Thesis (M.Inst.Agrar)(Land-use Planning))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grape quality is important for the producer, exporter and the consumer. Consumers judge table grapes according to their size, colour, taste and shelf life. The consumer’s prerequisites will influence the producer. Therefore, it is essential to know how the table grape berry develops so that it can be manipulated, favouring the postharvest quality and shelf life. This study was performed on Prime and Crimson Seedless, both grafted onto Ramsey, in the Paarl district of South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe and quantify table grape berry development and compositional changes taking place throughout growth and ripening. The effect of sugar:acid ratio on postharvest shelf life was also evaluated. To evaluate whether berry size influenced the measured development parameters, three berry sizes were induced for both cultivars by using plant bioregulators such as gibberellic acid (GA3) and forchlorfenuron – synthetic cytokinin (CPPU) or girdling. The following sizes were obtained for Prime: (i) small berries (<20 mm) with no treatment, which acted as the control; (ii) medium berries (20-24 mm) obtained by 15 ppm GA3 application at 8 mm berry size; (iii) large berries (>24 mm) obtained by combination of 15 ppm GA3 and 1 ppm CPPU application at 8 mm berry size. Crimson Seedless berry sizes were as follows: (i) small berries (<18 mm) with no treatment, which acted as the control; (ii) medium berries (18-22 mm) treated with 10 ppm GA3 at 7 mm berry size; (iii) large berries (>22 mm) treated with 10 ppm GA3 and vines were girdled at 7 mm berry size. To evaluate the effect of sugar:acid ratio on postharvest shelf life, grapes were stored for five weeks at -0.5 ˚C and another week at 7.5˚C. The bunches were evaluated for loose berries, browning, soft tissue breakdown, decay and berry split. The following components were analysed for both cultivars to determine changes in berry composition throughout the season: berry fresh weight, total soluble solids (TSS), glucose, fructose, titratable acidity (TA), tartaric acid, malic acid, abscisic acid (ABA) and total phenols. Total and individual anthocyanins were analysed for Crimson Seedless. Differences were obtained for the three berry sizes for both cultivars. Véraison, representing the start of ripening, started at the same time in successive seasons: 21 days after pea size berry (5 mm berry diameter) for Prime and 28 days after pea size berry (5 mm berry diameter) for Crimson Seedless. A lag stage was not observed, at seven day sampling intervals, for either of the cultivars. Components such as TSS, glucose, fructose and TA content per berry were influenced by berry size in either one or in both seasons for both cultivars. Significant changes in component concentration were detected at the start of, or around véraison. Sugar concentrations (TSS) already started to increase for both cultivars before the start of véraison. At véraison, concentrations of glucose, fructose and ABA increased while concentrations of TA, tartaric acid, malic acid and total phenols decreased. Total anthocyanins in Crimson Seedless started to increase one week after véraison commenced. The main anthocyanin found in Crimson Seedless was peonidin-3-glucoside. During ripening a 1:1 glucose:fructose ratio was detected in both cultivars. Prime tartaric:malic acid ratio was lower than Crimson Seedless tartaric:malic acid ratio in both seasons. Tartaric acid was the main organic acid found in Prime, while malic acid was the main organic acid found in Crimson Seedless. No significant differences were found in the postharvest defects between the different berry sizes. However, tendencies for differences were observed which led to the assumption that medium size berries were more prone to loose berries in both cultivars. Large berries showed a higher percentage berry split for both cultivars. Crimson Seedless second harvest date took place 24 hours after rainfall which could have very likely led to the higher percentages berry defects compared to the first season. Greater berry decay was found with later harvest dates for both cultivars. No significant differences were found for the TSS:TA ratio between the three berry sizes for both cultivars. Postharvest defects were therefore found not only to be influenced by TSS:TA ratio but rather by harvest date and packing procedures. Environmental conditions prior to harvest also had an impact on postharvest shelf life. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Druif kwaliteit is belangrik vir die produsent, uitvoerder en verbruiker. Tafeldruiwe word gekeur deur die verbruiker volgens grootte, kleur, smaak en raklewe. Die verbruiker se voorkeure sal dus die produsent beïnvloed. Daarom is dit belangrik om te weet hoe tafeldruiwe ontwikkel ten einde korrelsamestelling te manipuleer om na-oes kwaliteit en raklewe te kan bevoordeel. Hierdie studie is uitgevoer op Prime en Crimson Seedless, beide geënt op Ramsey, in die Paarl distrik van Suid Afrika. Die doel van die studie is om vas te stel hoe korrelsamestelling gedurende groei en rypwording verander. Die effek van suiker:suurverhouding op na-oes raklewe is ook geëvalueer. Om te kan meet of korrel grootte die gemete parameter beïnvloed is drie korrelgroottes verkry vir albei kultivars deur die gebruik van plant bioreguleerders, te wete gibbereliensuur (GA3) en sintetiese sitokiniene (CPPU), of ringelering. Die volgende korrelgroottes is verkry vir Prime: (i) klein korrels (<20 mm) d.m.v. geen behandeling, geklassifiseerd as kontrole; (ii) medium korrels (20-24 mm) d.m.v. ‘n 15 dpm GA3 behandeling by 8 mm korrelgrootte; (iii) groot korrels (>24 mm) d.m.v. ‘n kombinasie van 15 dpm GA3 en 1 dpm CPPU by 8 mm korrelgrootte. Crimson Seedless korrelgroottes was soos volg: (i) klein korrels (<18 mm) d.m.v. geen behandeling, wat as kontrole gedien het; (ii) medium korrels (18-22 mm) d.m.v. ‘n 10 dpm GA3 behandeling by 7 mm korrelgrootte; (iii) groot korrels (>22 mm) d.m.v. ‘n 10 dpm GA3 behandeling en gelyktydige ringelering by 7 mm korrelgrootte. Om die effek van suiker:suur verhouding op na-oes houvermoë te kon evalueer was druiwe gestoor vir vyf weke by -0.5˚C en ‘n verdere week by 7˚C. Die trosse is geëvalueer vir loskorrels, verbruining, sagte weefsel afbreek, verval en korrelbars. Die volgende komponente is geanaliseer vir albei kultivars om veranderinge in korrelsamestelling gedurende die seisoen te bepaal: vars korrelgewig, totale oplosbare vaste stowwe (suikerinhoud), glukose, fruktose, titreerbare sure, wynsteensuur, appelsuur, absisiensuur en totale fenole. Die totale en individuele antosianiene is ook vir Crimson Seedless gemeet. Beduidende verskille tussen die drie korrelgroottes vir albei kultivars is verkry. Deurslaan, naamlik die begin van rypwording, het op dieselfde dag in opeenvolgende seisoene plaasgevind: 21 dae na ertjiekorrel grootte (5 mm korrel deursnee) vir Prime en 28 dae na ertjiekorrel grootte (5 mm korrel deursnee) vir Crimson Seedless. In teenstelling met die tipiese korrel ontwikkelingspatroon is ‘n rusfase nie waargeneem by beide kultivars nie. Komponente soos suikerinhoud, glukose, fruktose en titreerbare suur inhoud per korrel is deur korrelgrootte beïnvloed in een of albei seisoene vir beide kultivars. Suiker konsentrasie van albei kultivars het reeds voor deurslaan begin toeneem. By deurslaan het die konsentrasies van glukose, fruktose en absisiensuur inhoud toegeneem, terwyl die konsentraies van titreerbare sure, wynsteensuur, appelsuur en totale fenole gedaal het. Totale antosianiene in Crimson Seedless het ‘n week na deurslaan begin toeneem. Die hoof antosianien in Crimson Seedless is peonidien-3-glukosied. Gedurende rypwording was daar ‘n 1:1 glukose:fruktose verhouding gevind vir beide kultivars. In terme van sure is Prime se wynsteensuur:appelsuur verhouding laer as in Crimson Seedless vir albei seisoene. Wynsteensuur is die hoof organiese suur in Prime terwyl appelsuur die hoof organiese suur in Crimson Seedless is. Geen betekenisvolle verskille vir na-oes houvermoë tussen korrelgroottes is waargeneem vir beide kultivars nie. Daar was egter tendense wat aanleiding gegee het in die aanname dat medium grootte korrels geneig is tot loskorrels in albei kultivars. Groot korrels het ‘n hoër korrelbars persentasie getoon vir beide kultivars. Crimson Seedless se tweede oes het plaasgevind 24 uur na reënval, wat aanleiding gegee het tot hoër persentasies korrelbederf. Hoër persentasie korrelbederf was ook gevind met later oesdatums. Geen beduidende verskille is gevind vir suiker:suur verhouding tussen die drie korrelgroottes vir beide kultivars nie. Dus word na-oes houvermoë nie net deur suiker:suur verhouding beïnvloed nie, maar ook deur oestyd en verpakkingsprodsedures. Omgewingsomstandighede voor oes kan ook na-oes houvermoë beïnvloed.

Background: Clinical and epidemiologic studies have investigated the effects of diet, physical activity, and inflammation on the risk of colorectal adenoma occurrence and recurrence. Inflammation has been proposed as a mechanism of action for the development of colorectal adenoma and cancer. Research indicates that fruit phenolic exposure may attenuate the inflammatory response and some data suggest that berries are effective in mitigating this process. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) are of particular interest due to their role in adenoma development. Epidemiological investigations have studied the association between bioactive fruit phenolic compounds and colorectal neoplasia; however, epidemiological data for the association between consumption of berries, which contain high concentrations of these compounds, and colorectal adenoma recurrence are limited. In addition to a potential role of phenolics in reducing inflammation, physical activity has also been proposed as a mitigator of this process. Numerous studies have investigated the association between physical activity and colorectal neoplasia, yet data on sedentary behavior and colorectal adenoma recurrence are limited. This dissertation was designed to further elucidate the role of fruit phenolics and sedentary behavior on colorectal adenoma recurrence and to specifically highlight the potential role of black raspberries in mitigating the postprandial inflammatory response among overweight and obese individuals. Methods: Ten overweight or obese males (BMI>25 kg/m²), ages 55-72, participated in an open-label, randomized, 14-day, pilot crossover study. Subjects consumed a high- fat, high- calorie (HFHC) meal, with (Group 1) or without (Group 2) a 5 day regimen of 45 g of black raspberry powder in the form of a slurry. The study included a two-day washout period before Group 1 and Group 2 were crossed over. The two-day washout period was based on a pharmacokinetic study conducted with black raspberry powder (1); peak plasma concentrations of ellagic acid and anthocyanin metabolites peaked at 1 to 2 hours following consumption of 45 grams of black raspberry powder and by 12 hours, plasma concentrations of these metabolites were almost fully washed out, with plasma concentrations returning to near baseline levels. Blood samples were obtained prior to consumption of the HFHC breakfast and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours afterwards, during two 14-hour clinic visits. The primary study outcomes were changes in areas under the curves (AUCs) of serum biomarkers of TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6. A secondary pooled analysis was conducted among participants from two randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trials to investigate the association between berry consumption and colorectal adenoma recurrence, and the association between sedentary behavior and colorectal adenoma recurrence. Analyses included 2,502 subjects who had completed the baseline Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire to ascertain berry consumption history in the past year and 1,730 men and women who had completed the baseline Arizona Activity Frequency Questionnaire to ascertain sedentary behavior. All subjects had a follow-up colonoscopy during the trial. Logistic regression modeling was employed to estimate the effect of sedentary behavior or berry consumption on colorectal adenoma recurrence. Results: The mean AUC of serum IL-6 was significantly lower (p=0.03) with black raspberry (BRB) feeding (45.5±36.3 pg/mL; mean±SD), compared to high fat, high calorie meal alone (56.7±50.0 pg/mL). No statistically significant differences were observed in the mean AUC of serum TNF-α or CRP. In the pooled analysis, no significant associations were observed between berry consumption and adenoma recurrence in the pooled population or when stratified by sex. In the evaluation of association between sedentary behavior and adenoma recurrence, subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of sedentary behavior experienced higher odds of adenoma recurrence; however, the difference was only statistically significant for the third quartile. Sex-stratified analyses revealed that in men, sedentary activity was statistically significantly associated with 45% higher odds of adenoma recurrence. Compared to the lowest quartile of sedentary activity, the ORs (95% CIs) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles among men were 1.31 (0.93, 1.84), 1.47 (1.04, 2.09), and 1.45 (1.02, 2.06) respectively (P trend=0.03). In contrast, no association with sedentary activity was observed in women. Conclusion: Polyphenol exposure in the form of a black raspberry slurry significantly decreased post-prandial IL-6 in a clinical trial among ten older overweight and obese men. These findings suggest short-term attenuation of an inflammatory maker may not translate to decreased adenoma recurrence, however, long term randomized clinical trials with black raspberries are needed to evaluate this further. However, in an epidemiological analysis, consumption of up to 1 cup per week of whole berries was not associated with lower odds for adenoma recurrence among a pooled population of participants in the Wheat Bran Fiber and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Phase III clinical trials. While the epidemiological results indicated that berry consumption are not associated with the development of early colorectal neoplasia, the effects on later stages of carcinogenesis are unknown. Higher levels of berry consumption may be required in order to reach a cancer inhibitory effect. Finally, results of the physical activity study suggest that sedentary behavior is associated with a higher risk of adenoma recurrence among men, providing evidence of detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle early in the carcinogenesis pathway. Efforts to further evaluate these findings in other cohorts or in an intervention trial should be considered.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women around the world. The hormone 17-estradiol (E2) is strongly implicated as a causative agent in this cancer. Since estrogen acts as a complete carcinogen, agents that interfere with the carcinogenic actions of E2 are required. Most agents effective against experimental mammary carcinogenesis have been employed as pure compounds disregarding the synergy that exists between several phytonutrients in a whole food. In these studies we have taken a unified approach, by employing a pure phytonutrient ellagic acid and whole foods that contain the phytonutrient at various levels berries, in the prevention of E2- induced mammary cancer in ACI rats. We have also used a tiered approach by screening several phytochemicals in vitro and implementing these results in both short- and long-term studies. Initially, several phytochemicals were tested as pure compounds against oxidative DNA damage induced by 4-hydroxy estradiol and CuCl2. Ellagic acid, was the most effective agent (andgt;98% reduction). In a short-term in vivo study, both dietary blueberry and strawberry (5% w/w), were ineffective in reducing the baseline oxidative DNA damage in the livers of CD-1 mice. However, red raspberry (5% w/w) was highly effective (50% reduction) and ellagic acid (400 ppm) was moderately effective (25% reduction). Further both diets up-regulated hepatic DNA repair genes in a similar fashion. In a long-term estradiol-induced mammary carcinogenicity study in ACI rats, dietary berries (2.5% w/w) and ellagic acid (400 ppm) reduced both tumor volume and tumors per animal to different extents (50-75%). One mechanism by which these dietary interventions inhibit mammary tumorigenesis may be via modulation of E2 metabolism, especially at the early stages of carcinogenesis. At 6 weeks after E2 treatment both berries and ellagic acid or berries alone significantly offset E2- induced changes in CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 expressions respectively. In addition, no toxicity or adverse effects are observed when rodents were fed either berries (1 - 5%) or ellagic acid (400 ppm). These data taken collectively support the possibility of using natural foods such as berries as an adjuvant to current pharmacological therapies in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

This diploma thesis deals with the determination of aroma volatile compounds in elderberry. The theoretical part describes the botanical characteristics of elderberry, the incidence and the other known species. Further, this work is focused on the chemical composition of elderberry, there are described in detail the content substances and briefly mentioned are medicinal effects of elderberry. Another theoretical part describes the natural processing of this significant plant and technological production of fruit juices. The second half of the theoretical part deals with the method of determining aroma volatile compounds by gas chromatography in combination with SPME technique, which is suitable for identification of aroma substances. In the experimental part of this diploma thesis SPME-GC method was applied to some samples of elderberry and aroma volatile compounds of individual samples of elderberry were determined.

Eleven subjects completed a clinical trial to determine the safety/tolerability of freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB) and to measure, in plasma and urine, specific anthocyanins-cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-sambubioside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3- xylosylrutinoside, as well as ellagic acid. Subjects were fed 45 g of freeze-dried BRB daily for 7 days. Blood samples were collected predose on days 1 and 7 and at 10 time points postdose. Urine was collected for 12 hours predose on days 1 and 7 and at three 4-hour intervals postdose. Maximum concentrations of anthocyanins and ellagic acid in plasma occurred at 1 to 2 hours, and maximum quantities in urine appeared from 0 to 4 hours. Overall, less than 1% of these compounds were absorbed and excreted in urine. None of the pharmacokinetic parameters changed significantly between days 1 and 7. In conclusion, 45 g of freeze-dried BRB daily are well tolerated and result in quantifiable anthocyanins and ellagic acid in plasma and urine.

In industry, antioxidants are added to prevent changes that affect quality due to oxidation, such as the development of off flavors, unacceptable odors and discoloration. New resources that are familiar to consumers and may work as antioxidants should be studied. The changes in antioxidant activity were determined for four freeze-dried native wild berry powder species in Utah, including skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), river hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) and silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), during cold storage (-20 °C) for 6 months. The total antioxidant activity was stable in most of the berry powders during the six months of frozen storage. Overall the river hawthorn and buffaloberry contained the highest antioxidant activity values, which indicated that they would be more efficient for use as food antioxidants. The effectiveness of two different levels of native Utah river hawthorn and buffaloberry freeze-dried powders in maintaining the quality of ground poultry and ground beef was studied. Meat patties mixed with berry powders were held at 4 °C and analyzed every three days for two weeks. The river hawthorn berry and silver buffaloberry delayed the undesirable changes in flavor or color caused by the oxygen present in the air in both chicken and beef ground patties. However, the plant pigments in the silver buffaloberry increased the redness of chicken patties. Neither berry significantly changed the color of ground beef patties or changed the microbial growth in ground meats. Overall, both river hawthorn and buffaloberry are suitable for using in ground beef product as antioxidants. Milk mineral and sodium tripolyphosphate are antioxidants that could bind free metal ions into insoluble or inactive forms. They can delay the changes of the meat pigment and maintain color in meat products. The purpose of the third study was to examine the effect antioxidants on meat pigment.pH describes the amounts of acid in food. Slowed color changes in the poultry meat pigment with antioxidants was seen both at the pH of living poultry muscle (7.2) and the pH of raw poultry meat (pH 6.0). This suggested that addition of metal-binding antioxidants like milk mineral or sodium tripolyphosphate could help preserve poultry meat pigment and maintain the color of poultry products.

No description available.

Standardised systems of food production where food is brought into cities from far away is accompanied with high emissions from both production and transport. Simultaneously, food growing in the urban surroundings is not picked and left to rot. This thesis is concerned with urban foraging, the practice of picking edibles in the urban landscape, a practice often overlooked by research and policymakers. The case study area is Skarpnäck, southern Stockholm and the focus is specifically on foraging of fruit and berries from public vegetation. Using a qualitative mixed methods approach where a questionnaire was followed by interviews, the aim has been to assess how the practice is perceived in the case study area and if there are certain cultural norms that limit picking activities. Results suggest that foraging is perceived to be out of place in the urban area. Although some people do pick, others feel it is inappropriate and do not want to be seen picking fruit or berries and therefore limit picking. The thesis concludes that urban foraging has the potential to increase urban sustainability, but efforts are needed for foraging to be a culturally accepted practice.

Diversos estudos buscam identificar novas moléculas com ações regulatórias sobre a via de sinalização da insulina e consequentemente na homeostase da glicose. Assim, este trabalho visa avaliar o potencial de extratos de frutos no controle da homeostase glicêmica. Os frutos avaliados foram o morango (cv. Toianoca, Camarosa, Oso Grande e Camino Real), a amora-preta e a framboesa vermelha, em dois tempos de amostragem, sendo considerado como tempo A1 e tempo A2. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao seu conteúdo de fenólicos totais, conteúdo de antocianinas monoméricas, capacidade antioxidante, avaliada pelos métodos DPPH e ORAC, ácido elágico total, capacidade de inibição da alfa-glicosidase e captação de glicose e lipólise em tecido adiposo de camundongos (ensaio explante). Dentre os frutos, no primeiro tempo de amostragem, a amora-preta e o morango, cv Oso Grande, foram os que apresentaram maior conteúdo de fenólicos totais (62,36 e 34,89 mg AG/g, respectivamente) no entanto não foram mantidos esses valores no segundo tempo de amostragem, com concentração 30% e 60% inferior, respectivamente; e maior concentração de antocianinas monoméricas (45,33 mg/g e 3,09 mg/g, respectivamente). Em relação a inibição da enzima alfa-glicosidase, avaliado em extrato metanólico, o fruto framboesa vermelha e o morango cv. Camino Real foram as que apresentaram alto potencial inibitório nos dois tempos de amostragem (IC50 0,47 mg FT e IC50 0,57 mg FT para framboesa vermelha e IC50 0,50 mg FT e IC50 0,46 mg FT para Camino Real). Quando avaliado os extratos enriquecidos em fenólicos, o valor de IC50 com maior potencial dentre os frutos avaliados foi da amora-preta, nos dois tempos A1 e A2 (0,0023 mg FT e 0,0021 mg FT, respectivamente). Para captação de glicose em tecido adiposo explate, ao utilizar a insulina para estimular a captação de glicose juntamente com o tratamento (extrato), esse estimulo foi efetivo no aumento da captação de glicose somente com as amostras cv. Camino Real e cv. Oso Grande. Isso pode ser explicado pela alta correlação encontrada de antocianinas identificadas no fruto, como pelargonidina-3-O-glicosídeo. Por outro lado, somente a amora-preta A1 aumentou a lipólise em condição basal, mas nenhuma fruta foi eficiente para reduzir a lipólise em condição estimulada pelo isoproterenol. Sendo assim, frutas vermelhas podem ser boas fontes de compostos bioativos, principalmente antocianinas, as quais podem ter corroborado positivamente com os resultados. / Several studies seek to identify new molecules with regulatory actions on the insulin signaling pathway and consequently on glucose homeostasis. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the potential of fruit extracts in the control of glycemic homeostasis. The fruits evaluated were strawberry (cv. Toianoca, Camarosa, Oso Grande and Camino Real), blackberry and red raspberry, in two sampling times, being considered as time A1 and time A2. Fruits were evaluated for total phenolic, monomeric anthocyanins and contents, antioxidant capacity, evaluated by DPPH and ORAC methods, alpha-glycosidase inhibition capacity and glucose uptake and lipolysis in adipose tissue of mice (explant assay). Among the fruits, in the first sampling period, blackberry and strawberry, cv. Oso Grande, showed the highest total phenolic content (62.36 and 34.89 mg AG / g, respectively), with a decrease of the 30% and 60%, respectively, in the second sampling time; and higher monomeric anthocyanins concentration (45.33 mg/g and 3.09 mg/g, respectively). The methanolic extracts of raspberry and the strawberry cv Camino Real (A1 and A2) presented the highest alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Otherwise, the enriched-polyphenol extract of blackberry (A1 and A2) presented the highest potential among the evaluated fruits. Adipose tissue treated with strawberry cv. Camino Real and cv. Oso Grande was effective in increasing glucose uptake stimulated by insulin. This can be explained by the high correlation with the anthocyanins pelargonidin-3-O-glycoside identified in this fruit. In addition, blackberry A1 was the only sample to increase the lipolysis in basal condition, but all other fruits were not effective to decrease lipolysis in stimulated condition. Thus, berries could be a good sources of bioactive compounds to maintain the glucose homeostasis.