Solanum dulcamara L. Berries: A Convenient Model System to Study Redox Processes in Relation to Fruit Ripening

Abstract

The present study provides, for the first time, a physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the redox processes associated with the ripening of Solanum dulcamara L. (bittersweet) berries. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPRS) and Imaging (EPRI) measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed in parallel with the tissue-specific metabolic profiling of major antioxidants and assessment of antioxidant enzymes activity. Fruit transition from the mature green (MG) to ripe red (RR) stage involved changes in the qualitative and quantitative content of antioxidants and the associated cellular oxidation and peroxidation processes. The skin of bittersweet berries, which was the major source of antioxidants, exhibited the highest antioxidant potential against DPPH radicals and nitroxyl spin probe 3CP. The efficient enzymatic antioxidant system played a critical protective role against the deleterious effects of progressive oxidative stress during ripening. Here, we present the EPRI methodology to assess the redox status of fruits and to discriminate between the redox states of different tissues. Interestingly, the intracellular reoxidation of cell-permeable nitroxide probe 3CP was observed for the first time in fruits or any other plant tissue, and its intensity is herein proposed as a reliable indicator of oxidative stress during ripening. The described noninvasive EPRI technique has the potential to have broader application in the study of redox processes associated with the development, senescence, and postharvest storage of fruits, as well as other circumstances in which oxidative stress is implicated.

Medicinal Plants of the Flora of Kazakhstan Used in the Treatment of Skin Diseases

“…The antioxidant properties of S. dulcamara are attributed to the presence of various phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids such as lycophyll (Figure 16), as well as hydroxy and methoxy derivatives of coumarins [311]. Through non-targeted LC/MS analysis, 83 metabolites have been identified in S. dulcamara fruit extracts, including 22 polyphenolic compounds comprising of 19 phenolic acid derivatives and 3 flavonoids (namely quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside), 10 amides, 16 saponins, 14 steroid alkaloids, 6 lignans, and 15 other compounds [312]. Notably, the phenolic acids in these extracts are mainly composed of chlorogenic acid (Figure 6d), caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid.…”

“…Through non-targeted LC/MS analysis, 83 metabolites have been identified in S. dulcamara fruit extracts, including 22 polyphenolic compounds comprising of 19 phenolic acid derivatives and 3 flavonoids (namely quercetin-3- O -rutinoside and kaempferol-3- O -rutinoside), 10 amides, 16 saponins, 14 steroid alkaloids, 6 lignans, and 15 other compounds [ 312 ]. Notably, the phenolic acids in these extracts are mainly composed of chlorogenic acid ( Figure 6 d), caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid.…”

“…Moreover, methanol fruit extracts were found to exhibit significant potential in eliminating DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. Interestingly, the ability of methanol extracts to remove DPPH was found to be tissue-specific, with the outer tissue (skin) of the bittersweet fruits showing a higher antioxidant activity than the inner tissues (pulp and seeds), possibly due to the higher phenol content in the peel [ 312 ].…”

Medicinal Plants of the Flora of Kazakhstan Used in the Treatment of Skin Diseases

“…Moreover, methanol fruit extracts were found to exhibit significant potential in eliminating DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. Interestingly, the ability of methanol extracts to remove DPPH was found to be tissue-specific, with the outer tissue (skin) of the bittersweet fruits showing a higher antioxidant activity than the inner tissues (pulp and seeds), possibly due to the higher phenol content in the peel [102].…”

“…Through non-targeted LC/MS analysis, a comprehensive list of 83 metabolites has been identified in S. dulcamara fruit extracts, including 22 polyphenolic compounds comprising of 19 phenolic acid derivatives and 3 flavonoids (namely quercetin-3-Orutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside), 10 amides, 16 saponins, 14 steroid alkaloids, 6 lignans, and 15 other compounds[102]. Notably, the phenolic acids in these extracts are mainly composed of chlorogenic acid(6), caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid:…”