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BackgroundIncreasing antioxidant levels in fruit through breeding is an important option to support higher antioxidant intake particularly when fruit consumption is low. Indeed, if nutritional components are also combined with a high standard of sensorial fruit quality, the perspective for consumer health can be further improved by encouraging more fruit consumption. Wild species are valued by strawberry breeders as sources of novel traits, especially for pest resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. Furthermore, previous investigations have shown improvements in fruit nutritional quality in breeding material that originated from Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca (FVG) inter-species crosses. Recently, commercial varieties of strawberries have also shown interesting variability in fruit nutritional quality.ResultsStrawberry fruit sensorial and nutritional qualities generated by Fragaria inter-species and intra-species crosses were evaluated on 78 offspring derived from 8 families: two that originated from F. × ananassa intra-species crossing; three from back-crossing of F1– FVG × F. × ananassa; and three from back-crossing of BC1– FVG × F. × ananassa. The genetic variability from the three types of cross combinations was analyzed by calculation of the correlations among the fruit sensorial and nutritional parameters. The results obtained show that two subsequent back-crossing generations from an inter-species crossing combination with F. virginiana ssp. glauca provides useful improvement of the fruit nutritional and sensorial qualities that is combined with agronomic standards that are close to those requested at the commercial level. Improvements of these traits can also be achieved by programming F. × ananassa intra-species crosses and producing progeny with productivity traits more similar to those of the commercial cultivars.ConclusionsThe two types of combination programs (inter-species back-crosses, and intra-species crosses) can be used to improve strawberry nutritional quality.

In the last few years the nutritional value of fruit has been widely studied and requested by the consumers, especially for protection against cardiovascular events, cancer and others as well as for the general health benefits it can provide. These benefits can be ascribed mainly to the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of fruit which is determined by a complex combination of bioactive compounds, generally related to specific characteristics of the genotype and of its interaction with the environment. Strawberry breeding programs are currently used to acquire new varieties improved for specific agronomic (Yield and Size), qualitative (Firmness, Sugars Content and Acidity) and sensorial (Colour and Aroma) characteristics, all combined to increased disease resistance and plant adaptability. Nowadays, besides to all these parameters is necessary to look for the specific bioactive components well known for their effect on human health. This aspect is now highly requested by the consumer. By testing different commercial strawberry varieties, a wide difference among their production and fruit quality, mostly related to their adaptability to the local evaluation conditions, is generally detected. Regarding their nutritional values, only few varieties nowadays differ for their higher phenol content and total antioxidant capacity. By taking into account this knowledge different breeding programs specifically addressed to increase fruit nutritional value, have been started. A first approach is based on the use of inter-specific crosses within wild and cultivated genotypes, so to increase variability for these characters, while the second by considering the intra-specific crosses within cultivars already known for their agronomic behavior and good quality performance. Herewith, we report on the major aspects related to breeding program aimed to increase strawberry fruit nutritional quality and what we can expect for the improvement of consumer acceptability of this fruit.

This study investigated the effects of two different strawberry cultivars, Adria and Sveva, against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced toxicity in rats. A controlled dietary intervention was conducted over 16 weeks with four groups: (i) normal diet; (ii) normal diet + DOX injection; (iii) Adria supplementation + DOX injection; and (iv) Sveva supplementation + DOX injection. Sveva presented higher total antioxidant capacity value and phenol and and vitamin C levels than Adria, which in turn presented higher anthocyanin contents. DOX drastically increased lymphocyte DNA damage, liver biomarkers of protein and lipid oxidation, and mitochondrial ROS content and markedly decreased plasma retinol level, liver antioxidant enzymes, and mitochondrial functionality. After 2 months of strawberry supplementation, rats presented a significant reduction of DNA damage and ROS concentration and a significant improvement of oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and mitochondrial performance. These results suggest that strawberry supplementation can counteract DOX toxicity, confirming the potential health benefit of strawberry in vivo against oxidative stress.

VitaminsVitamins are organic molecules that are essential in trace amounts for human metabolism. They may be grouped into six categories: A, B complex, C, D, E, and K. Fresh fruits contain significant amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and E.Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the retina of the eye and is crucial for normal vision. Deficiency leads to impaired vision and even blindness (Rice et al., 2004). In developing regions of the world, vitamin A deficiency is estimated to cause blindness in 250,000 to 500,000 children each year. Additionally, it plays an important role in gene transcription, cell division and differentiation, reproduction, and the maintenance of normal skin health, as well as being a powerful antioxidant (Rice et al., 2004). Vitamin A can be of animal or plant origin. In plants, the carotenoids (i.e., α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, and the xanthophyll, β-cryptoxanthin) function as precursors of vitamin A. The human organism requires about 700 (female adults) to 900 μg (male adults) vitamin A per day. Fruits that are particularly good sources of provitamin A include cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis Naud.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), and mango (Mangifera indica L., 40-170 μg 100 g −1 fresh weight) (Kays, 1991).The B vitamins (i.e., B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 5 , B 6 , B 7 , B 9 , and B 12 ) are a group of water-soluble compounds that contribute to human health by supporting cell growth and metabolism, skin and muscle tone, the function of the immune system, erythrocyte metabolism, and the prevention of anemia. With the exception of vitamin B 12 , all the other B complex vitamins are available from plant sources; for example, avocado (Persea americana Mill.) contains vitamins B 2 , B 3 , B 5 , B 6 , and B 9 ; chili pepper (Capsicum spp. L.) contains vitamins B 2 and B 6 ; okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench.) contains vitamins B 1 and B 9 ; and banana contains vitamins B 3 , B 5 , and B 6 . A regular intake of the B vitamins is required because any excess is excreted in the urine. A lack of B vitamins is associated with various skin disorders and dermatitis, as well as diseases such as beriberi (B 1 [thiamine]), hyperemia (B 2 [riboflavin]), and anemia (B 6 [pyridoxine], B 9 [folic acid], and B 12 [cobalamin]).Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble sugar-lactone and a strong antioxidant. In humans it acts as an enzyme cofactor for biosynthetic reactions, a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase, and an electron donor for certain enzymes (Hancock & Viola, 2005). Vitamin C (in the form of lime juice) was used to prevent scurvy among seamen long before its isolation in 1932. Moreover, patients suffering from oxidative stress, such as that related to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic inflammatory disease, and diabetes, exhibit a lower plasma ascorbate concentration (45 μmol l −1 ) than that of healthy individuals (61.4-80 μmol l −1 ) (Schorah et al., 1996). Fruits that are particularly rich in vitamin C include blackcurrant (Ri...

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This study evaluated 20 advanced selections, derived from a strawberry interspecific backcross program, and their parents for fruit weight, commercial yield, acidity, sugar content, antioxidant capacity, and phenol and anthocyanin contents. Phytochemical profiling analysis was performed to determine the compositional characteristics of the improved selections in comparison with their parents and an important commercial variety ('Elsanta'). Advanced selections showed substantial improvement for agronomic and nutritional quality parameters. From the profiling analysis there was evidence for specific improvements in fruit phytochemical contents; new advanced selections had substantially increased fruit flavonol, anthocyanin, and ellagitannin contents compared to their parent cultivar 'Romina' and, for flavonols and ellagitannins, compared to a standard cultivar 'Elsanta'. Such results confirm that an appropriate breeding program that includes wild strawberry germplasm can produce new strawberry cultivars with a well-defined improvement in fruit nutritional and nutraceutical values.