Changes in the expression of genes encoding xanthophyl acyltransferases during the postharvest ripening of avocado (Persea americana) fruit.

BACKGROUND: Avocado fruit is rich in xanthophylls, which have been related to positive effects on human health. Xanthophyl acetyltransferases (XATs) are enzymes catalyzing the esterification of carboxylic acids to the hydroxyl group of the xanthophyll molecule. This esterification is thought to increase the lipophilic nature of the xanthophyll and its stability in a lipophilic environment. Studies on XATs in fruits are very scarce, and no studies had been carried out in avocado fruit during postharvest. The objective of this work was to investigate the changes in the expression of genes encoding XAT, during avocado fruit ripening. RESULTS: Avocado fruits were obtained from a local market and stored at 15 °C for 8 days. The fruit respiration rate, ethylene production, and fruit peel's color space parameters (L*, a*, b*) were measured during storage. Fruit mesocarp samples were taken after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage and frozen with liquid nitrogen. Total RNA was extracted from fruit mesocarp, and the quantification of the two genes designated as COGE_ID: 936743791 and COGE_ID: 936800185 encoding XATs was performed with real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using actin as a reference gene. The presence of a climacteric peak and large changes in color were recorded during postharvest. The two genes studied showed a large expression after 3 days of fruit storage. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that during the last stages of ripening in avocado fruit there was an active esterification of xanthophylls with carboxylic acids, which suggests the presence of esterified xanthophylls in the fruit mesocarp. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Avocado oil: Production and market demand, bioactive components, implications in health, and tendencies and potential uses.

Avocado is a subtropical/tropical fruit with creamy texture, peculiar flavor, and high nutritional value. Due to its high oil content, a significant quantity of avocado fruit is used for the production of oil using different methods. Avocado oil is rich in lipid-soluble bioactive compounds, but their content depends on different factors. Several phytochemicals in the oil have been linked to prevention of cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and cardiovascular diseases and therefore have generated an increase in consumer demand for avocado oil. The aim of this review is to critically and systematically analyze the worldwide production and commercialization of avocado oil, its extraction methods, changes in its fat-soluble phytochemical content, health benefits, and new trends and applications. There is a lack of information on the production and commercialization of the different types of avocado oil, but there are abundant data on extraction methods using solvents, centrifugation-assisted aqueous extraction, mechanical extraction by cold pressing (varying concentration and type of enzymes, temperature and time of reaction, and dilution ratio), ultrasound-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid to enhance the yield and quality of oil. Extensive information is available on the content of fatty acids, although it is limited on carotenoids and chlorophylls. The effect of avocado oil on cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases has been demonstrated through in vitro and animal studies, but not in humans. Avocado oil continues to be of interest to the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries and is also generating increased attention in other areas including structured lipids, nanotechnology, and environmental care.

Postharvest melatonin treatment reduces chilling injury in sapota fruit.

BACKGROUND: Sapota is a popular tropical fruit characterized by a very short postharvest life. Low-temperature storage prolongs postharvest life of sapota fruit, but chilling injury symptoms can develop if the storage temperature is less than 14 °C. There have been no reports on the effects of postharvest melatonin application on the development of chilling injury in sapota fruit during cold storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of postharvest melatonin application (0, 30, 60 and 90 µmol L-1 ) during cold storage (8 °C) for up to 30 days with an additional 1-day shelf life at ambient temperature. RESULTS: All melatonin treatments reduced chilling injury symptoms, reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, H2 O2 and superoxide anion (O2 - ), and increased proline content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and reduced the activities of phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Postharvest melatonin treatment could be a useful strategy for reducing chilling injury during cold storage and transport of sapota fruit. The results indicate that melatonin reduces chilling injury of sapota fruit through maintaining membrane integrity, SOD and CAT activities, and reducing PLD and LOX activities. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fruit and Vegetable Waste: Bioactive Compounds, Their Extraction, and Possible Utilization.

Fruits and vegetables are the most utilized commodities among all horticultural crops. They are consumed raw, minimally processed, as well as processed, due to their nutrients and health-promoting compounds. With the growing population and changing diet habits, the production and processing of horticultural crops, especially fruits and vegetables, have increased very significantly to fulfill the increasing demands. Significant losses and waste in the fresh and processing industries are becoming a serious nutritional, economical, and environmental problem. For example, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that losses and waste in fruits and vegetables are the highest among all types of foods, and may reach up to 60%. The processing operations of fruits and vegetables produce significant wastes of by-products, which constitute about 25% to 30% of a whole commodity group. The waste is composed mainly of seed, skin, rind, and pomace, containing good sources of potentially valuable bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, dietary fibers, vitamins, enzymes, and oils, among others. These phytochemicals can be utilized in different industries including the food industry, for the development of functional or enriched foods, the health industry for medicines and pharmaceuticals, and the textile industry, among others. The use of waste for the production of various crucial bioactive components is an important step toward sustainable development. This review describes the types and nature of the waste that originates from fruits and vegetables, the bioactive components in the waste, their extraction techniques, and the potential utilization of the obtained bioactive compounds.

Maintaining antioxidant potential of fresh fruits and vegetables after harvest.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased in the past few years, not only because of their attractive sensorial properties, but also for their nutritional and health benefits. Antioxidants are compounds found in fresh fruits and vegetables, and evidence of their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases is continuously emerging. However, the antioxidants in some fruits and vegetables can be lost during handling after harvest, even during minimal processing and storage. In this sense, postharvest treatments are needed to preserve the quality and antioxidant potential of fresh produce. Postharvest treatments and technologic strategies (including ultraviolet light, controlled and modified atmospheres, heat treatments, and application of natural compounds, such as edible coatings, active packaging, microencapsulation, and nanoemulsion) have shown positive and promising results to maintain fruit and vegetable antioxidant potential. The purpose of this review is to analyze and propose the application of postharvest strategies to maintain, or even improve, the antioxidant status of fruits and vegetables, thus offering options to maximize health benefits to consumers.

Effect of the moisture content of forced hot air on the postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L. cv. Manila).

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of hot air treatments in controlling decay and insects in mango fruit has been demonstrated and has usually been assessed as a function of the temperature of the heated air and the duration of the treatment. However, the contribution of the moisture content of the heated air has received little attention, especially with regard to fruit quality. In this study, mango fruits (cv. Manila) at mature-green stage were treated with moist (95% relative humidity (RH)) or dry (50% RH) hot forced air (43 °C, at 2.5 m s(-1) for 220 min) and then held at 20 °C for 9 days and evaluated periodically. RESULTS: The heating rate was higher with moist air. Treatments with moist and dry air did not cause injury to the fruit. Treatment with moist air temporarily slowed down color development, softening, weight loss and ß-carotene biosynthesis. This slowing down was clearly observed during the first 4-5 days at 20 °C. However, non-heated fruit and fruit heated with dry air showed similar quality at the end of storage. CONCLUSION: The moisture content of the heating air differentially modulated the postharvest ripening of 'Manila' mangoes. Moist air temporarily slowed down the ripening process of this mango cultivar.

Postharvest physiology and technology of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruit.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen tree whose fruit is consumed both fresh and processed. Loquat fruit is a good source of minerals and carotenoids, while the kernel is rich in protein and carbohydrates. It has been considered a non-climacteric fruit, but there is evidence that some cultivars have a ripening pattern similar to that of climacteric fruits. The fruit has a short postharvest life at ambient temperatures and is susceptible to physical and mechanical damage, loss of moisture and nutrients, and decay. Low-temperature storage extends the shelf life of loquat fruit, but some cultivars are severely affected by chilling injury and flesh browning during cold storage. Purple spot, browning and leatheriness are major postharvest disorders. The shelf life of loquat can be extended by modified or controlled atmosphere storage as well as by postharvest treatment with 1-methyl cyclopropene or methyl jasmonate.

Effect of UV-C irradiation and low temperature storage on bioactive compounds, antioxidant enzymes and radical scavenging activity of papaya fruit.

Mature green 'Maradol' papaya fruits were exposed to ultraviolet (UV)-C irradiation (1.48 kJ·m(-2)) and stored at 5 or 14 °C. Changes in total phenols, total flavonoids, enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), as well as the scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals were investigated in peel and flesh tissues at 0, 5, 10 and 15 days of storage. UV-C irradiation increased significantly (P < 0.05) the flavonoid content (2.5 and 26 %) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (5.7 and 6 %) in flesh and peel at 14 °C respectively; and CAT activity (16.7 %) in flesh at 5 °C. Flavonoid contents, CAT and SOD activities were positively affected under low storage temperature (5 °C). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased in both control and UV-C treated papaya peel during storage at 5 °C. UV-C irradiation effect on radical scavenging of papaya peel could be attributed to increased flavonoid content. Papaya antioxidant system was activated by UV-C and cold storage by increasing phenolic content and antioxidant enzymatic activities as a defense response against oxidative-stress.

Quality evaluation of fresh pistachios (Pistacia vera L.) cultivars coated with chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite.

Fresh pistachios are rich in dietary fiber, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids, but they have a short shelf life. This investigation examined the effect of pre-harvest foliar application with chitosan (500 and 1000 mg. L-1), nano-chitosan (250 and 500 mg. L-1), and chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite (250 and 500 mg. L-1) coating films on the postharvest physiology and storage of fresh pistachios (Pistacia vera cvs. Akbari and Ahmad Aghaei) cultivar during storage at 4 ± 0.5 °C. It was found that, fresh pistachios' shelf life could by increased by up to 30 days by the use of chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite coating for foliar application. The decay index of the composite coated fruits was 4-6 % lower than that of the control group, and after 50-60 days the bacterial contamination appeared in cultivars; respectively. The nanocomposite treatments reduced the fruits weight between 30 and 40 %, which was 15 % higher that of than uncoated fruits. The pre-harvest application of chitosan/TiO2 coating reduced microbial contamination, weight loss, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) activity and saturated fatty acids, and increased unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant properties, sensory properties, essential minerals, superoxide dismutase (SOD), quality indicators and shelf life. These results demonstrated that the chitosan/TiO2 (250 and 500 mg. L-1) coating film effectively preserved the nutrient composition, sensory quality, nutritional value, antioxidant capacity and shelf life of fresh pistachio.

Cytotoxic and Antitumoral Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Avocado Fruit Mesocarp in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line HT29.

Colorectal cancer is a widespread neoplasia with high ratios of chemoresistance. Phytochemicals in plant-based extracts could be useful to treat colorectal cancer, and/or reduce chemoresistance. Methanolic extract of avocado mesocarp (MEAM) has demonstrated antitumoral properties, depending on the fruit ripening stage (RS). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of methanolic extracts of "Hass" avocado fruit at different RS on cytotoxicity, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-invasive, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibition in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. The MEAM showed an increasing concentration of total phenolic compounds as the RS progressed, which was correlated with antioxidant capacity measured by the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay but not with the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The specific phenolic compounds of MEAM were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and it was found that concentrations of epicatechin decreased while concentrations of chlorogenic acid increased as the RS progressed. The HT29 cell line was treated with MEAM for 48 h, and all MEAM had a cytotoxic effect, reported by MTT assay, nevertheless, the strongest effect was associated with the presence of chlorogenic acid. MEAM induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in phase G0/G1, reported by flow cytometry. Moreover, MEAM inhibited cell migration evidenced by the wound healing assay. On the other hand, MEAM significantly reduced expression of mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase 2. These effects comprise important inhibition of some hallmarks of cancer. This, in turn, may provide interesting guidelines for developing antitumoral intervention agents.

Nutraceutical value of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. fruits: antioxidant and antihypertensive properties.

In Mexico black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) fruits are consumed fresh, dried or prepared in jam. Considering the evidence that has linked intake of fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols to cardiovascular risk reduction, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic profile of black cherry fruits and to determine their antioxidant, vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects. The proximate composition and mineral contents of these fruits were also assessed. Black cherry fruits possess a high content of phenolic compounds and display a significant antioxidant capacity. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis indicated that hyperoside, anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid were the main phenolic compounds found in these fruits. The black cherry aqueous extract elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of aortic rings and induced a significant reduction on systolic blood pressure in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats after four weeks of treatment. Proximate analysis showed that black cherry fruits have high sugar, protein, and potassium contents. The results derived from this study indicate that black cherry fruits contain phenolic compounds which elicit significant antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. These findings suggest that these fruits might be considered as functional foods useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Assessment and profiling of the fatty acids in two ackee fruit (Blighia sapida Köenig) varieties during different ripening stages.

BACKGROUND: The ripening of fruits is characterized by physical, chemical and biochemical compositional changes such as color, sugars and phenolic compounds. Ackee fruit is famous in Jamaica and the Caribbean. This study aimed to assess the variation of fatty acids in two varieties (cheese and butter) ackee (Blighia sapida) fruits during five different ripening stages. RESULTS: The total fatty acid content of ackee fruit was much higher in arils and ranged from 283.4 to 465.1 g kg(-1) dry weight (DW), while in husk they ranged from 235.2 to 465.1 g kg(-1) DW in both varieties. Total fatty acid content declined in the arils and the husks as the fruit ripened. Five major fatty acids were found: palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3). In the arils, oleic acid was found at the highest concentration, followed by palmitic, stearic, linoleic and last linolenic acid. The unsaturated:saturated ratio of fatty acids varied from 1.23 to 3.26 in the arils of both varieties, and from 1.03 to 5.05 in the husk. Monounsaturated:polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged from 8.56 to 25.19 in the arils and from 0.62 to 2.33 in the husk. CONCLUSION: The results show that ackee arils contain much higher levels of fats than the husk and the major fatty acid in the arils was oleic acid (Δ9-cis-oleic acid, an omega n-9), while in the husk unsaturated fatty acids were higher than the saturated ones. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid in both varieties, and aril fatty acid content was 10-20 times higher than in the husk. In both varieties, unsaturated fatty acids were relatively higher than saturated ones; however, total fatty acids showed a decline with ripening for arils and husk tissues.

The effect of antifungal hot-water treatments on papaya postharvest quality and activity of pectinmethylesterase and polygalacturonase.

The effect of antifungal hot-water treatments (AHWT) at 55 °C for 0, 3, 6 and 9 min on quality attributes and cell-wall enzymatic activity during storage at 25 °C was investigated in papaya fruit. The total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), firmness and fresh weight loss were not affected, whereas color on skin was negatively affected by the treatments of 6- and 9-min. However, the skin color was not different between the 3-min treated fruit and the untreated fruit during the storage. Decay was delayed and reduced by AHWT. We observed that the 3-min treatment of 55 °C did not affect softening and quality of papaya cv Maradol when applied as a pesticide-free treatment at color-break stage of papaya. PME (Pectinmethylesterase) and PG (Polygalacturonase) activities were not significantly affected by AHWT. We concluded that the AHWT did not affect the softening process from papaya pulp since the cell-wall enzyme activity (PME and PG) was not altered by treatments.

Identification and quantification of fatty acids and lipid-soluble phytochemicals using GC-MS, HPLC-MS, and FTIR and their association with quality parameters during avocado ripening.

Consumer demand for the avocado fruit has increased considerably, but accelerated fruit ripening, lack of fruit ripening uniformity, and lack of proper quality characteristics and indices generate considerable problems during fruit handling and trade. Physicochemical parameters are used to determine avocado fruit ripening. These parameters together with lipid-soluble phytochemicals (LSP) and fatty acids (FAs) highlight the health and economic importance of this fruit. Analysis of LSP and FAs in avocado fruit has been reported, but combining the use of analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to determine qualitative and quantitative changes during fruit ripening, and their association with physicochemical parameters, has not been conducted. Physicochemical parameters (fruit firmness, color, oil and dry matter contents) were determined, and the changes of FAs and LSP (carotenoids, chlorophylls, and tocopherols) during "Hass" avocado ripening, based on dry matter (DM) content, were analyzed using FTIR, GC-MS, and HPLC-MS. The association between them was also determined using principal component analysis. Fruit with 19% and 25% DM exhibited high LSP and FAs levels. Carotenoids, chlorophylls, and tocopherols were associated with firmness, color, and DM of 19% and 22%, while FAs were associated with fruit weight and DM of 25%. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: There is a major global increase in avocado cultivation and consumer demand. However, a major problem facing the handling and trade of avocado fruit is related to lack of fruit ripening uniformity and quality characteristics and indices. Therefore, a proper association between simple measures of fruit physicochemical properties and bioactive components can establish an excellent, simple, and practical index that can eventually be used for quality evaluation by the industry and the consumers.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in garambullo fruit (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) at different ripening stages.

Garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is endemic in México, and although popularly consumed locally, its nutritional characteristics and value have not been studied in details. The objective of this work was to investigate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in garambullo fruit from different sites at three ripening stages. Fruit from the three ripening stages (red, purple, and dark purple) were investigated for their physicochemical characteristics, hydrophilic (phenolic compounds, betalains, and ascorbic acid), and lipophilic (carotenoids, tocopherols, and fatty acids) bioactive compounds, using spectrophotometry, gas chromatography (GC-FID), and high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS). The antioxidant capacity was measured with the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and the ferric-ion-reducing antioxidant power assays. The color components of the fruit, chroma and a* values increased, whereas lightness (L*) and b* significantly decreased during ripening. Five betacyanins and four betaxanthins were tentatively identified with HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS, and betacyanins were more abundant than betaxanthins. Betalains content and antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic extracts significantly increased during ripening. Ten phenolic compounds were identified, with ferulic acid being the most abundant. Tocopherols were low (0.023-0.033 mg/100 g fw). Five fatty acids were abundant, and linoleic acid was the most important. Phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and fatty acids decreased during fruit ripening. Garambullo fruit is rich in phytochemical compounds of importance for human nutrition and health. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The physicochemical and bioactive compounds characterization in garambullo fruit is important to establish maturation and harvesting indices, postharvest strategies to preserve fruit quality and prolong postharvest life, promote the consumption and utilization of the fruit, and the designing of proper functional foods. In addition, the knowledge on the bioactive components might be useful to include this fruit in personalized nutritional approaches for patients with risks of certain chronic diseases. The methodology used in this study could be useful for the study of other fruits, especially those from the Cactaceae family.

Lesser-Consumed Tropical Fruits and Their by-Products: Phytochemical Content and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential.

Açaí, lychee, mamey, passion fruit and jackfruit are some lesser-consumed tropical fruits due to their low commercial production. In 2018, approximately 6.8 million tons of these fruits were harvested, representing about 6.35% of the total world production of tropical fruits. The present work reviews the nutritional content, profile of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of these fruits and their by-products, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress due to the content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Açaí pulp is an excellent source of anthocyanins (587 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g dry weight, dw), mamey pulp is rich in carotenoids (36.12 mg ß-carotene/100 g fresh weight, fw), passion fruit peel is rich in dietary fiber (61.16 g/100 dw). At the same time, jackfruit contains unique compounds such as moracin C, artocarpesin, norartocarpetin and oxyresveratrol. These molecules play an important role in the regulation of inflammation via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (including p38, ERK and JNK) and nuclear factor κB pathways. The properties of the bioactive compounds found in these fruits make them a good source for use as food ingredients for nutritional purposes or alternative therapies. Research is needed to confirm their health benefits that can increase their marketability, which can benefit the primary producers, processing industries (particularly smaller ones) and the final consumer, while an integral use of their by-products will allow their incorporation into the circular bioeconomy.

Bioaccessibility of fat-soluble bioactive compounds (FSBC) from avocado fruit as affected by ripening and FSBC composition in the food matrix.

Dried fruit pulp and oil from avocado fruit (Persea americana, Cv Hass) at five different ripening stages were digested in vitro to determine the bioaccessibility of several fat-soluble bioactive compounds (FSBC). Viscosity, particle size, ζ-potential and lipolysis were evaluated and related to the bioaccessibility of the tested compounds. Fatty acids were more bioaccessible than carotenoids and tocopherols. The viscosity of gastrointestinal medium was related to the initial fruit firmness and modulated the bioaccessibility of neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and luteoxanthin, while particle size and ζ-potential influenced the bioaccessibility of fatty acids. Lipolysis degree highly altered the bioaccessibility of luteoxanthin, pheophytin b, and α-tocopherol indicating that these digestive events are highly involved in the bioaccessibility of FSBC. In summary, FSBC from avocado fruit are highly bioaccessible, but their bioaccessibility depends on fruit ripening stage and FSBC type and concentration.

Antiproliferative potential of Andean Berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) juice in combination with Aspirin in human SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Andean Berry (Vaccinium meridionale Sw.) is a South American fruit rich in phytochemicals with promising anti-cancer properties as co-adjuvants to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin. This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative potential of Andean Berry Juice (ABJ) in combination with Aspirin in human SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells. ABJ primarily contained 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic and chlorogenic acids. The combined treatment of ABJ (IC50 : 30.0 ± 0.11%) and Aspirin (IC50 : 20.0 ± 0.57) exhibited a higher (p < .01) antiproliferative effect than each counterpart. Moreover the same mixture displayed a lower reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) than the untreated cells. ABJ-Aspirin combination induced late apoptosis stage without stimulating mitochondrial depolarization and prompted phosphatidylserine relocalization. These results emphasize the antiproliferative potential of bioactive compounds from ABJ and Aspirin combinations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Natural products such as Andean Berry (V. meridionale Sw.) juice (ABJ) contains antioxidant polyphenols that could reduce the need to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, currently employed in cancer treatment, to prevent its side effects. The high abundance of polyphenols from this underutilized berry could stimulate the standardization of its production and industrial exploitation to be transformed into suitable food products delivering natural bioactive compounds with potential anti-cancer effects in vitro.

Effect of cultivar on the content of selected phytochemicals in avocado peels.

The peels of ripe fruit of 'Hass' and 'Hass' type (HT) avocado cultivars were evaluated for phytochemical composition and other attributes. Peels represented from 8.78 to 14.11% of fruit weight. Their color ranged from homogeneous black to black with very small greenish spots. The oil content in the peels was low. Twelve fatty acids were identified in peel oil and the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids suggested that peel oil might contribute to human health. The phytochemical composition varied significantly with cultivar. However, many HT peels were superior than 'Hass' peel in their content of α-tocopherol, ß-sitosterol, perseitol, and cyanidin-3-glucoside, which was up to 211.67, 45.92, 337.17, and 519.27% higher in HT peels, respectively. The content of some phenolic compounds, especially procyanidin B2 and epicatechin, was significantly lower in 'Hass' than in many HT peels. Few HT peels showed a higher content of carotenoids and chlorophyll than 'Hass' peels. Lutein was the most abundant carotenoid. Chlorophyll a and b were also abundant in peels and low concentrations of chlorophyll derivatives were observed. Avocado peels are an important source of bioactive compounds, including some carotenoids, acids, sterols, and volemitol, which were observed for the first time.

Metabolomic analysis and physical attributes of ripe fruits from Mexican Creole (Persea americana var. Drymifolia) and 'Hass' avocados.

The physicochemical properties, including nutrient and bioactive compound compositions, in fruit of four creole avocados (CA) from Mexico were determined and compared with those of 'Hass' fruit. 'Hass' pulp and some CA pulps contained similar concentrations of lutein, chlorophyll a, ß-sitosterol and α-tocopherol. CA pulp contained 3.91-9.55% more oil than 'Hass'. Oil from CA pulp contained 10.10-26.79% more oleic acid than 'Hass' pulp. However, CA were small (CA = 81.40-137.15 g, 'Hass' = 188.59 g) and their pulp contents were low (CA = 39.83-84.82 g, 'Hass' = 144.14 g). CA peels were very thin, making these avocado peels edible but prone to mechanical damage. CA peels also contained higher concentrations and greater diversity of anthocyanins and glycosylated quercetin compounds than 'Hass' peels. Some CA were particularly rich in mannoheptulose and perseitol. Consumption of CA, including their peel, might result in higher intakes of some nutrients and bioactive compounds compared with 'Hass' avocados.