Effect of Flavonols of Aronia melanocarpa Fruits on Morphofunctional State of Immunocompetent Organs of Rats under Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression.

Aronia melanocarpa berries contain many compounds with potential benefits for human health. The food flavonoids quercetin and rutin, found in significant amounts in the fruits of A. melanocarpa, are known to have favourable effects on animal and human organisms. However, data on the effect of flavonols isolated from black chokeberry on immune functions during immunosuppression are not available in the literature. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of flavonol fraction isolated from A. melanocarpa fruits, in comparison with pure quercetin and rutin substances, on the dysfunctional state of rat thymus and spleen in immunodeficiency. The study was performed on Wistar rats. The animals were orally administered solutions of the investigated substances for 7 days: water, a mixture of quercetin and rutin and flavonol fraction of A. melanocarpa. For induction of immunosuppression, the animals were injected once intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide. Substance administration was then continued for another 7 days. The results showed that under the influence of flavonols, there was a decrease in cyclophosphamide-mediated reaction of lipid peroxidation enhancement and stimulation of proliferation of lymphocytes of thymus and spleen in rats. At that, the effect of the flavonol fraction of aronia was more pronounced.

High-compatibility properties of Aronia melanocarpa extracts cross-linked chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol composite film for intelligent food packaging.

Although the active and intelligent properties of rich in anthocyanin extracts added to films have been extensively studied, there remains a sparsity of research pertaining to the miscibility of blended films. This work focused on the miscibility of the chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CP) film caused by the addition of Aronia melanocarpa extracts (AME), which are rich anthocyanins and phenolic acids, and its effect on physicochemical and functional properties. AME facilitated the amidation reaction and ionic interaction of chitosan in CP films, leading to loss of the crystallinity degree of chitosan. Furthermore, the crystal disruption promoted the formation of hydrogen bonds with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with the promoted miscibility. CP film incorporated with 8 % AME possessed the highest tensile strength (26.79 MPa), and elongation at break (66.38 %) as well as excellent ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light barrier property, water vapor barrier properties, due to its high miscibility degree. Moreover, this film also showed excellent antioxidant, antibacterial activity, and pH response function, which could be used to monitor the storage of highly perishable shrimp. Hence, the AME provided extra functionality and improved miscibility between chitosan and PVA, which showed great potential for the preparation of high-performance bioactive-fortified and intelligent food packaging films.

The Influence of a Polyphenol-Rich Red Berry Fruit Juice on Recovery Process and Leg Strength Capacity after Six Days of Intensive Endurance Exercise in Recreational Endurance Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Various nutritional strategies are increasingly used in sports to reduce oxidative stress and promote recovery. Chokeberry is rich in polyphenols and can reduce oxidative stress. Consequently, chokeberry juices and mixed juices with chokeberry content are increasingly used in sports. However, the data are very limited. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of the short-term supplementation of a red fruit juice drink with chokeberry content or a placebo on muscle damage, oxidative status, and leg strength during a six-day intense endurance protocol. METHODS: Eighteen recreational endurance athletes participated in a cross-over high intensity interval training (HIIT) design, receiving either juice or a placebo. Baseline and post-exercise assessments included blood samples, anthropometric data, and leg strength measurements. RESULTS: A significant increase was measured in muscle damage following the endurance protocol in all participants (∆ CK juice: 117.12 ± 191.75 U/L, ∆ CK placebo: 164.35 ± 267.00 U/L; p = 0.001, η2 = 0.17). No group effects were detected in exercise-induced muscle damage (p = 0.371, η2 = 0.010) and oxidative status (p = 0.632, η2 = 0.000). The reduction in strength was stronger in the placebo group, but group effects are missing statistical significance (∆ e1RM juice: 1.34 ± 9.26 kg, ∆ e1RM placebo: -3.33 ± 11.49 kg; p = 0.988, η2 = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Although a reduction in strength can be interpreted for the placebo treatment, no statistically significant influence of chokeberry could be determined. It appears that potential effects may only occur with prolonged application and a higher content of polyphenols, but further research is needed to confirm this.

A red-fleshed apple rich in anthocyanins improves endothelial function, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in hypercholesterolemic subjects: the AppleCOR study.

The study determines the sustained and acute effects of a red-fleshed apple (RFA), rich in anthocyanins (ACNs), a white-fleshed apple (WFA) without ACNs, and an infusion from Aronia melanocarpa (AI) with an equivalent content of ACNs as RFA, on different cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in hypercholesterolemic subjects. A randomized, parallel study was performed for 6 weeks and two dose-response studies were performed at the baseline and after intervention. At 6 weeks, RFA consumption improved ischemic reactive hyperemia and decreased C-reactive protein and interleukine-6 compared to WFA consumption. Moreover, at 6 weeks, AI decreased P-selectin compared to WFA and improved the lipid profile. Three products reduced C1q, C4 and Factor B, and RFA and AI reduced C3. Although both RFA and AI have a similar ACN content, RFA, by a matrix effect, induced more improvements in inflammation, whereas AI improved the lipid profile. Anti-inflammatory protein modulation by proteomic reduction of the complement system and immunoglobulins were verified after WFA, AI and RFA consumption.

Anti-Atherosclerotic Properties of Aronia melanocarpa Extracts Influenced by Their Chemical Composition Associated with the Ripening Stage of the Berries.

The high content of bioactive compounds in Aronia melanocarpa fruit offers health benefits. In this study, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Aronia extracts was assessed. The impact on the level of adhesion molecules and the inflammatory response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was shown in relation to the chemical composition and the stage of ripening of the fruits. Samples were collected between May (green, unripe) and October (red, overripe) on two farms in Poland, which differed in climate. The content of chlorogenic acids, anthocyanins, and carbohydrates in the extracts was determined using HPLC-DAD/RI. The surface expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, IL-6, and MCP-1 were assessed using the quantitative real-time PCR method. The farms' geographical location was associated with the quantity of active compounds in berries and their anti-atherosclerotic properties. Confirmed activity for green fruits was linked to their high chlorogenic acid content.

Quality control and evaluation of Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) by three-wavelength fusion fingerprinting and electrochemical fingerprinting combined with antioxidant activity analysis.

In this study, Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was used as an example to provide reference for improving the safety, efficacy and quality consistency of homologous foods. In this study, two quality markers (Q-markers) of 27 batches of Black chokeberry were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and there were some differences among the 27 samples. Origin B samples had the highest levels of Q-markers for S15, and origin C had lower than average levels overall. Samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by Systematic Quantitative Fingerprinting (SQFM). Subsequently, a three-wavelength fusion analysis (TWFP) was established on the chromatographic data to compensate for the lack of a single wavelength. Fourteen batches of TWFP samples were rated at Level 5 or above in the SQFM assessment, indicating that there is some variation in the content of samples from different origins. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to observe the differences in chemical composition and content of TWFP samples. Subsequently, electrochemical fingerprinting (ECFP) was established and nine characteristic parameters were recorded, showing that the samples were suppressed for all electrochemical Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillation systems (B-Z oscillation systems). Finally, antioxidant tests were performed using DPPH. The antioxidant capacity was predicted using Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis with R2Y = 0.84, Q2 = 0.77, a good model fit and accurate prediction. The fingerprint-potency relationship between IC50-peak area showed that 17 of the 19 shared peaks were negatively correlated, indicating that 17 peaks contributed significantly to the antioxidant. The methods established in this study for the determination of TWFP and ECFP, as well as the spectral relationships with peak area and IC50, can be used for the quality inspection and antioxidant capacity test of Black chokeberry, which provides a new research direction for improving the quality standard of medicinal and foodstuffs.

Comprehensive Utilization Technology of Aronia melanocarpa.

Aronia melanocarpa fruit contains a variety of active ingredients, such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, etc. Relevant in vivo and in vitro studies have concluded that it has beneficial effects in terms of treating dyslipidemia, hypertension, glucose metabolism disorders, etc. This article discusses the nutritional value and food processing of Aronia melanocarpa and reviews the chemical components of Aronia melanocarpa and the pharmacological activities of related substances in order to summarize the chemical characteristics of the fruit and its development prospects. The process optimization of juice production, the impact of antioxidant capacity, and the comprehensive utilization of pomace in feed are discussed. This article provides a reference for future comprehensive application research and product development of Aronia melanocarpa.

Enzymatic extraction of anthocyanins from the pomace of aronia (Aronia melanocarpa).

Efficient extraction of natural pigments is a key focus in enhancing the utilization of by-products for applications in the food industry. In this study, an enzymatic extraction method using Pectinex Ultra SP-L, Pectinex XXL, Novoshape, and Celluclast was used to investigate natural pigment production from the pomace of aronia, a commercially important plant. The method's performance was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection by measuring total and individual anthocyanin levels. Pectinex XXL (0.5%) yielded the highest total anthocyanin extraction (2082.41 ± 85.69 mg/100 g) in the single enzyme treatment, followed by Pectinex Ultra SP-L (0.05%), Celluclast (0.01%), and Novoshape (0.1%). Combining Pectinex XXL (0.25%) with Celluclast (0.01%) increased the extraction ratio of total anthocyanins (2 323.04 ± 61.32 mg/100 g) by ∼50.7% compared with that obtained using the solvent extraction method. This study demonstrated an effective enzymatic extraction method for application in the food industry.

Interindividual differences in aronia juice tolerability linked to gut microbiome and metabolome changes-secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention trial.

BACKGROUND: Aronia melanocarpa is a berry rich in polyphenols known for health benefits. However, the bioavailability of polyphenols has been questioned, and the individual taste acceptance of the fruit with its specific flavor varies. We recently observed substantial differences in the tolerability of aronia juice among healthy females, with half of the individuals tolerating aronia juice without complaints. Given the importance of the gut microbiome in food digestion, we investigated in this secondary analysis of the randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05432362) if aronia juice tolerability was associated with changes in intestinal microbiota and bacterial metabolites, seeking for potential mechanistic insights into the impact on aronia polyphenol tolerance and metabolic outcomes. RESULTS: Forty females were enrolled for this 6-week trial, receiving either 100 ml natural aronia juice (verum, V) twice daily or a polyphenol-free placebo (P) with a similar nutritional profile, followed by a 6-week washout. Within V, individuals were categorized into those who tolerated the juice well (Vt) or reported complaints (Vc). The gut microbiome diversity, as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing, remained unaltered in Vc but changed significantly in Vt. A MICOM-based flux balance analysis revealed pronounced differences in the 40 most predictive metabolites post-intervention. In Vc carbon-dioxide, ammonium and nine O-glycans were predicted due to a shift in microbial composition, while in Vt six bile acids were the most likely microbiota-derived metabolites. NMR metabolomics of plasma confirmed increased lipoprotein subclasses (LDL, VLDL) post-intervention, reverting after wash out. Stool samples maintained a stable metabolic profile. CONCLUSION: In linking aronia polyphenol tolerance to gut microbiota-derived metabolites, our study explores adaptive processes affecting lipoprotein profiles during high polyphenol ingestion in Vt and examines effects on mucosal gut health in response to intolerance to high polyphenol intake in Vc. Our results underpin the importance of individualized hormetic dosing for beneficial polyphenol effects, demonstrate dynamic gut microbiome responses to aronia juice, and emphasize personalized responses in polyphenol interventions.

Influence of lactic acid fermentation on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activities, and volatile compounds of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) juice.

Lactic acid fermentation is an effective method for improving the quality of black chokeberry. This study aimed to investigate the influence of lactic acid bacteria on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activities, and volatiles of black chokeberry juice. Initially, 107  cfu/mL of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus were inoculated into pasteurized black chokeberry juice and fermented for 48 h at 37°C. All these strains enhanced the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, with La. acidophilus showing the highest total phenolic (1683.64 mg/L) and total flavonoid (659.27 mg/L) contents. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were identified using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The prevalent phenolic acid, flavonoid, and anthocyanin in the lactic-acid-fermented black chokeberry juice were cinnamic acid, rutin, and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, respectively. Furthermore, following fermentation, the DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacity, as well as the reducing power capacity, increased from 59.98% to 92.70%, 83.06% to 94.95%, and 1.24 to 1.82, respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the transformation of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins probably contributed to enhancing antioxidant activities and color conversation in black chokeberry juice. A total of 40 volatiles were detected in the fermented black chokeberry juice by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry. The off-flavor odors, such as 1-penten-3-one and propanal in the black chokeberry juice, were weakened after fermentation. The content of 2-pentanone significantly increased in all fermented juice, imparting an ethereal flavor. Hence, lactic acid fermentation can effectively enhance black chokeberry products' flavor and prebiotic value, offering valuable insights into their production. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The application of lactic acid bacteria in black chokeberry juice not only enhances its flavor but also improves its health benefits. This study has expanded the range of black chokeberry products and offers a new perspective for the development of the black chokeberry industry.

Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott 1821 Extract Has Moderate Ameliorative Influence on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Gentamicin-Induced Nephropathy in Wistar Rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Nephrotoxicity refers to the impairments of the kidneys caused by the use of GM and can result in decreased kidney function and in severe cases, kidney failure. Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME), also known as the black chokeberry, has been used for its protective effects on the kidneys. AME concentration of 3.38 mg/kg (max antioxidant activity in vitro) was used to determine its effectiveness against induced nephropathy during 30 days. GM treatment caused significant hypoalbuminemia and high values of globulins, creatinine, and urea compared to the control group. GM application lead to hemolysis occurrence, echinocytosis, and platelets aggregation. Significantly high values of segmented neutrophils and low values of non-segmented neutrophils were recorded in the blood of rats treated with chokeberry extract (AME). In the pre-treatment (AME + GM), severe hypochromic anemia and a significant improvement in hematological parameters, as well as a reduction of anemia in the post-treatment (GM + AME), were noted. Post-treatment AME also significantly regulates urea and creatinine values. Statistically significantly low hemoglobin values were found in all groups treated with AME. Current study suggests that compounds in the AME have a moderate beneficial effect against renal injury and anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect the kidneys from injury caused by GM.

Src Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activity of Black Chokeberry and Bilberry Fruit Extracts Rich in Chlorogenic Acid.

Edible berries such as the fruits of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) are considered to be rich in phenolic compounds, which are nowadays attracting great interest due to their promising health benefits. The main objective of our study was to investigate, for the first time, their inhibitory properties on Src tyrosine kinase activity, as this enzyme plays an important role in multiple cellular processes and is activated in both cancer and inflammatory cells. In hydroethanolic fruit extracts, 5.0-5.9% of total polyphenols were determined spectrophotometrically, including high amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. HPLC analysis revealed that the black chokeberry and bilberry extracts contained 2.05 mg/g and 2.54 mg/g of chlorogenic acid, respectively. Using a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay, the extracts studied were found to have comparable inhibitory effects on Src tyrosine kinase, with IC50 values of 366 µg/mL and 369 µg/mL, respectively. The results also indicated that chlorogenic acid contributes significantly to the observed effect. In addition, both fruit extracts exhibited antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH and NO radicals with SC50 values of 153-352 µg/mL. Our study suggested that black chokeberry and bilberry fruits may be beneficial in cancer and other inflammation-related diseases.

Antibacterial and anticancer activities of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles using Photinia glabra fruit extract.

Aims: We prepared Photinia glabra (PG) aqueous fruit extract, utilized it to synthesize silver nanoparticles (PG-Ag NPs) and evaluated the antibacterial and anticancer activities of the nanoparticles (NPs). Materials & methods: Silver nitrate aqueous solution was reduced to PG-Ag NPs using aqueous PG fruit extract. NP shape, size, composition and functionalization were determined using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction. Results & conclusions: PG-Ag NPs were spherical, approximately 39-77 nm-sized, functionalized surfaces with notable antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with an MIC <30 ug/ml and cytotoxicity toward esophageal cancer cells, with IC50 values less than 20 ug/ml. PG-Ag@rt NPs have been shown to be a potent antibacterial and anticancer agent, and their enriched particle surfaces can be conjugated with other compounds for multibiomedical applications.

The present study reports for the first time the preparation of Photinia glabra (PG) aqueous fruit extract and its use for the synthesis of smaller silver particles (PG-Ag NPs) from bulk aqueous silver nitrate solution (AgNO₃). The preparation followed the reduction ability of PG fruit extract phytochemical under different preparation conditions: at room temperature (PG-Ag@rt), at 70°C (PG-Ag@70) and in the presence of cerium oxide at 70°C (PG-Ag+CeO₂@70). The prepared smaller particles were found using transmission electron microscopy to be spherical in shape with sizes 39, 77 and 44 nm for PG-Ag@rt, PG-Ag@70 and PG-Ag+CeO₂@70, respectively. The NPs contained different functional groups on their surfaces due to the capping ability of PG fruit extract components. Among all, PG-Ag@rt NPs showed strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC 7.0 µg/ml and 28.0 µg/ml, respectively, and commendable anticancer activity toward Eca-109 cancer cells with IC₅₀ less than 20 ug/ml.

The Protective Potential of Aronia melanocarpa L. Berry Extract against Cadmium-Induced Kidney Damage: A Study in an Animal Model of Human Environmental Exposure to This Toxic Element.

The impact of cadmium (Cd) on the function and structure of the kidney and the potential protective effect of an extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries were investigated in a rat model of low- and moderate-level environmental exposure to this heavy metal (1 and 5 mg Cd/kg feed for up to 24 months). The sensitive biomarkers of Cd-induced damage to the kidney tubules (N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in the urine), clinically relevant early markers of glomerular damage (albumin in the urine and creatinine clearance), and other markers of the general functional status of this organ (urea, uric acid, and total protein in the serum and/or urine) and Cd concentration in the urine, were evaluated. The morphological structure of the kidney and inflammatory markers (chemerin, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP1a), and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax)) were also estimated. Low-level and moderate exposure to Cd led to damage to the function and structure of the kidney tubules and glomeruli. The co-administration of A. melanocarpa berry extract significantly protected against the injurious impact of this toxic element. In conclusion, even low-level, long-term exposure to Cd poses a risk of kidney damage, whereas an intake of Aronia berry products may effectively protect from this outcome.

Protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa juice against acrylamide-induced cellular toxicity.

Acrylamide (AA) a widely used industrial chemical is also formed during food processing by the Maillard reaction, which makes its exposure to humans almost unavoidable. In this study, we used Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism to investigate AA toxicity (10 or 20 mM concentration) in eukaryotes. In S. pombe, AA delays cell growth causes oxidative stress by enhancement of ROS production and triggers excitement of the antioxidant defence system resulting in the division arrest. Aronia fruit contains a variety of health-promoting substances with considerable antioxidant potential. Therefore, Aronia juice supplementation was tested to evaluate its protective effect against AA-derived perturbations of the organism. Cell treatment with several Aronia juice concentrations ranging from 0 to 2% revealed the best protective effect of 1 or 2% Aronia juice solutions. Both chosen Aronia juice concentrations alleviated AA toxicity through the improvement of the antioxidant cell capacity and metabolic activity by their strong ROS scavenging property. Efficiency of Aronia juice cell protection is dose dependent as the 2% solution led to significantly higher cellular defence compared with 1%. Due to the high similarity of biological processes of S. pombe with higher eukaryotes, the protective effect of Aronia juice against AA toxicity might also apply to higher organisms.

The effect of high-power ultrasound pretreatment on drying efficiency and bioactive compounds of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.).

Chokeberry (aronia) fruit is a rich source of bioactive compounds with various health benefits. However, it has a limited shelf life and a firm (tight) structure that makes it difficult for moisture transfer during drying. Therefore, the aim of the study is to investigate the effects of high-power ultrasound pretreatment (550 W, 30 min) and air drying temperature (65, 70 and 75 °C) on the drying rate and bioactive compounds of chokeberry fruit. Accordingly, chokeberries were dried directly or after ultrasound pretreatment, and the retention rate of bioactive properties, i.e., total phenolic, flavonoid and monomeric anthocyanin contents along with antioxidant capacity values, were examined. The required time for drying as well as the activation energy values were significantly lower in ultrasound treated samples. Logarithmic and Midilli models exhibited the best fit for drying kinetics of samples. The pretreatment led to significantly lower moisture content and aw values. Compared to fresh sample, the highest retention rate for some bioactive properties was found in ultrasound pretreated sample dried at 75 °C. The ultrasonication also reduced the electricity consumption (kWh) in all temperature levels of drying operations. As a conclusion, the ultrasound pretreatment prior to drying had dual role by facilitating drying kinetics and by providing higher bioactive contents.

Potential Benefits of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Fruits and Their Constituents in Improving Human Health.

Aronia berry (black chokeberry) is a shrub native to North America, of which the fresh fruits are used in the food industry to produce different types of dietary products. The fruits of Aronia melanocarpa (Aronia berries) have been found to show multiple bioactivities potentially beneficial to human health, including antidiabetic, anti-infective, antineoplastic, antiobesity, and antioxidant activities, as well as heart-, liver-, and neuroprotective effects. Thus far, phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, cyanidins, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, triterpenoids, and their analogues have been identified as the major active components of Aronia berries. These natural products possess potent antioxidant activity, which contributes to the majority of the other bioactivities observed for Aronia berries. The chemical components and the potential pharmaceutical or health-promoting effects of Aronia berries have been summarized previously. The present review article focuses on the molecular targets of extracts of Aronia berries and the examples of promising lead compounds isolated from these berries, including cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and ursolic acid. In addition, presented herein are clinical trial investigations for Aronia berries and their major components, including cancer clinical trials for chlorogenic acid and COVID-19 trial studies for quercetin. Additionally, the possible development of Aronia berries and their secondary metabolites as potential therapeutic agents is discussed. It is hoped that this contribution will help stimulate future investigations on Aronia berries for the continual improvement of human health.

The effects of Aronia berry (poly)phenol supplementation on arterial function and the gut microbiome in middle aged men and women: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Berry (poly)phenol consumption has been associated with cardioprotective benefits, however little is known on the role the gut microbiome may play on such health benefits. Our objective was to investigate the effects of aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiome richness and composition in prehypertensive middle-aged men and women. METHODS: A total of 102 prehypertensive participants were included in a parallel 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers were randomly allocated to daily consume an encapsulated (poly)phenol-rich aronia berry extract (Aronia, n = 51) or a matched maltodextrin placebo (Control, n = 51). Blood pressure (BP) and arterial function (office and 24 h), endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilation), serum biochemistry (including blood lipids), plasma and urine (poly)phenol metabolites as well as gut microbiome composition through shotgun metagenomic sequencing were monitored over the study period. Relationships between vascular outcomes, (poly)phenol metabolites and gut microbiome were investigated using an integrated multi-levels approach. RESULTS: A significant improvement in arterial indices measured as augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was found in the Aronia compared to Control group (awake Δ PWV = -0.24 m/s; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.01 m/s, P < 0.05; 24 h peripheral Δ AIx = -6.8; -11.2, -2.3, %, P = 0.003; 24 h central Δ AIx = -3.3; -5.5, -1.0, %, P = 0.006). No changes in BP, endothelial function or blood lipids were found following the intervention. Consumption of aronia (poly)phenols led to a significant increase in gut microbiome gene richness and in the abundance of butyrate-producing species such as Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens species, compared to Control group. Results from an approach including metabolomic, metagenomic and clinical outcomes highlighted associations between aronia-derived phenolic metabolites, arterial stiffness, and gut microbiome. CONCLUSIONS: Aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption improved arterial function in prehypertensive middle-aged individuals, possibly via modulation of gut microbiome richness and composition based on the associations observed between these parameters. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-randomized trial records held on the NIH ClinicalTrials.gov website (NCT03434574). Aronia Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure.

Encapsulation of anthocyanin-rich extract from black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace by spray drying using different coating materials.

Anthocyanin-rich extract obtained from black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace was microencapsulated with spray drying by using different wall materials, i.e., maltodextrin with dextrose equivalent 6 (MD6), maltodextrin with dextrose equivalent 20 (MD20) and the combination of MD20 with gum Arabic (MD : GA, 15 : 5 w/w), whey protein isolate (MD : WPI, 19 : 1 w/w), and xanthan gum (MD : XG, 19.5 : 0.5 w/w). Spray drying conditions were chosen as follows: inlet temperature of 150 °C, outlet temperature of 90 °C, 4.5 mL min-1 feed flow rate, 0.357 m3 h-1 air flow rate, and an aspirator capacity of 100%. Physicochemical characteristics of the powders such as moisture content, particle size, capsule morphology, color, spray drying yield, encapsulation efficiency, total anthocyanin content, total and individual phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity were investigated. With all the parameters evaluated, MD : GA wall material provided better results particularly in terms of production yield and encapsulation efficiency. To conclude, black chokeberry by-product can be used as a source of polyphenols to produce value-added colored powders with bioactive properties which might have the potential to be used in food, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries.

Aronia melanocarpa Anthocyanin Extracts Improve Hepatic Structure and Function in High-Fat Diet-/Streptozotocin-Induced T2DM Mice.

Anthocyanins can prevent and ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its mechanism of action has not been fully established. IKK/NF-κB and JAK/Stat pathways have multiple effects, triggering T2DM. Liver abnormalities in individuals with T2DM are detrimental to glycemic control. We determined whether anthocyanins could improve the liver of individuals with T2DM using IKK/NF-κB and JAK/Stat. We established a T2DM mouse model using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin and then performed Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanin extracts' (AMAEs') administration for 5 weeks. AMAEs improved blood glucose and hyperinsulinemia of T2DM mice. In the liver of AMAE-administered T2DM mice, ROS, IKKß/NF-κB p65, and JAK2/Stat3/5B signalings were down-regulated, thereby reducing the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), iNOS, and inflammatory mediators. AMAE-improved hyperinsulinemia also down-regulated SOCS3 by decreasing p-Stat5B in hepatocytes. AMAEs enhanced glucose uptake and conversion and decreased hepatocyte enlargement and inflammatory cells in the liver of T2DM mice. These indicated that AMAEs could alleviate oxidative stress, insulin resistance, inflammation, and tissue damage in the liver of T2DM mice through inhibiting NF-κB p65 and Stat3/5B.