Evaluation of the Nutraceutical and Cosmeceutical Potential of Two Cultivars of Rubus fruticosus L. under Different Cultivation Conditions

Title:Evaluation of the Nutraceutical and Cosmeceutical Potential of Two Cultivars of Rubus fruticosus L. under Different Cultivation Conditions

Volume: 18 Issue: 11

Author(s): Maria Papaioanou, Evangelia G. Chronopoulou, Gheorghii Ciobotari , Rodica C. Efrose, Liliana Sfichi-Duke, Marianna Chatzikonstantinou, Evangelia Pappa, Ioannis Ganopoulos, Panagiotis Madesis, Irini Nianiou-Obeidat, Taofen Zeng and Nikolaos E. Labrou*

Affiliation:

• Laboratory of Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Street, GR-11855-Athens,Greece

Keywords: Anthocyanins, cosmeceuticals, flavonoids, nutraceuticals, polyphenols, Rubus fruticosus.

Abstract: Background: The starting point for the development of new, functional products derived from Rubus fruticosus L. is to determine the optimal cultivation conditions that produce maximal yield of fruits containing desirable bioactive properties. Towards that goal, the effect of soil, soil/peat mixture and light intensity on the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical potential of two cultivars (‘Thornfree’ and ‘Loch Ness') of Rubus fruticosus L. were evaluated.

Methods: The assessment was carried out employing a range of methods for evaluating fruit properties associated with promoting good health such as total antioxidant capacity, secondary metabolites content (vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins) and inhibition analysis of skin-regulating enzymes.

Results: ‘Thornfree' cultivar produced fruits in all light conditions, while ‘Loch Ness' did not produce fruits in low light conditions. The results showed that in Rubus fruticosus L. fruit, the chemical composition and bioactivity are strongly affected by both genetics factors and growing conditions. Extract from ‘Thornfree' fruits obtained under low light and soil/peat conditions displayed superior properties such as high antioxidant capacity, high concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins and high inhibitory potency towards the enzymes tyrosinase and elastase. This extract was used for the development of a topical skin care cream with excellent compatibility and stability.

Conclusion: Our findings conclude that Rubus fruticosus L. cultivation may be efficiently and effectively manipulated through conventional cultivation techniques to produce promising bioactive ingredients with potential use in commercial cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Cite this article as:

Papaioanou Maria, Chronopoulou G. Evangelia, Ciobotari Gheorghii, Efrose C. Rodica, Sfichi-Duke Liliana, Chatzikonstantinou Marianna, Pappa Evangelia, Ganopoulos Ioannis, Madesis Panagiotis, Nianiou-Obeidat Irini, Zeng Taofen and Labrou E. Nikolaos*, Evaluation of the Nutraceutical and Cosmeceutical Potential of Two Cultivars of Rubus fruticosus L. under Different Cultivation Conditions, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2017; 18 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389201019666171226150750