The potential impact of strawberry on human health.

The strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa, Duch.) represents a relevant source of micronutrients, such as minerals, vitamin C, folate and phenolic substances, most of which are natural antioxidants and contribute to the high nutritional quality of the fruit. All these compounds are essential for health and, in particular, strawberry phenolics are best known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, and possess directly and indirectly antimicrobial, anti-allergy and anti-hypertensive properties, as well as the capacity to inhibit the activities of some physiological enzymes and receptor properties. The main objective of this article is to review and update the current knowledge on the potential impact of the strawberry on human health, with particular attention on compounds and their possible mechanisms of action.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of several monofloral Cuban honeys and their correlation with color, polyphenol content and other chemical compounds.

Several monofloral Cuban honeys were analyzed to determine their total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, amino acid, protein and carotenoid contents as well as their radical-scavenging activity and antimicrobial capacities. The total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid contents varied considerably, and the highest values were obtained for Linen vine (Govania polygama (Jack) Urb) honey, which is classified as an amber honey. The highest amino acid content was found in Morning glory (Ipomoea triloba L.) while Liven vine had the highest protein content. Similarly Linen vine honey had the highest antioxidant activity while the lowest was found in Christmas vine (Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf). Ascorbic acid was absent. Hydroxyl radical formation was studied by EPR and spin trapping, and it was found in all honeys tested. The antimicrobial activity was screened using two Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. S. aureus was the most sensitive microorganism while Pseudomonas aeruginosa presented higher minimum active dilution values. Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were both moderately sensitive to honey antimicrobial activity. A correlation between radical-scavenging activity and total phenolic content was found. Correlation existed also between color vs phenolics content, vs flavonoid content or between phenolic vs flavonoid.

Improved HPLC column-switching determination of Coenzyme Q and Vitamin E in plasma.

A novel isocratic modified column-switching HPLC method for automated quantitative analysis of Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q, in the reduced and oxidized form, is described. Many column-switching HPLC methods are found in the literature, also for determining antioxidant substances, but we developed a different system of column-switching. An empty column, 5 cm long, was connected to the switching valve, before the sample loop and the extraction column. The sample loop was connected directly after the empty column. The inserted column, containing about 1.4 ml of the extraction eluent simulated a gradient elution, enhancing sensitivity and resolution. When switching the columns, the empty column is placed right before the extraction column and acts as a static mixer for the extraction phase and the incoming analytical phase. Samples were cleaned from interfering compounds by transfer onto a extraction-column, using a C-8 silica. Separation was performed onto an analytical column C18 3 m icrom, 150 mm x 4.6 mm at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with 20 mmol/l lithium perchlorate/perchloric acid, pH3.0 in Ethanol as analytical eluent. Detection was performed with a ESA Coulochem 5100 A model. The method was found to be suitable for automated analysis of Coenzyme Q, reduced and oxidized form, and Vitamin E in serum.

Folate content in different strawberry genotypes and folate status in healthy subjects after strawberry consumption.

Folate is a micronutrient essential in a variety of biological processes, and an adequate dietary folate intake seems to play a crucial role in health promotion and disease prevention. The importance of strawberry as a natural food source of folate has been recognised only recently, and few pilot studies have investigated the impact of strawberry intake on human folate status. In this study, firstly, we evaluated the folate content of different commercial varieties (Alba, Irma, Patty, Adria, Sveva) and advanced selections (AN99.78.51; AN94.414.52; AN00.239.55) of strawberry. Significant differences were observed among genotypes, confirming the breeding approach as a reliable tool to increase folate content in strawberry. Secondly, the variety Sveva was selected for a medium-term strawberry consumption study, in order to check if a 2-weeks strawberry intake could have any effects on folate status and plasma homocysteine levels, in healthy subjects. An average 3.4% increase in serum folate was observed, however without any statistical significance, as shown by reference change value of each analyte in each subject. This study should be considered as a first pilot investigation, and further investigations are strongly hoped to evaluate the potential impact of strawberry consumption on human folate status, particularly in the case of a previously diagnosed deficiency.