Article

Alaskan Wild Berry Resources and Human Health under the Cloud of Climate Change

§ Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
# Biotech Center, SEBS, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2010, 58 (7), pp 3884–3900
DOI: 10.1021/jf902693r
Publication Date (Web): December 21, 2009
Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society
OpenURL UNIV OF NORTH TEXAS
*Corresponding author [telephone (704) 250-5407; fax (704) 250-5409; e-mail maryann_lila@ncsu.edu].

Abstract

Abstract Image

Wild berries are integral dietary components for Alaska Native people and a rich source of polyphenolic metabolites that can ameliorate metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. In this study, five species of wild Alaskan berries (Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium uliginosum, Rubus chamaemorus, Rubus spectabilis, and Empetrum nigrum) were screened for bioactivity through a community-participatory research method involving three geographically distinct tribal communities. Compositional analysis by HPLC and LC-MS2 revealed substantial site-specific variation in anthocyanins (0.01−4.39 mg/g of FW) and proanthocyanidins (0.74−6.25 mg/g of FW) and identified A-type proanthocyanidin polymers. R. spectabilis increased expression levels of preadipocyte factor 1 (182%), and proanthocyanidin-enriched fractions from other species reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Selected extracts reduced serum glucose levels in C57BL/6J mice by up to 45%. Local observations provided robust insights into effects of climatic fluctuations on berry abundance and quality, and preliminary site-specific compositional and bioactivity differences were noted, suggesting the need to monitor this Alaska Native resource as climate shifts affect the region.

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Article Views: 924 Times
Received 31 July 2009
Date accepted 19 November 2009
Published online 21 December 2009
Published in print 14 April 2010
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