Novel Insights into Corema album Berries: Vibrational Profile and Biological Activity

Abstract

This study reports an evaluation of the biological properties of the edible berries from Corema album, an endemic shrub of the Portuguese coastline, aiming at its use as a nutraceutical. Different methanolic extracts were obtained from the pulp and seed of fresh berries: pulp extract, seed residue, and seed oil (extracted and characterized for the first time). For each of these, the antioxidant activity was assessed, by different methods, as well as the antimicrobial ability. Overall, the seeds were shown to be the most nutraceutical part of the berry since they showed higher antioxidant activity, while the pulp extract displayed a significant antimicrobial capacity against several clinically relevant bacterial strains. Furthermore, the extracts were fully characterized by complementary infrared and Raman spectroscopy, revealing the presence of phenolic acids, polysaccharides, sugars, and triterpenoids in the pulp, high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil, and significant amounts of phenolics and carotenoids in the seed residue. These results pave the way for a reliable correlation between chemical composition and biological activity, in edible fruit samples.

Unravelling Potential Health-Beneficial Properties of Corema album Phenolic Compounds: A Systematic Review

“…The remaining 13 papers proceeded to the full text review. From those, only 11 were about phenolic compounds’ identification in C. album ; thus, they were considered eligible for the data extraction [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…It has been described to exhibit beneficial properties against fever and intestinal pinworm infection [ 6 , 7 ], which is in accordance with the reported ability of C. album extracts to prevent oxidative damage [ 7 ]. Recently, the composition of each part of C. album has been studied by complementary Raman and infrared techniques, revealing vibrational signatures for the skin (outer and inner) and the seeds with distinct chemical compositions, specifically in its respective content in phenolic derivatives [ 10 , 11 ]. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to summarize the phenolic compounds and bioactive properties identified in C. album berries and leaves and to search for research gaps in this topic.…”

Sea Purslane as an Emerging Food Crop: Nutritional and Biological Studies

“…When compared to the inhibitory potential of other halophytes, H. portulacoides (IC50 = 0.15 mg/mL) shows higher activity than Suaeda pruinose, Suaeda maritima, and Suaeda mollis (IC50 values of 0.54, 1.42, and 0.54 mg/mL, respectively) [62]. Nevertheless, it is still considerably less active than the antioxidant BHT (IC50 = 0.005 mg/mL) [31]. Regarding the TBARS assay, the H. portulacoides extract did not present the capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation in the range of concentrations tested.…”

“…The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) and the determination of the enzymatic (cholinesterase inhibition) and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging methods, β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching method, lipid peroxidation inhibition, metal chelating ability, reducing power-FRAP and CUPRAC) and enzymatic (cholinesterase inhibition) activities were performed according to modified versions of literature reported methods [31].…”

Corema album Leaves Mediate DNA Damage in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

“…In addition, these fruits have been employed in traditional medicine to treat fever and intestinal pinworm infection [ 7 , 8 , 10 ]. C. album berries contain polyphenolic compounds that attracted scientific community attention regarding its health beneficial properties [ 11 ] ranging from prevention of cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases to protection against oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer [ 12 ]. In addition to the fruits, studies concerning C. album leaves regarding its anticancer effects in human are limited to 2′,4′-dihydroxydihydrochalcone, 2′-methoxy-4′-hydroxydihydrochalcone, 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone and pinocembrin compounds [ 13 , 14 ] identified in ethyl acetate extracts.…”