Food Res Int. 2017 May;95:91-100. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.02.023. Epub 2017 Feb 28.
- 1
- CICS - UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
- 2
- CICS - UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; LEPABE - Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: luisfarmacognosia@gmail.pt.
Abstract
Cherries
are one of the most appreciated summer fruits due to their attractive
colour, sweet taste, high water content, low level of calories and
composition in bioactive compounds which, in turn, are important to
prevent some pathologies like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and
cancer. In this work we evaluated the phenolic profile and biological
potential of 5 varieties of sweet cherries from Fundão region (Portugal)
(Saco, Sweetheart, Satin, Maring and Hedelfinger). A total of 23
phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD and distributed by the
several classes: 6 anthocyanins, 1 hydroxybenzoic acid, 8
hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 flavan-3-ols and 5 flavonols. Maring revealed
higher contents in anthocyanins, while Hedelfinger was the richest in
non-coloured phenolics. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated against
DPPH and nitric oxide radicals. Hedelfinger was the most active against
DPPH• (IC50=12.1μg/mL) and Maring against nitric oxide (IC50=140.9μg/mL).
Afterwards, antidiabetic capacity was evaluated through the inhibition
of α-glucosidase activity, pointing Hedelfinger as the most active (IC50=10.3μg/mL).
The capacity of Saco extracts to inhibit the hemoglobin oxidation and
the hemolysis of human erythrocytes was also evaluated. Both assays
revealed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect (IC50=38.6μg/mL and IC50=73.0μg/mL,
respectively). The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude
that sweet cherries possess a great biological potential, and further
investigation should be done to promote commercialization and encourage
its use in food supplements and in new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical
applications.
Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
KEYWORDS:
Bioactive compounds; Biological potential; Fundão region; Phenolic compounds; Sweet cherry
