Quality and chemical composition of ten red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) genotypes during three harvest seasons.

Colour and chemical composition of fruits of 10 red raspberry genotypes grown in Nordic climate during three harvest seasons were studied. The main phenolic compounds in the fruits were ellagitannins and anthocyanins, contributing 57% and 42% to the quantified phenolic compounds, respectively. Cyanidin-3-sophoroside was the most abundant anthocyanin (61%). All quality parameters were significantly affected by genotype. The genotypes could be categorised into three groups. 'Veten' and 'RU984 06038' were characterised by high concentrations of flavonoids, i.e., anthocyanins and quercetin glycosides, and dark red colour. 'Octavia', 'Glen Magna', 'RU004 03067', 'Glen Ample' and 'RU974 07002' were characterised by light colour, high titratable acids and low flavonoid concentrations. 'Malling Hestia', 'RU024 01003' and 'RU004 04095' had high content of dry matter, soluble solids, ascorbic acid and ellagic acid containing compounds, in addition to high hue and chroma values. All quality parameters, except ascorbic acid and lambertianin C, varied significantly between harvest seasons. The lowest seasonal variation in fruit quality was observed in 'RU024 01003' and 'Glen Ample' and the highest 'RU004 03067' and 'Glen Magna'.

Effects of ripeness and cultivar on chemical composition of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) fruits and their suitability for jam production as a stable product at different storage temperatures.

Effects of ripeness (nearly ripe, ripe, fully ripe) and cultivar ('Blink', 'Polka' and 'Senga Sengana') on colour and chemical composition of strawberry fruits and their suitability for jam production, evaluated as stability during storage at 4 and 20°C for 3 and 6months, were investigated. Quality traits of fruits and jams were significantly affected by both ripeness stage and cultivar. However, after 6months of storage, particularly at 20°C, the effects of fruit ripeness and cultivar were considerably reduced. During jam storage, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, chroma and hue were least stable in jams made from the least ripe fruits. Quality traits in jams made from 'Senga Sengana' were best preserved during storage, while quality and chemical composition in jams made from 'Blink' changed the most. In conclusion, fully ripe fruits were best suited for jam processing. Storage at low temperature was preferable and 'Senga Sengana' was the most and 'Blink' the least suitable cultivar for processing.

Phenolic compounds in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) fruits: Composition in 27 cultivars and changes during ripening.

Phenolic compounds in fruits of 27 cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) grown in Norway were characterised and quantified by HPLC-DAD-MS(n). Total phenolic content, calculated as the sum of the individual compounds, varied 2.3-fold among cultivars, i.e., from 57 to 133mg/100g of fw. There were significant differences among cultivars in concentration of all phenolic compounds. The highest variation between cultivars was found for cinnamoyl glucose (0.6-24.9mg/100g of fw). Concentration of anthocyanins, the most abundant class of phenolic compounds in the majority of the cultivars, varied from 8.5 to 65.9mg/100g of fw. Flavan-3-ols (11-45mg/100g of fw) and ellagitannins (7.7-18.2mg/100g of fw) contributed on average 28% and 14% to total phenolic contents in the strawberry cultivars, respectively. In three cultivars harvested at three stages of ripeness, anthocyanins and cinnamic acid conjugates were the compounds most affected by ripening. The anthocyanin profile for the individual cultivars was only slightly affected by ripening and growing conditions.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topically applied delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for the treatment of oral leukoplakia.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive method for topical and selective treatment of pre-malignant lesions of oral cavity. The aim of our study was to determine therapeutic response to PDT in patients with oral leukoplakia. METHODS: Twelve patients participated in our study. Lesions affected a variety of intraoral sites. The most common location was buccal, gingival and mandibular mucosa. Patients were treated with topically applied 10% delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and light from an argon-pumped dye laser. Irradiation was performed in several (6-8) sessions using light at 635 nm wavelength, delivering a total dose of 100 J/cm2 per session. RESULTS: A complete response was obtained in 10 out of 12 treated patients. One recurrence was observed during 6 months. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy appears to be a feasible alternative to conventional therapy of pre-malignant lesions of oral cavity.