Effects of ultrasound on the enzymatic degradation of pectin.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic maceration (UAEM) has gained considerable interest in the fruit juice industry, owing to its potential to increase juice yield and content of polyphenols while simultaneously saving time and energy. In this study, the effects of UAEM (ultrasonic probe, 20 kHz, 21 W*cm-2 and 33 W*cm-2) on pectin degradation in a continuous circulation system were investigated over 60 and 90 min. Main pectinolytic enzymes activities of (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectin methylesterase) of a commercial enzyme preparation were examined for individual synergistic effects with US. Pectin hydrolysis by UAEM differed significantly compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone regarding the profile of degradation products compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone. Ultrasound fragmented pectin to less branched oligomers of medium molecular weight (Mp approx. 150 kDa), which were further degraded by pectinolytic activities. The low molecular weight fraction (<30 kDa), which is known to be beneficial for juice-quality by adding nutritional value and stabilizing polyphenols, was enriched in small oligomers of homogalacturonan-derived, rhamnogalacturonan I-derived, and rhamnogalacturonan II-derived residues. Synergistic effects of ultrasound application enhanced the effective activities of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase and even prolonged their performance over 90 min, whereas the effective activity of pectin methylesterase was not affected. Final marker concentrations determined by each enzyme assay revealed a considerable higher total process output after UAEM treatment at reduced temperature (30 °C) comparable to the output after conventional batch maceration at 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of UAEM to produce high-quality juice by controlling pectin degradation while reducing process temperature and equally highlight the matrix and enzyme specific effects of a simultaneous US treatment.

Interactions of Anthocyanins with Pectin and Pectin Fragments in Model Solutions.

Anthocyanins determine the color and potential health-promoting properties of red fruit juices, but the juices contain remarkably less anthocyanins than the fruits, which is partly caused by the interactions of anthocyanins with the residues of cell wall polysaccharides like pectin. In this study, pectin was modified by ultrasound and enzyme treatments to residues of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides widely differing in their molecular weight. Modifications decreased viscosity and degrees of acetylation and methylation and released smooth and hairy region fragments. Native and modified pectin induced different effects on the concentrations of individual anthocyanins after short-term and long-term incubation caused by both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. Results indicate that both pectin and anthocyanin structure influence these interactions. Linear polymers generated by ultrasound formed insoluble anthocyanin complexes, whereas oligosaccharides produced by enzymes formed soluble complexes with protective properties. The structure of the anthocyanin aglycone apparently influenced interactions more than the sugar moiety.

Polyphenol-Protein-Polysaccharide Interactions in the Presence of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) in Wine-Like Model Systems.

Protein-polyphenol interactions play a very important role in wine stability assessment, especially in red varieties. Different polysaccharides can influence these interactions by protecting or disrupting charges and are even used as additives to stabilize colloidal solutions. The most common examples are mannoproteins and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In some cases, the mechanisms that are involved in these reactions are not thoroughly understood and can lead to unexpected problems and delayed haze formation after CMC addition to red wines. Small-scale bench trials were conducted in model systems under different pH conditions to monitor the formation of turbidity and protection mechanisms during the interaction of proteins, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. Egg-white protein was chosen as a protein model due to its complex composition, a commercial grape tannin extract was used as polyphenol source, and pectin, glucomannan, mannoprotein, alginate, and CMC were applied as polysaccharides to model various wine conditions. Reactions were monitored in duplicate on a 50 mL scale by spectrophotometry at 860 nm over at least 30 days. Some of the polysaccharides interacted directly with proteins or polyphenols causing precipitation. Other polysaccharides delayed the reaction between proteins and other macromolecules depending on their concentration. The results of these experiments provide important insights into reaction dynamics between macromolecules that are involved in the physical stability of wine.

Characterization of carotenoid profiles in goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruits at various ripening stages and in different plant tissues by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MSn.

Carotenoid profiles of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruits differing in ripening states and in different fruit fractions (peel, pulp, and calyx of ripe fruits) were investigated by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MSn. Out of the 53 carotenoids detected, 42 were tentatively identified. The carotenoid profile of unripe fruits is dominated by (all-E)-lutein (51%), whereas in ripe fruits, (all-E)-ß-carotene (55%) and several carotenoid fatty acid esters, especially lutein esters esterified with myristic and palmitic acid as monoesters or diesters, were found. In overripe fruits, carotenoid conversion products and a higher proportion of carotenoid monoesters to diesters compared to ripe fruits were observed. Overripe fruits showed a significant decrease in total carotenoids of about 31% due to degradation. The observed conversion and degradation processes included epoxidation, isomerization, and deesterification. The peel of ripe goldenberries showed a 2.8 times higher total carotenoid content of 332.00 µg/g dw compared to the pulp.

Profiling of iridoid glycosides in Vaccinium species by UHPLC-MS.

The iridoid profile of four Vaccinium species was investigated using UHPLC-MS to obtain further information about this group of species for phytochemical characterization. Fruits of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) showed 14 different iridoid glycosides with a total amount of 20mg/kg fresh weight (FW), whereas bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) contained 11 iridoid glycosides and a total amount of 127mg/kg FW. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium L.) contained none of the investigated iridoid glycosides. Among the different iridoids, the isomers scandoside and deacetylasperulosidic acid as well as a dihydro derivative thereof were described for the first time in the Ericaceae family. The p-coumaroyl isomers of scandoside, deacetylasperulosidic acid and dihydromonotropein are reported for the first time in V. myrtillus and V. uliginosum. Monotropein and its p-coumaroyl isomers were found for the first time in V. uliginosum. The comparison of iridoid profiles in bilberry fruit and juice samples revealed constant proportions throughout the juice processing. Quantification and profile determination of iridoids may be used for species differentiation and thus for authentication purposes.

Influence of Accelerated Solvent Extraction and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction on the Anthocyanin Profile of Different Vaccinium Species in the Context of Statistical Models for Authentication.

Anthocyanins are frequently discussed as marker compounds for fruit product authenticity. Proper analysis including sample preparation for the determination of anthocyanin concentrations is crucial for the comparability of authenticity data. The present study determined the influence of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), using two different solvent compositions on the anthocyanin profile of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.), and American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.). Besides differences in total anthocyanin concentrations in the extracts, significant deviations (p ≤ 0.05) in the individual anthocyanin concentration were observed, resulting in differing anthocyanin proportions. Linear discriminant analysis comparing the differences caused by the extraction method to the natural differences within a set of 26 bilberry and lowbush blueberry samples of different origins was conducted. It revealed that profile variations induced by the extraction methods are in a similar scale to profile variations as a result of geographic and climatic differences.

Structure elucidation of peonidin 3,7-o-ß-diglucoside isolated from Garnacha Tintorera (Vitis vinifera L.) grapes.

Red wines made from Garnacha Tintorera grapes (also known as Alicante Bouschet and one of the few so-called teinturier Vitis vinifera grape cultivars, because its berry flesh is also red-colored) are usually blended with other red wines as a natural way for enhancing the color intensity of red wines. The phenolic composition of Garnacha Tintorera grapes showed already described interesting features such as the occurrence of unusual anthocyanins (pelargonidin-based anthocyanins and a peonidin dihexoside) that had not been previously described in V. vinifera cultivars. The isolation and further structure elucidation (GC-MS analysis of sugar moieties, UV-vis, LC-MS(n), and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data) have allowed the identification of the aforementioned peonidin dihexoside as peonidin 3,7-ß-O-diglucoside. This peonidin derivative, in combination with the previously reported pelargonidin-type anthocyanins, can be suggested as a suitable chemical marker for this singular V. vinifera grape cultivar and the wines made totally or partially from this grape cultivar.