Metabolomic Profiling of Fresh Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) Berries from Two Cultivars Grown in Central Italy: A Multi-Methodological Approach

Abstract

The metabolite profile of fresh Goji berries from two cultivars, namely Big Lifeberry (BL) and Sweet Lifeberry (SL), grown in the Lazio region (Central Italy) and harvested at two different periods, August and October, corresponding at the beginning and the end of the maturation, was characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI FT-ICR MS) methodologies. Several classes of compounds such as sugars, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, polyphenols, and terpenes were identified and quantified in hydroalcoholic and organic Bligh-Dyer extracts. Sweet Lifeberry extracts were characterized by a higher content of sucrose with respect to the Big Lifeberry ones and high levels of amino acids (glycine, betaine, proline) were observed in SL berries harvested in October. Spectrophotometric analysis of chlorophylls and total carotenoids was also carried out, showing a decrease of carotenoids during the time. These results can be useful not only to valorize local products but also to suggest the best harvesting period to obtain a product with a chemical composition suitable for specific industrial use. Finally, preliminary studies regarding both the chemical characterization of Goji leaves generally considered a waste product, and the biological activity of Big Lifeberry berries extracts was also investigated. Goji leaves showed a chemical profile rich in healthy compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.) confirming their promising use in the supplements/nutraceutical/cosmetic field. MG63 cells treated with Big Lifeberry berries extracts showed a decrease of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8 expression indicating their significant biological activity.

Antibiofilm activity and NMR-based metabolomic characterization of cell-free supernatant of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

“…The NMR analysis of the considered samples (including MRS broth as the blank) allows identifying two organic acids (lactate and formate), nine amino acids (alanine, valine, glycinebetaine, isoleucine, leucine, glycine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and choline by means of 2D experiments and literature data ( Di Matteo et al, 2021 ; Spano et al, 2021 ) as reported in Supplementary Table S1 and Supplementary Figures S2–S6 . Comparing the NMR results obtained in Table 2 , lactate and formate were identified among organic acids, whereas leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, glycine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were revealed among amino acids.…”

Characterization and Valorization of ‘Sulmona Red Garlic’ Peels and Small Bulbs

“…The ESI FT-ICR mass spectra of hydroalcoholic extracts showed peaks due to protonated compounds or alkali metal adducts for positive polarity mode and deprotonated species or chloride adducts for negative polarity mode. This method has been already exploited to the (moderately) polar fraction of several complex matrices, such as essential oils and foodstuffs, guaranteeing a broad and reliable untargeted chemical profile [ 37 , 38 ]. However, an accurate metabolite quantification in direct infusion ESI FT-ICR MS is hampered due to possible ion-suppression effects and signal response disparities.…”

Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Inflorescences as Novel Food: The Effect of Different Agronomical Practices on Chemical Profile

“…For the untargeted NMR analysis, Bligh–Dyer extraction procedure was applied, following the previously described conditions [ 33 ]. The hydroalcoholic extract was dried and then solubilized with 0.75 mL of 400 mM phosphate buffer/D 2 O, containing a 1 mM 3-(trimethylsilyl)-propionic-2,2,3,3-d 4 acid sodium salt (TSP) as an internal standard, and then transferred into a 5 mm NMR tube.…”