| Blackberry Benefits - Antioxidants |
BLACKBERRY
Blackberry (subgenus Eubatus) belongs to Rosaceae family, closely
related to strawberry in the subfamily Rosoideae. Its bark of the root and
leaves contains high contents of tannin. This bark is believed to have
health benefits on dysentery and diarrhea.
It fruits are aggregate fruits, which means they are formed by the
aggregation of several smaller fruits, called drupelets. The drupelets are
all attached to a receptacle, and this receptacle is the fibrous central core
of the fruit. [2] These drupelets contain malic and citric acid, pectin and
albumin. [1]
RESEARCH STUDIES
Researchers determined quantitatively on the flavonoids, tannins and
ellagic acid in the leaves from wild and cultivated variations of Rubus L.
species (Rosaceae): raspberry (2 wild and 13 cultivars) and blackberry (3
wild and 3 cultivars). They found that flavonoid content was higher for
the blackberry leaves than for the raspberry leaves and varied between
0.46% and 1.05%. They also found that all the samples had high
contents of quercetin, kaempferol, ellagic acid and tannins.
ANTI-OXIDANT CONTENT
Oxidative damage is related to the development of several diseases. An
improved antioxidant defense may therefore protect against these
diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that blackberry contains
various antioxidants. These antioxidants may represent an important
contribution to blackberry health benefits.
In an in vitro study, scientists assessed the total amount of antioxidants
in blackberry by the "ferric-reducing ability of plasma" assay, a method
that measures the sum total of all antioxidants above a reference redox
potential. The results are in accordance with studies in experimental
animals demonstrating beneficial effect against some chronic diseases.
[3] In a study of 11 cultivars, researchers found huge variation of the
antioxidants among these 11 cultivars. Total anthocyanins for 11
blackberry cultivars ranged from 131 to 256 mg/100 g FW (mean = 198),
total phenolics ranged from 682 to 1056 mg GAE/100 g FW (mean = 900),
oxygen radical absorbance capacity ranged from 37.6 to 75.5 micromol
TE/g FW (mean = 50.2), and ferric reducing antioxidant power ranged
from 63.5 to 91.5 micromol TE/g FW (mean = 77.5). In addition, their total
antioxidant activity was found to increase with ripening. Total
anthocyanin pigments increased from 74.7 to 317 mg/100 g fresh weight
(FW) from under-ripe to overripe for Marion blackberries and from 69.9 to
164 mg/100 g FW for Evergreen blackberries. [4]
INFLAMMATION PROTECTION
Researchers have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of anthocyanins
contained in blackberry extract (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside represents about
80% of the total anthocyanin contents) in an experimental model of lung
inflammation induced by carrageenan in rats.
They found that anthocyanins (10, 30 mg kg(-1) 30 min before
carrageenan) could attenuated all parameters of inflammation in a dose-
dependent manner. Thus, the beneficial effects of blackberry may be
related to its strong anti-oxidant activities. [7]
ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITIES
Researchers found that commercial blackberry may have benefits on
fighting bacteria. Commercial blackberry cordials inhibited the growth of
Mycobacterium phlei while the fresh blackberry inhibited the growth of
varying numbers of bacteria. [8]
BENEFITS ON ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTIONS
Italian researchers demonstrated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside represents
about 80% of the total anthocyanin contents in blackberry extract using
HPLC/ESI/MS. They found that that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside of the
blackberry juice is a scavenger of peroxynitrite and that exert a
protective benefits against endothelial dysfunction and vascular failure
induced by peroxynitrite. [9]
PHARMACOKINETICS
Anthocyanins are absorbed in stomach and small intestine. However,
anthocyanins are quickly metabolized and excreted into bile and urine as
intact glycosides as well as methylated forms and glucuronidated
derivatives. [6]
REFERENCES
[1] Mrs. M. Grieve, Blackberry, Botanical.com Online publication, September 20,
2005.
[2] Blackberries and Raspberries (Rubus spp.) Mark RiegerÂ’s Fruit Crop, The
University of Georgia, September 20, 2005. [3] Blomhoff R, Antioxidants and
oxidative stress, Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Jun 17;124(12):1643-5. [4]
Siriwoharn T et al, Influence of cultivar, maturity, and sampling on blackberry
(Rubus L. Hybrids) anthocyanins, polyphenolics, and antioxidant properties. J Agric
Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):8021-30. [5] Gudej J Determination of
flavonoids, tannins and ellagic acid in leaves from Rubus L. species. Arch Pharm
Res. 2004 Nov;27(11):1114-9. [6] Talavera S et al, Anthocyanins are efficiently
absorbed from the small intestine in rats. J Nutr. 2004 Sep;134(9):2275-9. [7]
Rossi A et al, Protective effects of anthocyanins from blackberry in a rat model of
acute lung inflammation. Free Radic Res. 2003 Aug;37(8):891-900. [8] Cavanagh
HM et al, Antibacterial activity of berry fruits used for culinary purposes. J Med
Food. 2003 Spring;6(1):57-61. [9] Serraino I et al, Protective effects of cyanidin-3-
O-glucoside from blackberry extract against peroxynitrite-induced endothelial
dysfunction and vascular failure. Life Sci.
2003 Jul 18;73(9):1097-114.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 zhion DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S) NOR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.
Blackberry (subgenus Eubatus) belongs to Rosaceae family, closely
related to strawberry in the subfamily Rosoideae. Its bark of the root and
leaves contains high contents of tannin. This bark is believed to have
health benefits on dysentery and diarrhea.
It fruits are aggregate fruits, which means they are formed by the
aggregation of several smaller fruits, called drupelets. The drupelets are
all attached to a receptacle, and this receptacle is the fibrous central core
of the fruit. [2] These drupelets contain malic and citric acid, pectin and
albumin. [1]
RESEARCH STUDIES
Researchers determined quantitatively on the flavonoids, tannins and
ellagic acid in the leaves from wild and cultivated variations of Rubus L.
species (Rosaceae): raspberry (2 wild and 13 cultivars) and blackberry (3
wild and 3 cultivars). They found that flavonoid content was higher for
the blackberry leaves than for the raspberry leaves and varied between
0.46% and 1.05%. They also found that all the samples had high
contents of quercetin, kaempferol, ellagic acid and tannins.
ANTI-OXIDANT CONTENT
Oxidative damage is related to the development of several diseases. An
improved antioxidant defense may therefore protect against these
diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that blackberry contains
various antioxidants. These antioxidants may represent an important
contribution to blackberry health benefits.
In an in vitro study, scientists assessed the total amount of antioxidants
in blackberry by the "ferric-reducing ability of plasma" assay, a method
that measures the sum total of all antioxidants above a reference redox
potential. The results are in accordance with studies in experimental
animals demonstrating beneficial effect against some chronic diseases.
[3] In a study of 11 cultivars, researchers found huge variation of the
antioxidants among these 11 cultivars. Total anthocyanins for 11
blackberry cultivars ranged from 131 to 256 mg/100 g FW (mean = 198),
total phenolics ranged from 682 to 1056 mg GAE/100 g FW (mean = 900),
oxygen radical absorbance capacity ranged from 37.6 to 75.5 micromol
TE/g FW (mean = 50.2), and ferric reducing antioxidant power ranged
from 63.5 to 91.5 micromol TE/g FW (mean = 77.5). In addition, their total
antioxidant activity was found to increase with ripening. Total
anthocyanin pigments increased from 74.7 to 317 mg/100 g fresh weight
(FW) from under-ripe to overripe for Marion blackberries and from 69.9 to
164 mg/100 g FW for Evergreen blackberries. [4]
INFLAMMATION PROTECTION
Researchers have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of anthocyanins
contained in blackberry extract (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside represents about
80% of the total anthocyanin contents) in an experimental model of lung
inflammation induced by carrageenan in rats.
They found that anthocyanins (10, 30 mg kg(-1) 30 min before
carrageenan) could attenuated all parameters of inflammation in a dose-
dependent manner. Thus, the beneficial effects of blackberry may be
related to its strong anti-oxidant activities. [7]
ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITIES
Researchers found that commercial blackberry may have benefits on
fighting bacteria. Commercial blackberry cordials inhibited the growth of
Mycobacterium phlei while the fresh blackberry inhibited the growth of
varying numbers of bacteria. [8]
BENEFITS ON ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTIONS
Italian researchers demonstrated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside represents
about 80% of the total anthocyanin contents in blackberry extract using
HPLC/ESI/MS. They found that that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside of the
blackberry juice is a scavenger of peroxynitrite and that exert a
protective benefits against endothelial dysfunction and vascular failure
induced by peroxynitrite. [9]
PHARMACOKINETICS
Anthocyanins are absorbed in stomach and small intestine. However,
anthocyanins are quickly metabolized and excreted into bile and urine as
intact glycosides as well as methylated forms and glucuronidated
derivatives. [6]
REFERENCES
[1] Mrs. M. Grieve, Blackberry, Botanical.com Online publication, September 20,
2005.
[2] Blackberries and Raspberries (Rubus spp.) Mark RiegerÂ’s Fruit Crop, The
University of Georgia, September 20, 2005. [3] Blomhoff R, Antioxidants and
oxidative stress, Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Jun 17;124(12):1643-5. [4]
Siriwoharn T et al, Influence of cultivar, maturity, and sampling on blackberry
(Rubus L. Hybrids) anthocyanins, polyphenolics, and antioxidant properties. J Agric
Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):8021-30. [5] Gudej J Determination of
flavonoids, tannins and ellagic acid in leaves from Rubus L. species. Arch Pharm
Res. 2004 Nov;27(11):1114-9. [6] Talavera S et al, Anthocyanins are efficiently
absorbed from the small intestine in rats. J Nutr. 2004 Sep;134(9):2275-9. [7]
Rossi A et al, Protective effects of anthocyanins from blackberry in a rat model of
acute lung inflammation. Free Radic Res. 2003 Aug;37(8):891-900. [8] Cavanagh
HM et al, Antibacterial activity of berry fruits used for culinary purposes. J Med
Food. 2003 Spring;6(1):57-61. [9] Serraino I et al, Protective effects of cyanidin-3-
O-glucoside from blackberry extract against peroxynitrite-induced endothelial
dysfunction and vascular failure. Life Sci.
2003 Jul 18;73(9):1097-114.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 zhion DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S) NOR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.
| What does Blackberry mean to you- RIM BlackBerry 7230 Phone (T-Mobile) or a plant called bramble that grows abundantly in Australia. |
Photo by Scott Bauer ARS
USDA
USDA
| When USDA blackberry breeders introduced the first truly genetic thornless blackberries, Thornfree and Smoothstem, they caused a small roadside revolution. The new varieties were just what some growers needed to establish pick-your-own operations. -- USDA Online Publication December 05 2006. |
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Acetyl-L Carnitine
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Chromium
CLA
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Colostrum
Dandelion
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eve. Primrose Oil
Fish Oil
Flaxseed
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginkgo Biloba
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Gotu Kola
Guar Gum
Hyaluronic acid
Lecithin
Lycopene
Milk Thistle
Nattokinase
Passion Flower
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Polycosanol
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