Physalis peruviana L. fruit (Cape gooseberry, CG) is a rich source of phytonutrients, including vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs), phytosterols, dietetic fibers, and others. The popularity and production areas of CG have been expanding worldwide, thus producing fruit with origin-substantiated differences in their nutrient composition.This study was based on the comparative assessment of 2 genotypes of CG produced in Bulgaria (CG-P and CG-F), through analysis of the lipid fraction of different fruit elements (seeds, peels), and further examination of the extracted seedcakes. The CG seeds reasonably yielded more oil (17.0%–22.2%) than the isolated peels (2.8%–2.9%). The main FAs in the CG-P seed oil were oleic (29.6%) and palmitic (20.6%), and in the CG-F seed oil were palmitic (20.9%) and stearic (17.5%). Both CG peel oils were dominated by palmitic acid (43.0%–60.2%), but there was a significant variation of some other FAs. The group of bioactive tocopherols was found exclusively in the oil extracted from the CG seeds, with no significant difference between the genotypes; β-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol were the most abundant. Waste from the oil extraction (the seedcakes) was found to contain high levels of macro and microminerals (K, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, and others), fiber (40.26%–47.62%), protein (13.73%–8.08%), and essential amino acids, with some genotype-based variations. The results demonstrated that, concerning the studied aspects of fruit composition, CG produced in Bulgaria was comparable to the fruit of other origins; hence, they might be of practical interest to national agricultural and food producers, as well as to the food industry on a wider basis, as new details are added to the knowledge about CG fruit. The outcomes from the examination of the CG seedcakes were in favor of their potential in human and animal nutrition, and might serve as grounds for the development of new products.

The consumption of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit (CG), fresh or processed, is gaining popularity worldwide, due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study was based on the analysis of the lipid fraction of different parts of CG fruit and on further valorization of the resulting CG waste. The content of glyceride oil in CG seeds, peels and seed/peel waste, as well as the individual fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol composition of the oils was determined. CG seeds and seed/peel waste were a rich source of oil (up to 22.93%), which is suitable for nutritional application, due to its high proportions of unsaturated fatty acids (up to 83.77%), sterols (campesterol, Δ5-аvenasterol, β-sitosterol) and tocopherols (β-, δ- and γ-tocopherols). Seed/peel waste and the extracted seed cakes contained macro- and microminerals (K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) which are important for human and animal nutrition. Seed cakes had relatively high protein (24.32%) and cellulose (42.94%) contents, and an interesting amino acid profile. The results from the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the composition of CG fruit, and might be of practical relevance in the development of functional foods and feeds.

The main objective of this mini-review was to synthesize recent data about the phytochemical composition, the nutritional properties, and the biological and pharmacological activities of a now cosmopolitan genus, Physalis (Solanaceae), being in the focus of intensive research over the last two decades. Six Physalis species with nutritional and pharmacological promise are considered in particular – P. peruviana L., P. philadelphica Lam., P. ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm., P. angulata L., P. pubescens L., and P. alkekengi L. Summarized contemporary data on the metabolite profile and the biological activities of Physalis species support their century-long use in traditional medicine and human nutrition. The fruit represent a rich source of minerals, vitamins, fibers, carotenoids, proteins, fructose, sucrose esters, pectins, flavonoids, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols and many other beneficial nutrients. Individual phytochemicals and complex fractions isolated from Physalis plants demonstrate various biological and pharmacological activities, the most promising of which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, hepato-renoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and others. Most of these activities are associated with the presence of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, physalins, withanolides, and other bioactive compounds. The accumulated data disclose the potential of Physalis spp. as highly functional foods, as profitable crops for many regions over the world, and as sources of valuable secondary metabolites for phytopharmacy, novel medicine and cosmetics. Information provided by this review is also important for a more intensive promotion of Physalis species in Bulgaria and for future studies on their composition and benefits.

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a South American fruit with high nutrient content, pleasant taste and antioxidant properties. However, its consumption in some countries is underеvalued. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of two genotypes of Cape gooseberry fruit produced in Bulgaria (CG-F and CG-P) and to compare it with imported Colombian fruits (CG-C). The samples were assayed for size, diameter, moisture, ash, titratable acidity, pH, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, natural pigments, and mineral content. Bulgarian genotypes were smaller in size than the imported Colombian fruits. The protein content (2.54-1.88 g/100 g) was relatively higher in the imported variety, compared with the locally produced fruit. Carbohydrate content (10.23-14.13 g/100 g) slightly varied between the genotypes. The sweetness of the fruit was due to the main detected sugars – sucrose, glucose and fructose. CG-F and GC-C genotypes had similar sweetness indices, and fruit taste was evaluated as sweet-sour. Pectin content did not exceed 1.85%; the cellulose content varied between 4.29% and 6.64%. Moreover, all investigated fruit had a low lipid content (below 1.00%). The total chlorophyll and carotenoids levels were the highest in the local genotype CG-P (3.62 and 22.36 µg/g). Potassium was the predominant macro-element in all genotypes; there were numerical differences in the rest of the minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn), while the heavy metals, Pb, Cd and Cr, were generally absent. Cape gooseberry fruit of Bulgarian origin was evaluated as a low-calorie nutrient, compatible with the imported Colombian fruit.

The objective of this work was the investigation of the chemical composition of the leaves and stems of two Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) genotypes from Bulgaria (CG-SB and CG-NB), with the view of establishing the presence of certain bioactive substances and the prospects for their use as livestock feed or cosmetic ingredients. The leaves and stems of CG-SB genotype contained 18.63% and 40.26% cellulose, respectively, and 24.83% and 13.73% protein; the respective contents in the leaves and stems of CG-NB genotype were 27.63% and 47.63% cellulose, and 9.36% and 8.07% protein. The dominant amino acids in CG-SB leaves were aspartic acid (32.04 mg.g-1) and lysine (30.54 mg.g-1), and in the stems – proline (46.90 mg.g-1) and phenylalanine (15.42 mg.g-1). The amino acid composition of the leaves of CG-NB genotype was dominated by histidine (24.88 mg.g-1) and proline (21.25 mg.g-1), and that of the stems – by proline (13.38 mg.g-1). The main macro and micro minerals in the leaves and stems of both genotypes were K, Mg and Fe, respectively, but numerical differences were observed on a genotype and plant part basis. The leaves were processed by extraction with n-hexane and the content of volatiles was determined (by GC-MS). A total of 32 components was identified in each of the genotypes. The major volatile in both genotypes was n-pentacosanol, 17.07% in CG-SB and 12.39% in CG-NB; the dominant group of chemicals was that of oxygenated aliphatics, followed by diterpenes. The results from the study provide arguments that the leaves and stems of Cape gooseberry, currently discarded byproducts, could be regarded as alternative sources of bioactive substances.

Introduction. Physalis peruviana L. fruit contain various functional compounds with health promoting effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of obtaining reduced sugar jellies from physalis juice with different sugars and sugar substitues. Materials and methods. Jellies containing physalis juice and sucrose (sample S), fructose (sample F) or maltitol and maltitol syrup (sample M), respectively, were prepared and studied. Results and discussion. There were no significant differences between the samples in terms of dry matter content, titratable acidity and pH. The highest total sugar content was found in sample S (72.68%), and the lowestin sample M (7.12%). Sample M had about 90% lower total sugar content than sample S and about 83% lower than sample F. Therefore, according to EU Regulation No 1924/2006, the jelly with maltitol/maltitol syrup can be classified with a nutrition claim "Food with no added sugars". Due to its composition, the same nutrition claim can be ascribed to sample F. Sample F had the biggest sorption capacity, in which an absorption process was observed, and the moisture content of the jelly increased from 28.23% to 32.65% after 120 h. Samples S and M revealed a desorption process (decrease by about 2-3%, 120 h), thus being more stable in terms of storage. The texture profile of sample M was more favorable with regard to jelly's further use, as it had the highest hardness and adhesiveness values (10.12 N and 0.42 N.mm, respectively), compared to samples S and F. Additionally, sample M had about 40% lower energy value than sample S (680 kJ/100 g vs. 1142 kJ/100 g), thus allowing for the nutrition claim "Energy-reduced food" under the terms of Regulation No 1924/2006. The calculated glycemic indicator values were 39.2 (sample S), 23.5 (sample M) and 14.6 (sample F), respectively. These results suggest that physalis juice can be successfully processed into functional sweet jellies. Conclusions. The jellies with physalis juice and maltitol/maltitol syrup can be classified with the nutrition claims "Energy-reduced food" and "Food with no added sugars".

In recent years there has been an extensive search for nature-based products with functional potential. All structural parts of Physalis alkekengi (bladder cherry), including fruits, pulp, and less-explored parts, such as seeds and peel, can be considered sources of functional macro- and micronutrients, bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and dietetic fiber. The chemical composition of all fruit structural parts (seeds, peel, and pulp) of two phenotypes of P. alkekengi were studied. The seeds were found to be a rich source of oil, yielding 14–17%, with abundant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (over 88%) and tocopherols, or vitamin E (up to 5378 mg/kg dw; dry weight). The predominant fatty acid in the seed oils was linoleic acid, followed by oleic acid. The seeds contained most of the fruit’s protein (16–19% dw) and fiber (6–8% dw). The peel oil differed significantly from the seed oil in fatty acid and tocopherol composition. Seed cakes, the waste after oil extraction, contained arginine and aspartic acid as the main amino acids; valine, phenylalanine, threonine, and isoleucine were present in slightly higher amounts than the other essential amino acids. They were also rich in key minerals, such as K, Mg, Fe, and Zn. From the peel and pulp fractions were extracted fruit concretes, aromatic products with specific fragrance profiles, of which volatile compositions (GC-MS) were identified. The major volatiles in peel and pulp concretes were β-linalool, α-pinene, and γ-terpinene. The results from the investigation substantiated the potential of all the studied fruit structures as new sources of bioactive compounds that could be used as prospective sources in human and animal nutrition, while the aroma-active compounds in the concretes supported the plant’s potential in perfumery and cosmetics.

Introduction. The aim of research is to characterize the chemical composition of physalis leaves and the obtaining of extracts rich in bioactive compounds intended for medical and cosmetic applications. Materials and methods. Extraction of dried physalis leaves was carried out under the following conditions: hydromodule-1:10 (w/v), solvents-95, 70, 50 and 30 vol.% ethanol, temperature-20, 40and 60°C, and duration-1, 3 and 5 h. The content of polyphenols, flavonoids and triterpenes in the leaves and in the obtained extracts was determined by HPLC. Results and discussion. The analyzed physalis leaves from variety Plovdiv and from the bio-farm were with 8.32% and 8.79% moisture, respectively. The plant materials contained 9.62% and 10.58% tannins, respectively. Extract color varied by solvent concentration: yellow-orange (with 30% ethanol), yellow-brown (50% ethanol), green-brown (70% ethanol), and brown (95% ethanol). The experimental data and the derived equations showed that the two main factors-temperature and duration, had a strong influence on the content of extracted tannins. The optimal conditions of the process were: 5-hour extraction at a temperature of 60С, with 30 and 50% ethanol for the leaves from Plovdiv genotype, and with 50 and 70% ethanol-for the bio-farm genotype. Twelve phenolic acids were identified in the leaves and extracts from Plovdiv genotype and 10-in those from the bio-farm genotype. Rutin was the dominant flavonoid in the leaves and extracts from both genotypes. The major triterpene in the leaves and in the extracts was oleanolic acid, followed by betulin. The extracts from physalis leaves are rich in bioactive substances (phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpenes), and have the prospective for possible application in medicinal and cosmetic products. Conclusions. This study provides for the first time data about the optimal conditions for the extraction of Physalis peruviana leaves, as well as information about the content of certain biologically active components in the leaves and in the obtained extracts. These are the first results reported about physalis genotypes grown in Bulgaria.