ISHS Acta Horticulturae 744: I International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND BREEDING OF AMERICAN CRANBERRY FOR INCREASED HEALTH BENEFITS |
| Authors: | E.L. Zeldin, B.H. McCown, C.G. Krueger, J.D. Reed |
| Keywords: | Vaccinium macrocarpon, anthocyanin, proanthocyanin, oligomeric pigment, cardiovascular health, FH swine |
| Abstract:
The American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocapron) has been increasingly researched for its health properties in recent years. At the University of Wisconsin we have approached both the breeding and the characterization of the complex flavonoid constituents of the fruit. ‘HyRed’, the first patented cranberry cultivar, has been bred for early and intense fruit color, due to elevated levels of anthocyanins. A detailed examination of the polyphenolics of ‘HyRed’ revealed oligomeric anthocyanins and a class of pigmented proanthocyanidin (PA) oligomers, similar to compounds found in grape skins and red wines, respectively. The structural heterogeneity of pigments found in cranberry fruit analyzed by chromatography/mass spectroscopy was found to be much greater than previously described. Mass spectra provided evidence for a series of compounds corresponding to cyanidin and peonidin hexoses and pentoses linked to each other or to PA’s, either directly or through a CH3-CH bridge. The anthocyanin-polyflavan-3-ol oligomers also show structural variation in the nature of the interflavan bond (A-type vs. B-type). The biochemical characterization of cranberry fruit during ripening and processing is critical to the development of standardized properties for urinary tract anti-infection, cardiovascular and other health properties associated with cranberries; as well as for further genetic improvement of the fruit for increased health benefits. We are currently using familial hypercholinesterolemic (FH) swine as a model system for testing cardiovascular health benefits of whole fresh ‘Hyred’ cranberries and initial results demonstrated an average drop of LDL of 21%. The studies are being expanded to include in vivo ultrasound imaging and ex vivo endothelium dependent relaxation to measure differences in vascular function of control and ‘HyRed’-fed FH swine as a consequence of cranberry consumption. | |
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