Metabolomic approach to identifying bioactive compounds in berries: advances toward fruit nutritional enhancement.
Plant polyphenolics continue to be the focus of attention with regard to their putative impact on human health. An increasing and ageing human population means that the focus on nutrition and nutritional enhancement or optimisation of our foodstuffs is paramount. Using the raspberry as a model, we have shown how modern metabolic profiling approaches can be used to identify the changes in the level of beneficial polyphenolics in fruit breeding segregating populations and how the level of these components is determined by genetic and/or environmental control. Interestingly, the vitamin C content appeared to be significantly influenced by environment (growth conditions) whilst the content of the polyphenols such as cyanidin, pelargonidin and quercetin glycosides appeared much more tightly regulated, suggesting a rigorous genetic control. Preliminary metabolic profiling showed that the fruit polyphenolic profiles divided into two gross groups segregating on the basis of relative levels of cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, compounds implicated as conferring human health benefits.
Stewart
Derek
D
Quality, Health and Nutrition Programme, SCRI, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK. Derek.Stewart@scri.ac.uk
McDougall
Gordon J
GJ
Sungurtas
Julie
J
Verrall
Susan
S
Graham
Julie
J
Martinussen
Inger
I
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001947:Breeding; D004777:Environment; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D059808:Polyphenols; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D001205:Ascorbic Acid