Resveratrol, Pterostilbene, and Piceatannol in Vaccinium Berries

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the presence of resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol in Vaccinium berries. Samples representing selections and cultivars of 10 species from Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, and Canada were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Resveratrol was found in Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry), Vaccinium arboretum (sparkleberry), Vaccinium ashei (rabbiteye blueberry), Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry), Vaccinium elliottii (Elliott's blueberry), Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry), Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry), Vaccinium stamineum (deerberry), Vaccinium vitis-ideae var. vitis-ideae (lingonberry), and Vaccinium vitis-ideae var. minor (partridgeberry) at levels between 7 and 5884 ng/g dry sample. Lingonberry was found to have the highest content, 5884 ng/g dry sample, comparable to that found in grapes, 6471 ng/g dry sample. Pterostilbene was found in two cultivars of V. ashei and in V. stamineum at levels of 99-520 ng/g dry sample. Piceatannol was found in V. corymbosum and V. stamineum at levels of 138-422 ng/g dry sample. These naturally occurring stilbenes, known to be strong antioxidants and to have cancer chemopreventive activities, will add to the purported health benefits derived from the consumption of these small fruits.

Resveratrol content and antioxidant properties of underutilized fruits

“…The presence of cis-resveratrol, trans-resveratrol, trans-resveratrol glucoside and other related stilbenes were reported earlier in grapes (Langcake and Pryce 1976), red wines (Siemann and Creasy 1992), peanuts (Sanders et al 2000), berries (Rimando et al 2004), and other plants. However, presence of resveratrol is not reported in underutilized fruits of Indian origin such as jackfruit, jamun fruit and mulberry so far.…”

“…Resveratrol (3, 5, 4′-trihydroxystilbene) is one of the major stilbene phytoalexin produced by a wide variety of plants in response to stress, injury, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and fungal (e.g., Botrytis cinerea) infection (Burns et al 2002) There are numerous reports on resveratrol content of grapes (Vitis vinifera) (Pezzuto 2008). peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) (Tokusoglu et al 2005), berries (Rimando et al 2004) and legumes (Duenas et al 2006). While these plants have been reported as the primary dietary sources of resveratrol, several other sources have also been identified, including Itadori tea (from the root of Polygonum cuspidatum) (Vastano et al 2000).…”

Synthesis of glycosides of resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol, and their anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective activities

“…CGTase (Paenibacillus macerans) was purchased from Amano Enzyme Inc. Resveratrol 3-maltoside (8) and resveratrol 4′-β-maltoside (9) were produced individually as follows. To a solution containing resveratrol 3-β-glucoside (2) or resveratrol 4′-β-glucoside (3) (0.1 mmol) and α-cyclodextrin (0.5 mmol) in 50 mM citrate buffer solution (pH 5.6) was added 0.5 mL CGTase (600 units/mL).…”

“…It exhibits immunosuppressive, anti-oxidative, and antitumorigenic activities. [8][9][10] Despite the bio-and physiological activities of these stilbene compounds, their use as medicines has been limited, due to their insolubility in water and poor absorption after oral administration.…”

A Stress-Inducible Resveratrol O-Methyltransferase Involved in the Biosynthesis of Pterostilbene in Grapevine

“…Pterostilbene accumulates constitutively in various organs from a small number of plant species, including wood from P. santalinus and Vaccinium berries (Seshadri, 1972;Rimando et al, 2004). Pterostilbene has also been identified as a phytoalexin in grapevine (Vitis vinifera).…”