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Cornus mas (L.) Fruit as a Potential Source of Natural Health-Promoting Compounds: Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Bioactive Components

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Abstract

Interest in new sources of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds has recently become a major research issue, with the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) receiving particular attention for its significant amounts of phenolic compounds and vitamins, which exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. This study was aimed at increasing knowledge regarding the cornelian cherry in Italy through the analysis of biologically active substances in the locally available genotype “Chieri”. Spectrophotometric methods were applied to evaluate antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin content and total polyphenolic content. Identification and quantification of the main phytochemical compounds (polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids and vitamin C) was performed via high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. C. mas extracts showed high levels of total soluble solids and low acidity. High amounts of phenolic secondary metabolites were observed, with particular reference to anthocyanins (134.71 mgC3G/100 gFW), which confer remarkable nutraceutical properties to the analysed samples. These results highlight the potential of C. mas fruits as a good source of natural antioxidants, suggesting their use as a functional food. Future studies should focus on identifying other specific phytochemical compounds and the genetic traits of local varieties in order to improve cornelian cherry cultivars for food and medicine production.

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Abbreviations

C3G:

cyanidin-3-O-glucoside

FRAP:

ferric reducing antioxidant power

FW:

fresh weight

GAE:

gallic acid equivalent

TA:

titratable acidity

TAC:

total anthocyanin content

TBCC:

total bioactive compound content

TPC:

total polyphenolic content

TSS:

total soluble solids

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco (TO), Italy

    Marta De Biaggi, Dario Donno, Maria Gabriella Mellano, Isidoro Riondato & Gabriele L. Beccaro

  2. Département de Biologie et Écologie Végétales, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 566, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar

    Ernest N. Rakotoniaina

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  1. Marta De Biaggi
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  2. Dario Donno
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  3. Maria Gabriella Mellano
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Correspondence to Marta De Biaggi.

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De Biaggi, M., Donno, D., Mellano, M.G. et al. Cornus mas (L.) Fruit as a Potential Source of Natural Health-Promoting Compounds: Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Bioactive Components. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 73, 89–94 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-018-0663-4

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