Effect of Vaccinium ashei reade Leaf Extracts on Lipid Metabolism in Obese OLETF Rats

The effects of a hot water extract and fractional extracts from rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei reade) leaves (BBL) on lipid metabolism were studied in obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Feeding the hot water extract and fractional extracts from BBL alleviated hepatic triglyceride accumulation in the rats. Additionally, feeding with the flavonol glycoside (FG) and proanthocyanidin (PA) fractions lowered serum cholesterol levels in the obese rats. The results from measurements of the hepatic enzyme activity indicate that the hypolipidemic effects of the hot water extract and the PA fraction might be attributable to enhanced lipolysis in the liver. The reduced serum levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory cytokine, by the chlorogenic acid + rutin fraction and FG fraction might be associated with alleviating the metabolic abnormalities in obese rats. These results indicate that the BBL extracts, and especially FG and PA, exerted hypolipidemic effects on obese OLETF rats and suggest that an infusion of BBL can be useful as a dietary hypolipidemic component.     

Growth characteristics and ion contents of non-selected and salt-selected callus lines of highbush blueberry (Vacdnium corymbosum) cultivars Blue Crop and Denise Blue

Non-selected and sodium chloride selected callus lines of Vacdnium corymbosum L.cv Blue Crop and cv. Denise Blue were grown on media supplemented with 0–100 mM NaCl. For both cultivars, fresh weight and dry weight yields were greater in selected lines on all levels of NaCl. Selected lines of Blue Crop displayed better growth than selected lines of Denise Blue at most concentrations of NaCl. Internal Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in selected and non-selected lines of both cultivars increased as external concentration was raised. However, selected lines of Blue Crop and Denise Blue accumulated more Na⁺ and Cl^– than non-selected lines. Selected lines of both cultivars maintained higher levels of K⁺ than non-selected lines on all external NaCl levels. Selected lines of Blue Crop had higher levels of Na⁺ and Cl^– than that of Denise Blue. The results suggest Na⁺ and Cl^– accumulation could be a mechanism allowing better growth in selected lines at moderate salinity levels (50–75 mM NaCl).     

Influence of irradiance on in vitro growth and proliferation of Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry) and subsequent rooting in vivo

The effects of light on in vitro proliferation and subsequent in vivo rooting and acclimatisation of Vaccinium corymbosum were investigated. The shoots were exposed in vitro to different irradiances (total radiation ranging from 55 to 240 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 7 to 60 days. In vitro growth and proliferation and the possible consequences on in vivo rooting were observed.
As compared to the control treatment (55 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), higher irradiances improved proliferation and rooting ratios only with short applications (7 days). Short but high (210 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) exposures applied at the end of the proliferation phase increased in vivo growth and rooting of the shoots. The shoots treated with strong light for longer times (14 and 28 days) showed both inhibition of growth and red colour of leaves and sprouts, and were less vigorous when transferred in vivo.     

Host fruit chemical stimuli eliciting distinct ovipositional responses from sibling species of Rhagoletis fruit flies

Laboratory experiments tested whether two economically-important sibling species of tephritid fruit flies have evolved distinct egg-laying responses to chemical stimuli on the fruits of their respective hostplants. The egg-laying preferences displayed by apple maggot flies, R. pomonella, and blueberry maggot flies, R. mendax, on artificial fruits treated with apple and blueberry extract paralleled their egg-laying responses to whole apples and blueberries. R. pomonella flies laid more eggs than R. mendax flies in artificial fruits treated with extract from ripe McIntosh apples, and vice versa for artificial fruits treated with extract from ripe Bluehaven blueberries. Furthermore, both species laid more eggs in artificial fruits treated with extract from their respective host fruits than control artificial fruits which were not treated with fruit extract. Prior electroantennogram recordings from R. mendax and R. pomonella flies exposed to volatiles from pentane extracts of apples and blueberries indicate that the antennal sensitivity of both species is selectively tuned to their respective host fruit odors. This differentiation in their olfactory responses to fruit odors could be important in mediating their distinct ovipositional responses to blueberry and apple fruits. Extract from unripe McIntosh apples also elicited egg laying by R. pomonella flies, however, artificial fruits treated with unripe apple extract received 1.9 times fewer eggs than those treated with ripe apple extract. Moreover, the numbers of R. pomonella ovipositor punctures and eggs placed in wax artificial fruits were increased when the artificial fruits were treated with a blend of 7 identified apple esters. Black coloration on these artificial fruits and the presence of apple esters had a synergistic effect on the egg-laying behavior of R. pomonella flies, which caused them to lay substantially more eggs per black fruit than white fruit treated with the same concentration of apple esters. In summary, our results indicate that the egg-laying responses of R. pomonella flies are mediated by the integration of information from fruit chemical and visual cues, and that R. mendax and R. pomonella flies have evolved divergent egg-laying responses to chemical stimuli on the fruits of their respective hostplants. These findings are discussed in the context of other studies on plant compounds which influence the ovipositional behavior of phytophagous Diptera.

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Stimuli chimiques des pommes et des myrtilles induisant la ponte des espèces jumelles, Rhagoletis pomonella et R. mendax

Résumé Des fruits artificiels en cire traités avec des extraits de fruits ont provoqué chez les espèces jumelles de R. mendax (Curran) et R. pomonella (Walsh) des réactions de ponte différentes suivant les stimulations chimiques par les fruits. Le comportement de ponte sur des fruits artificiels traités avec des extraits au pentane des myrtilles mûres (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) et de pommes mûres (Malus pumila Miller = Pyrus malus L.), est le même que sur des fruits naturels, ce qui montre que la réponse aux stimulations chimiques provenant du fruit constitue un aspect important de la reconnaissance de l'hôte. R. pomonella pond plus d'ufs que R. mendax sur les fruits artificiels traités à l'extrait de pommes mûres; c'est l'inverse pour les fruits traités aux extraits de myrtille. Les fruits artificiels traités avec des pommes ou des myrtilles provoquent la ponte de R. pomonella, tandis que les myrtilles mûres seules provoquent la ponte de R. mendax. Les extraits de pommes vertes stimulent la ponte de R. pomonella mais elle est alors 2 fois plus faible qu'avec des extraits de pommes mûres. Un mélange de 7 esters identifiés dans l'extrait de pomme induit aussi la ponte de R. pomonella. Le nombre de piqûres de tarièresfli dans les fruits artificiels en cire et le nombre d'ufs par fruit ont été augmentés par addition d'esters de pommes à des fruits blancs ou noirs. La couleur des fruits artificiels influence aussi la réaction de ponte de R. pomonella; la fréquence des piqûres de tarière contenant un uf et le nombre d'ufs par fruit étaient significativement plus élevés sur les fruits noirs que sur les fruits blancs traités avec la même concentration d'esters de pomme. Les fruits artificiels noirs traités avec la concentration la plus stimulante d'esters de pommes ont reçu 2, 3 fois plus d'ufs que les fruits blancs avec les mêmes concentrations en esters. Ces résultats montrent que les esters de pomme et la couleur noire stimulent synergiquement la ponte de R. pomonella sur des fruits artificiels.

     

Factors affecting the efficacy of a vinegar trap for Drosophila suzikii (Diptera; Drosophilidae)

Drosophila suzukii, Matsumura, is a relatively new pest in the United States attacking a variety of fruit crops. Studies were conducted to develop a standardized, economical trap for monitoring. Laboratory bioassays found that flies were attracted to dark colours ranging from red to black. Similarly, fly catches in 237‐ml plastic ‘spice’ jars with ten 0.48‐cm holes and baited with apple cider vinegar were significantly higher in jars with red or black than white caps. The use of an alternating set of three, horizontal red, black and red bands (‘Zorro’ trap) significantly increased fly catches compared with the use of all‐red or all‐black strips. This increase was associated with a significantly higher proportion of flies first landing on the side near the openings of the trap instead of on the cap with the ‘Zorro’ trap compared with the other traps. Laboratory data were used to develop a predictive model to define total fly capture as a function of trap colour/colour pattern, cumulative area of entry holes and the length of the trapping portion of the trap. Total fly catches by the ‘Zorro’ trap were compared with other red and clear plastic traps in five field trials conducted in several cultivated and uncultivated sites. Comparisons included a commercial red‐capped 200‐ml trap with two 0.63‐cm holes, an all‐red spice jar with ten 0.48‐cm holes and clear and red 473‐ml and clear 946‐ml plastic cups with six or ten 0.48‐ or 0.63‐cm holes. The model was successfully validated, suggesting that performance of cup traps can be predicted based on a few characteristics. The current ‘Zorro’ trap did not catch most of the flies among trap designs, but showed some advantages, including the durability and potential to recycle the plastic, small size, commercial availability and its greater selectivity for D. suzukii than the other traps tested.     

A chromosome-scale assembly of the bilberry genome identifies a complex locus controlling berry anthocyanin composition

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) belongs to the Vaccinium genus, which includes blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) and cranberry (V. macrocarpon). Unlike its cultivated relatives, bilberry remains largely undomesticated, with berry harvesting almost entirely from the wild. As such, it represents an ideal target for genomic analysis, providing comparisons with the domesticated Vaccinium species. Bilberry is prized for its taste and health properties and has provided essential nutrition for Northern European indigenous populations. It contains high concentrations of phytonutrients, with perhaps the most important being the purple colored anthocyanins, found in both skin and flesh. Here, we present the first bilberry genome assembly, comprising 12 pseudochromosomes assembled using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Hi-C Technologies. The pseudochromosomes represent 96.6% complete BUSCO genes with an assessed LAI score of 16.3, showing a high conservation of synteny against the blueberry genome. Kmer analysis showed an unusual third peak, indicating the sequenced samples may have been from two individuals. The alternate alleles were purged so that the final assembly represents only one haplotype. A total of 36,404 genes were annotated after nearly 48% of the assembly was masked to remove repeats. To illustrate the genome quality, we describe the complex MYBA locus, and identify the key regulating MYB genes that determine anthocyanin production. The new bilberry genome builds on the genomic resources and knowledge of Vaccinium species, to help understand the genetics underpinning some of the quality attributes that breeding programs aspire to improve. The high conservation of synteny between bilberry and blueberry genomes means that comparative genome mapping can be applied to transfer knowledge about marker-trait association between these two species, as the loci involved in key characters are orthologous.     

Combinatorial effect of blueberry extracts and oxaliplatin in human colon cancer cells

The use of natural compounds to potentiate the effect of drugs and lower their adverse effects is an active area of research. The objective is to determine the effect of combined blueberry extracts (BE) and oxaliplatin (OX) in colon cancer cells. The results demonstrated that treatments of BE/OX showed inhibitory effects on HCT-116 cell and nontoxic effect on CCD-18Co normal colon cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that treatment with the BE, OX or in combination could induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, increase of reactive oxygen species, and induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in HCT-116 cells. Furthermore, after treatments, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was decreased, cyclin D1 and CDK4 were decreased; caspases-3 and 9 were activated; the Akt/Bad/Bcl-2 pathway was modulated. Moreover, the combination treatment had a considerably higher growth inhibitory effect on human colon cancer HCT-116 cells than that of BE or oxaliplatin alone. Our results showed that BE increased the anticolon cancer effect of OX making it an attractive strategy as adjuvant therapy to potentially reduce the adverse side effects associated with chemotherapeutic drugs.     

美国蓝浆果的引种

１９８８年由美国引入１２个兔眼蓝浆果（ＶａｃｉｎｉｕｍａｓｈｅｉＲｅａｄｅ）品种,在江苏南京和溧水两地试种。１０年来生长结果正常,产量和品质与原产地无显著差异,引种获得成功,证明兔眼蓝浆果能适应本地区自然条件。单株产量平均７．５１ｋｇ,品种间差异显著,最高９．８６ｋｇ,最低１３４ｋｇ。单位投影面积产量３．１０ｋｇ／ｍ２,最高４．０６ｋｇ／ｍ２,最低１．１３ｋｇ／ｍ２。高于或至少不低于原产区产量记录。据此预测,栽植距离适宜时,在本地区亩产量可达１５００～２０００ｋｇ以上。大多数品种果实糖酸比很高,鲜食风味好,氨基酸含量中等,矿质元素Ｚｎ和Ｓｅ含量高。兔眼蓝浆果可在江苏南部丘陵地区发展;此外,还应将试验扩大到南方红黄壤地区;并对本国野生资源开展研究和利用。     

蓝莓果渣提取物总酚含量及抗氧化活性研究

研究了蓝莓果渣提取物总酚含量及其抗氧化活性。分别采用水、40%乙醇及纤维素酶辅助乙醇超声提取蓝莓果渣,并用Folin-Ciocalteu试剂对3种提取物的总酚含量进行评估;并采用DPPH清除实验及O2—.清除实验对3种提取物的抗氧化活性进行研究。实验结果表明,纤维素酶辅助超声提取蓝莓果渣的总酚含量最高,可达425.36±15.21 mg GAE.100 g-1DW,远远高于水提物(169.46±9.75 mg GAE.100 g-1DW)及醇提物(218.39±12.54mg GAE.100 g-1DW)中的总酚含量。且纤维素酶辅助乙醇超声提取物对DPPH的清除能力为2.67±0.13 gVc.100 g-1DW,对O—.2的清除能力2.48±0.14 g Vc.100 g-1DW,明显好于醇提物及水提物抗氧化活性。     

蓝莓的成分与保健功能的研究进展

越橘属蓝莓含有花青苷（花青素或酚配基,与糖的结合体）。紫檀芪、鞣花酸、超氧化物歧化酶、熊果酸、酚酸及不同维生素等生物活性成分。很早就报道蓝莓所含花青苷可加速视紫素的再生而有益于视力及眼部健康。近年的研究显示蓝莓具有抗氧化作用,预防癌症、降血脂、降胆固醇、增强记忆、抗衰老、增强人体免疫、保护视力、抗糖尿病等保健功能。因此蓝莓被认为是最有营养的食物之一。