected in an undetermined environment. The physiological significance of light and temperature effects on berry composition is discussed.     

Resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol in vaccinium berries

A study was conducted to determine the presence of resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol in Vaccinium berries. Samples representing selections and cultivars of 10 species from Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, and Canada were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Resveratrol was found in Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry), Vaccinium arboretum (sparkleberry), Vaccinium ashei (rabbiteye blueberry), Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry), Vaccinium elliottii (Elliott's blueberry), Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry), Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry), Vaccinium stamineum (deerberry), Vaccinium vitis-ideae var. vitis-ideae (lingonberry), and Vaccinium vitis-ideae var. minor (partridgeberry) at levels between 7 and 5884 ng/g dry sample. Lingonberry was found to have the highest content, 5884 ng/g dry sample, comparable to that found in grapes, 6471 ng/g dry sample. Pterostilbene was found in two cultivars of V. ashei and in V. stamineum at levels of 99-520 ng/g dry sample. Piceatannol was found in V. corymbosum and V. stamineum at levels of 138-422 ng/g dry sample. These naturally occurring stilbenes, known to be strong antioxidants and to have cancer chemopreventive activities, will add to the purported health benefits derived from the consumption of these small fruits.     

Phenolic acids in berries, fruits, and beverages

The contents of soluble and total phenolic acids were analyzed in samples of 29 berries and berry products, 24 fruits and fruit peels, and 12 beverages. Variation of phenolic acids in berries was also studied. Soluble phenolic acids were extracted with methanolic acetic acid, and a tentative quantification was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total phenolic acid content was determined by HPLC after alkaline and acid hydrolyses. The content of total phenolic acids as aglycones in the above samples varied from 0 (pear cider) to 103 mg/100 g fresh weight (rowanberry). Besides rowanberry, the best phenolic acid sources among berries were chokeberry (96 mg/100 g), blueberry (85 mg/100 g), sweet rowanberry (75 mg/100 g), and saskatoon berry (59 mg/100 g). Among fruits, the highest contents (28 mg/100 g) were determined in dark plum, cherry, and one apple variety (Valkea Kuulas). Coffee (97 mg/100 g) as well as green and black teas (30-36 mg/100 g) were the best sources among beverages. Caffeic acid dominated in all of these samples except in tea brews. Variation in the phenolic acid contents of the berries was either small or moderate.     

Volatile composition of coffee berries at different stages of ripeness and their possible attraction to the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The analysis of volatile emissions of coffee berries in different physiological states of ripeness was performed using dynamic headspace and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis for Coffea arabica, var. Colombia. The composition of the volatiles emitted by coffee berries is dominated by very high levels of alcohols, mainly ethanol, in all stages of ripeness in comparison with other compounds. Overripe coffee berries have high volatile emissions and show a composition dominated mainly by esters followed by alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes. The lowest level compounds were monoterpenes. 2-Methyl furan was detected in various ripening stages; this compound has not been previously reported as a coffee berry volatile. The presence of ethanol and other alcohols in the volatile composition might explain the effectiveness of using traps with mixed alcohols for detection and capture of coffee berry borers.     

Selected odor compounds in soymilk as affected by chemical composition and lipoxygenases in five soybean materials

Protein, fat content, and beany odor affect consumers' choice of soy foods. Our objective was to characterize protein, lipid, and lipoxygenase activities and fatty acid compositions in food soybeans and to determine how chemical composition and enzyme activities related to the generation of beany odor components, including hexanal, hexanol, trans-2-nonenal, 1-octen-3-ol, and trans-2,trans-4-decadienal in soymilk. Protein, lipid, and fatty acid compositions and lipoxygenase activities of five soybean materials, including Proto, IA2032, IA 2064, IA3017, and L-Star varieties, were analyzed. Soymilk was prepared by a traditional method involving soaking, grinding, and cooking processes. Selected odor compounds in raw and cooked soymilk were analyzed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography. Results showed that soybeans differed in crude protein and lipid content, lipoxygenase activities, and fatty acid compositions. L-Star had the highest and Proto the lowest lipid content among the five soybean cultivars. Protein content, lipoxygenases, and linoleic acid were positively correlated with beany odor content in soymilk made from the selected soybean materials. After boiling for 20 min, the soymilk made from L-Star and IA2032 retained the lowest odor profiles among the soymilk products made from the five selected materials.