Antioxidants are abundant in blueberries, and while there are many studies concerning the bioactive compound of fruit, it is only recently that the wild Vaccinium species has attracted attention for their diverse and abundant chemical components. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactive compounds of blueberry cultivars and wild species found in Japan. Among the five extracts of the Vaccinium species, Natsuhaze (Vaccinium oldhamii Miq.) was found to be the most effective at inhibiting the growth of HL-60 human leukemia cells in vitro. Although all ethanol extracts showed a growth inhibitory effect on HL-60 cells, the degree of the effects differed among the species. The extract of Natsuhaze induced apoptotic bodies and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation in the HL-60 cells. Of the extracts tested, that of Natsuhaze contained the largest amount of total polyphenols and showed the greatest antioxidant activity, but the anthocyanin content of Natsuhaze was similar to that of rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum Ait.). The results showed that total polyphenols contributed to the high antioxidant activity and growth inhibitory effect on HL-60 human leukemia cells of Natsuhaze extract.
SummaryThe possibility of using wild blueberry Shashanbo (Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb.) as a rootstock for cultivating northern highbush blueberry in a warm region was investigated. The survival ratios of three different cultivars ('Berkeley', 'Bluecrop', and 'Earliblue') grafted on 3-year-old seedlings of Shashanbo plants were 85.7 to 100%. Furthermore, 41 cultivars included in highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries were successfully grafted on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock. There were no signs of incompatibility even four years after grafting, and anatomical observations of graft unions supported this result. The shoot growth and fruit weight of 'Earliblue' grafted on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock were significantly higher than those of plants on their own roots. However, the shoot growth of 'Earliblue' grafted on rooted cuttings of rabbiteye blueberries ('Homebell' and 'Tifblue') was significantly higher than that of those on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock. In addition, there were no differences in concentrations or component ratio of sugars and organic acids on any rootstock.These findings suggest that Shashanbo has graft compatibility with blueberry and that seedlings could be used as a rootstock for cultivating northern highbush blueberries in southern Kyushu.
To obtain fundamental data for using Natsuhaze and Aragenatsuhaze in the breeding and cultivation of blueberries, we examined the fruit growth characteristics and fruit components. Natsuhaze and Aragenatsuhaze had many fruits per fruit cluster compared with blueberry cultivars, and the fruit clusters were long and slender. Although the maturation period of the fruits within the same fruit cluster was different, the matured fruits did not fall for a long period. Therefore, this species may be harvested by cluster harvesting, as with grapes. The maturation periods of both Natsuhaze and Aragenatsuhaze were from September to November, one to three months later than the latest-maturing blueberry cultivars. Although the sugar-acid ratio in the fruits of Natsuhaze and Aragenatsuhaze was lower than in blueberry cultivars and the taste was inferior, the total anthocyanin content of fruits in Natsuhaze was about 6 times that of blueberries. The total polyphenol content, total proanthocyanidin content, and antioxidant activities showed high values in unripe fruits, and increased as maturity progressed in these species. Mature fruit of Aragenatsuhaze had 3 times more total polyphenols and 17 times more total proanthocyanidin than blueberry cultivars; it was suggested that total polyphenols including proanthocyanidin contribute to antioxidant activities. Natsuhaze and Aragenatsuhaze could be useful breeding materials for new cultivar production by expanding the crop season of blueberries, enabling cluster harvesting, and offering high biological functionality.
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