Castanea spp. Agrobiodiversity Conservation: Genotype Influence on Chemical and Sensorial Traits of Cultivars Grown on the Same Clonal Rootstock.

A large species diversity characterises the wide distribution of chestnuts in Asia, North America, and Europe, hence reflecting not only the adaptation of the genus Castanea to diverse environmental conditions, but also to different management strategies encompassing orchards. The characterisation and description of chestnut populations and cultivars are crucial to develop effective conservation strategies of one of the most important Italian and European fruit and wood species. Chestnut cultivars grown in the same pedoclimatic conditions and on the same clonal rootstock were characterised with sensory, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic analysis to determine the phytochemical composition and nutraceutical properties. A multivariate approach, including principal component analysis and conditional inference tree models, was also performed. The ease of peeling, seed colour, and intensity of sweetness were the sensory descriptors that allowed us to differentiate C. sativa cultivars. Antioxidant capacity ranged from 9.30 ± 0.39 mmol Fe+2 kg-1 DW ('Bouche de Bètizac') to 19.96 ± 1.89 mmol Fe+2 kg-1 DW ('Garrone Rosso'). Monoterpenes represented the main component, reaching 88% for hybrids, followed by polyphenols (10-25% for hybrids and chestnuts, respectively). A multivariate approach showed that phenolic acids and tannins were the bioactive classes with the highest discriminating power among different genotypes, and that genotype is a significant variable (p < 0.05). In addition, most of the analysed chestnut cultivars showed a content of bioactive compounds similar to or higher than the main hazelnut, walnut, and almond varieties. Chestnut agrobiodiversity could be intended as strictly associated to the genotype effect and underlines the large variability within the genus Castanea, and therefore, the importance of in farm and ex situ conservation of local germplasm is part of a global strategy aimed at increasing the levels of agrobiodiversity.

Emerging species with nutraceutical properties: Bioactive compounds from Hovenia dulcis pseudofruits.

Hovenia dulcis Thunberg is widely distributed in East Asia, where it is well known as a food, but it is rarely consumed in Western countries. Information about its composition is scarce and focused on southern hemisphere genotypes. In the present research, the main bioactive compounds of H. dulcis pseudofruits were characterised using phytochemical analysis (HPLC fingerprint) to improve knowledge about this plant and support development of potential food applications. These preliminary results showed high levels of catechins (157.18 ± 34.34 mg/100 gFW) and other phenolic compounds responsible for antioxidant properties. Concentrations of ferulic acid were particularly high (9.66 ± 1.76 mg/100 gFW) and further studies would advance exploitation of this plant-food.

Traditional and Unconventional Dried Fruit Snacks as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds.

Dried fruits are important, healthy and popular snacks, despite the limited information on their nutritional profiles and phytochemical composition. The present work was aimed to study the chemical composition of freeze-dried fruits from four fruit species: two common commercial snacks (apple and goji) and two innovative products (kaki and kiwi). Sugar and organic acid levels, total phenolics (TPC), and main health-promoting phytochemicals were studied by HPLC fingerprinting analysis. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant capacity (AOC) was preliminarily observed in these products. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out as a multivariate approach as well. The TPC ranged from 210.9 mg GAE/100g DW (kiwi) to 872.6 mg GAE/100g DW (kaki), while dried fruit antioxidant capacity ranged from 23.09 mmol Fe2+/kg DW (goji) to 137.5 mmol Fe2+/kg DW (kaki). The most important phytochemical class in apple (two cultivars), kiwi, and kaki dried fruits was phenolics (from 74.6% to 93.3%), while monoterpenes were the first class in goji (67.5%). No anthocyanins have been identified in dried fruits because these compounds are most likely converted to phenolic acids during the drying process. This research intended to stimulate large-scale exploitation of commercial dried fruits as functional foods as well.

Consejo genético y detección de vías moleculares en pacientes con cáncer hereditario / Genetic advice and molecular pathways detection in patients with hereditary cancer

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cáncer de mama es la primera causa de muerte de la mujer en la Argentina, con una incidencia estimada de más de 19.000 casos nuevos por año. Dentro de estos, el tipo de cáncer hereditario más común es el de mama/ovario hereditario, provocado por mutaciones en los genes BRCA 1(Breast cáncer) y BRCA 2. A su vez el cáncer colorrectal es la segunda causa de muerte en Argentina, con una incidencia estimada de más de 11.000 casos nuevos por año. OBJETIVO: de la presente investigación es evaluar la utilidad de la realización de los estudios genéticos en personas con cáncer hereditario en el contexto del consejo genético, con un asesoramiento antes y después de realizarse la prueba genética POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 34 mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama/ovario y 31 pacientes de ambos sexos con diagnóstico de cáncer colorrectal (CCR). En las mujeres se analizaron los genes BRCA 1 y 2 por secuenciación de próxima generación (NSG) y grandes rearreglos de los genes BRCA 1 y 2 por amplificación de sonda dependiente de la ligadura multiplex (MLPA). En las personas de ambos sexos se determinó la Inestabilidad de Microsatelites(IMS), el análisis de mismatch repair (MMR) por MLPA y la mutación del gen BRAF (Protooncogen B-Raf) RESULTADOS: Los resultados mostraron que las pacientes con cáncer de mama / ovario con antecedentes familiares tienen un alto porcentaje de BRCA negativo. En cuanto a los cambios fenotípicos, el más predominante en este estudio, fue el subtipo triple negativo y la paciente con BRCA 2 positivo presentó este fenotipo. Con respecto al estudio del cáncer de colon detectamos cuatro pacientes con IMS-alta y mutación del V600E del gen BRAF. Cuando se les realizó el análisis de MLPA en los genes MSH6, MLH1, MSH2 y PMS2 a los efectos de establecer la diferencia entre CCR y síndrome de Lynch, los resultados fueron negativos, por lo tanto, estos pacientes fueron diagnosticados como CCR esporádico. CONCLUSIONES: Como lo demuestra este trabajo, para el consejo genético, el estudio de vías moleculares en pacientes con cáncer hereditario es un instrumento de ayuda para la valoración del riesgo génico. (AU)

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death of women in Argentina, with a estimated incidence of more than 19,000 new cases per year. Among these, the most common type of inherited cancer is the breast /ovarian caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes. At the same time, the cancer colorrectal is the second cause of death in Argentina, with an estimated incidence of more than 11,000 new cases per year. OBJECTIVE: of the present investigation is to evaluate the usefulness of the realization of the genetic studies in people with hereditary cancer in the context of genetic counseling, with a advice before and after the genetic test. POPULATIONS AND METHODS: We studied 34 women diagnosed with breast / ovarian cancer and 31 patients of both sexes with diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In women, the BRCA 1 and 2 genes by next generation sequencing (NSG) and large rearrangements of BRCA 1 and 2 genes by probe amplification dependent on multiplex ligation(MLPA). The instability of microsatellites (IMS) was determined in people of both sexes, the analysis of mismatchrepair (MMR) by MLPA and the mutation of the BRAF gene. RESULTS: There results showed that patients with breast / ovarian cancer with a history family members have a high percentage of negative BRCA. As for the changes phenotypic, the most predominant in this study, was the triple negative subtype and the patient with positive BRCA 2 presented this phenotype. With respect to the study of colon cancer detected four patients with IMS-high and mutation of the V600E of the BRAF gene. When the MLPA analysis was performed on the MSH6, MLH1, MSH2 genes and PMS2, in order to established difference between CRC and Lynch syndrome, the results were negative and therefore these patients were diagnosed as sporadic CRC. CONCLUSIONS: As this work demonstrates, for him genetic counseling, the study of pathways molecules in patients with hereditary cancer is a helpful instrument for risk assessment. (AU)

First ethnobotanical inventory and phytochemical analysis of plant species used by indigenous people living in the Maromizaha forest, Madagascar.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Characterized by one of the highest rates of endemism and biodiversity in the world, Madagascar provides a wide variety of medicinal plants, that could represent a potential source of new drugs. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential medicinal properties of the plant species used by indigenous people in Maromizaha forest and to provide the first ethnobotanical inventory of the area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through open semi-structured interviews with local informants, the reported plants were collected and identified to create a specimen herbarium. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was calculated for each ailment category mentioned in the use-reports. A selection of seven medicinal plants was submitted to phytochemical and antimicrobial analysis. The results were discussed and compared with those described in ethnobotanical and pharmacological literature. RESULTS: One hundred and three villagers were interviewed and a total of 509 use-reports were recorded. Information on 117 plant species belonging to 57 botanical families were provided. 12 categories of indigenous uses were recognized, among them the higher ICF values were recorded for cardiovascular complaints (0.75), general and unspecific diseases (0.74), digestive disorders (0.69), and diseases of the skin (0.55). The traditional medicinal uses of 18 species (15 endemic) were described for the first time. In total, 22 different bioactive compounds were identified; polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids, and vitamin C were observed in the chemical composition of all the analyzed samples. Macaranga perrieri showed the highest values of both total polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial activity was observed in leaf and bark extracts of Dilobeia thouarsii. CONCLUSION: These results confirmed the importance of investigating the traditional use of plant species, suggesting the crucial role of ethnobotanical studies for rural development, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of plant resources in the studied area.

Assessing Nutritional Traits and Phytochemical Composition of Artisan Jams Produced in Comoros Islands: Using Indigenous Fruits with High Health-Impact as an Example of Biodiversity Integration and Food Security in Rural Development.

In the Comoros Islands, as in other developing countries, malnutrition and food insecurity affect a very large percentage of the population. Developing fruit-based products in order to make profit, reduce poverty and improve indigenous people diet could be very important for local population of countries as Comoros Islands. The aim of the present work was to study the chemical composition of jams and jellies produced from seven fruit species harvested in Grand Comore Island. The following parameters were studied sugars and organic acids, total phenolics, total anthocyanins and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the main phytochemicals. Antioxidant activity was also measured. A multivariate approach (Principal Component Analysis) was performed in order to better characterize the products and to set a potential analytical tool for jam characterisation. Results showed that the analysed products are a good source of polyphenolic constituents, as caffeic and gallic acids, catechin and quercetin and volatile compounds, as limonene and γ-terpinene: these molecules may be considered as suitable markers for these fruit-derived products as characterizing the chromatographic patterns. The characterisation of these products and their nutritional and nutraceutical traits is important as valorisation of local food production for poverty reduction and rural development. Further benefits of this approach include the maintenance of local agro-biodiversity as raw material for fruit-based products and the strengthening of food security practices.

Cornus mas (L.) Fruit as a Potential Source of Natural Health-Promoting Compounds: Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Bioactive Components.

Interest in new sources of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds has recently become a major research issue, with the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) receiving particular attention for its significant amounts of phenolic compounds and vitamins, which exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. This study was aimed at increasing knowledge regarding the cornelian cherry in Italy through the analysis of biologically active substances in the locally available genotype "Chieri". Spectrophotometric methods were applied to evaluate antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin content and total polyphenolic content. Identification and quantification of the main phytochemical compounds (polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids and vitamin C) was performed via high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. C. mas extracts showed high levels of total soluble solids and low acidity. High amounts of phenolic secondary metabolites were observed, with particular reference to anthocyanins (134.71 mgC3G/100 gFW), which confer remarkable nutraceutical properties to the analysed samples. These results highlight the potential of C. mas fruits as a good source of natural antioxidants, suggesting their use as a functional food. Future studies should focus on identifying other specific phytochemical compounds and the genetic traits of local varieties in order to improve cornelian cherry cultivars for food and medicine production.

New Findings in Prunus padus L. Fruits as a Source of Natural Compounds: Characterization of Metabolite Profiles and Preliminary Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity.

European bird cherry (Prunus padus L.) has been known since the Middle Ages for its medical/food use and high health-promoting value. This study aimed to assess the potential of these fruits as a source of bioactive compounds through the characterization of its physicochemical traits, nutraceutical properties, phytochemical composition via HPLC fingerprint, and antioxidant capacity. Fully ripened fruits of Prunus padus L. (Colorata cv) were collected in mid-July 2017 in Chieri, north-western Italy. The TPC (194.22 ± 32.83 mgGAE/100 gFW) and TAC (147.42 ± 0.58 mgC3G/100 gFW) values were obtained from the analyzed extracts. The most important phytochemical class was organic acids (48.62 ± 2.31%), followed by polyphenols (35.34 ± 1.80%), monoterpenes (9.36 ± 0.64%), and vitamin C (6.68 ± 0.22%). In this research the most important flavonols selected as marker were quercitrin (16.37 ± 3.51 mg/100 gFW) and quercetin (11.86 ± 2.36 mg/100 gFW). Data were reported based on fresh weight. Moreover, fresh fruits showed a mean antioxidant activity value of 17.78 ± 0.84 mmol Fe2+·kg-1. Even though the seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, this study showed that these fruits could be a natural source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant properties, due to the contents of organic and phenolic acids, catechins, and a synergetic effect of vitamin C and flavonoids.