The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive substances in 19 berry cultivars of edible honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis). A statistical evaluation was used to determine the relationship between the content of selected bioactive substances and individual cultivars. Regarding mineral elements, the content of sodium was measured using potentiometry and spectrophotometry. The content of selected polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity was determined by a HPLC-UV/ED method. The total amount of polyphenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activity was determined using five methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, FR and DMPD) that differ in their principles. The content of 13 amino acids was determined by ion-exchange chromatography. The experimental results obtained for the different cultivars were evaluated and compared by statistical and bioinformatic methods. A unique feature of this study lies in the exhaustive analysis of the chosen parameters (amino acids, mineral elements, polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity) during one growing season.

• MeSH
• Amino Acids analysis   MeSH
• Antioxidants chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Chromatography, Ion Exchange MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Lonicera chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Minerals analysis   MeSH
• Fruit chemistry   MeSH
• Polyphenols analysis   chemistry   MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Amino Acids MeSH
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Minerals MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH

Dry matter, organic acids, ascorbic acid, minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium) and polyphenolic profile of a number of non-traditional fruit species and their genotypes, namely blue honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), black mulberry (Morus nigra), Tomentosa cherry (Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) and jostaberry (Ribes nigrum x Grossularia uva-crispa) were investigated. The results showed that Lonicera genotypes displayed high levels of ascorbic acid and they were rich in minerals, with the cultivar ‘Amfora’ achieving the leading position in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content among all lesser known fruit species. Amelanchier cultivars represented a valuable source of ascorbic acid and calcium, ‘Tišňovský’ and ‘Smoky’ together with Morus nigra ‘Jugoslavska’ accumulated the highest level of examined polyphenolic compounds. Regular consumption of studied less common fruit species can bring health benefits so they can represent a high potential value for fruit growers and in addition they can be utilised as functional foods.

• MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Carboxylic Acids analysis   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Acids, Noncarboxylic analysis   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Lonicera chemistry   MeSH
• Minerals analysis   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Morus chemistry   MeSH
• Nutritive Value * MeSH
• Fruit chemistry   MeSH
• Polyphenols analysis   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Ribes chemistry   MeSH
• Rosaceae chemistry   MeSH
• Plant Extracts analysis   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Prunus chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Carboxylic Acids MeSH
• Acids, Noncarboxylic MeSH
• Minerals MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH
• Plant Extracts MeSH

Functional foods are of interest because of their significant effects on human health, which can be connected with the presence of some biologically important compounds. In this study, we carried out complex analysis of 239 apricot cultivars (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivated in Lednice (climatic area T4), South Moravia, Czech Republic. Almost all previously published studies have focused only on analysis of certain parameters. However, we focused on detection both primary and secondary metabolites in a selection of apricot cultivars with respect to their biological activity. The contents of thirteen biogenic alpha-L-amino acids (arginine, asparagine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, proline and alanine) were determined using ion exchange chromatography with UV-Vis spectrometry detection. Profile of polyphenols, measured as content of ten polyphenols with significant antioxidant properties (gallic acid, procatechinic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, p-coumaric acid, rutin, ferrulic acid and quercetrin), was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with spectrometric/electrochemical detection. Moreover, content of total phenolics was determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was determined using five independent spectrophotometric methods: DPPH assay, DMPD method, ABTS method, FRAP and Free Radicals methods. Considering the complexity of the obtained data, they were processed and correlated using bioinformatics techniques (cluster analysis, principal component analysis). The studied apricot cultivars were clustered according to their common biochemical properties, which has not been done before. The observed similarities and differences were discussed.

• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Amino Acids chemistry   MeSH
• Principal Component Analysis * MeSH
• Antioxidants chemistry   MeSH
• Benzothiazoles chemistry   MeSH
• Biphenyl Compounds chemistry   MeSH
• Gene Pool MeSH
• Sulfonic Acids chemistry   MeSH
• Fruit chemistry   MeSH
• Picrates chemistry   MeSH
• Polyphenols chemistry   MeSH
• Plant Extracts chemistry   MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Prunus chemistry   MeSH
• Free Radicals chemistry   MeSH
• Computational Biology MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl MeSH Browser
• 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid MeSH Browser
• Amino Acids MeSH
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Benzothiazoles MeSH
• Biphenyl Compounds MeSH
• Sulfonic Acids MeSH
• Picrates MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH
• Plant Extracts MeSH
• Free Radicals MeSH

The study of changes of nutritional value of fruit during the ripening process can help estimate the optimal date for fruit harvesting to achieve the best quality for direct consumption and further utilization. The aim of this study was to monitor the changes of chemical composition of medlar fruit (Mespilus germanica L.) measured at five various ripening stages including 134, 144, 154, 164 and 174 days after full bloom (DAFB). Fruits were analyzed and ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenolic compound content with respect to the total antioxidant activity were determined. In addition, selected micronutrients and macronutrients were monitored. The results of our experiments demonstrate that ascorbic acid, total phenolic compound content and total antioxidant activity decreased significantly with increasing time of ripeness. The decreasing tendency in potassium, calcium and magnesium contents during the ripening stages was also determined. During the ripening period, the content of all micronutrients as well as phosphorus and sodium was balanced, with no statistically significant differences between the monitored ripening stages, which can be considered as a positive fact with respect to ideal consumption quality of fruit.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants analysis   MeSH
• Phenols analysis   MeSH
• Rosaceae chemistry   physiology   MeSH
• Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet MeSH
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Phenols MeSH

The aim of this study was to describe behaviour, kinetics, time courses and limitations of the six different fully automated spectrometric methods--DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, DMPD, Free Radicals and Blue CrO5. Absorption curves were measured and absorbance maxima were found. All methods were calibrated using the standard compounds Trolox® and/or gallic acid. Calibration curves were determined (relative standard deviation was within the range from 1.5 to 2.5%). The obtained characteristics were compared and discussed. Moreover, the data obtained were applied to optimize and to automate all mentioned protocols. Automatic analyzer allowed us to analyse simultaneously larger set of samples, to decrease the measurement time, to eliminate the errors and to provide data of higher quality in comparison to manual analysis. The total time of analysis for one sample was decreased to 10 min for all six methods. In contrary, the total time of manual spectrometric determination was approximately 120 min. The obtained data provided good correlations between studied methods (R=0.97-0.99).

• MeSH
• Antioxidants analysis   MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Chromans analysis   MeSH
• Gallic Acid analysis   MeSH
• Automation, Laboratory instrumentation   methods   standards   MeSH
• Reference Standards MeSH
• Spectrum Analysis instrumentation   methods   standards   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid MeSH Browser
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Chromans MeSH
• Gallic Acid MeSH

Research on natural compounds is increasingly focused on their effects on human health. In this study, we were interested in the evaluation of nutritional value expressed as content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of new apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) genotypes resistant against Plum pox virus (PPV) cultivated on Department of Fruit Growing of Mendel University in Brno. Fruits of twenty one apricot genotypes were collected at the onset of consumption ripeness. Antioxidant capacities of the genotypes were determined spectrometrically using DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radicals) scavenging test, TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power)methods. The highest antioxidant capacities were determined in the genotypes LE-3228 and LE-2527, the lowest ones in the LE-985 and LE-994 genotypes. Moreover, close correlation (r = 0.964) was determined between the TEAC and DPPH assays. Based on the antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols content, a clump analysis dendrogram of the monitored apricot genotypes was constructed. In addition, we optimized high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem electrochemical and spectrometric detection and determined phenolic profile consisting of the following fifteen phenolic compounds: gallic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, procatechin, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, the flavonols quercetin and quercitrin, the flavonol glycoside rutin, resveratrol, vanillin, and the isomers epicatechin, (-)- and (+)- catechin.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants analysis   chemistry   MeSH
• Chemistry Techniques, Analytical MeSH
• Phenols analysis   MeSH
• Flavonoids analysis   MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Fruit chemistry   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH
• Free Radical Scavengers chemistry   MeSH
• Prunus chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Agriculture MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Phenols MeSH
• Flavonoids MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH
• Free Radical Scavengers MeSH