Blueberry is the source of a variety of bioactive substances, including phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, pterostilbene, phenolic acids, etc. Several studies have revealed that polyphenols in blueberry have important bioactivities in maintaining health, such as antioxidant and anti-tumor activities, immune regulation, the prevention of chronic diseases, etc. Therefore, these phenolic compounds in blueberries have been widely used in the field of healthcare, and the extraction, isolation, and purification of phenolic compounds are the prerequisites for their utilization. It is imperative to systematically review the research progress and prospects of phenolic compounds present in blueberries. Herein, the latest progress in the extraction, purification, and analysis of phenolic compounds from blueberries is reviewed, which can in turn provide a foundation for further research and usage of blueberries.

Kudzu root (Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi, KR) is an edible plant with rich nutritional and medicinal values. Over the past few decades, an ample variety of biological effects of Pueraria isoflavone have been evaluated. Evidence has shown that Pueraria isoflavone can play an active role in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular protection. Over 50 isoflavones in kudzu root have been identified, including puerarin, daidzein, daidzin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, and genistein, each with unambiguous structures. However, the application of these isoflavones in the development of functional food and health food still depends on the extraction, purification and identification technology of Pueraria isoflavone. In recent years, many green and novel extraction, purification, and identification techniques have been developed for the preparation of Pueraria isoflavone. This review provides an updated overview of these techniques, specifically for isoflavones in KR since 2018, and also discusses and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques in depth. The intention is to provide a research basis for the green and efficient extraction, purification, and identification of Pueraria isoflavone and offers investigators a valuable reference for future studies on the KR.

Bletilla striata polysaccharides: from fundamental studies to biomaterials.

In this paper, Cu-BTC derived mesoporous CuS nanomaterial (m-CuS) was synthesized via a two-step process involving carbonization and sulfidation of Cu-BTC for colorimetric glutathione detection. The Cu-BTC was constructed by 1,3,5-benzenetri-carboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and Cu²⁺ ions. The obtained m-CuS showed a large specific surface area (55.751 m²/g), pore volume (0.153 cm³/g), and pore diameter (15.380 nm). In addition, the synthesized m-CuS exhibited high peroxidase-like activity and could catalyze oxidation of the colorless substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine to a blue product. Peroxidase-like activity mechanism studies using terephthalic acid as a fluorescent probe proved that m-CuS assists H₂O₂ decomposition to reactive oxygen species, which are responsible for TMB oxidation. However, the catalytic activity of m-CuS for the oxidation of TMB by H₂O₂ could be potently inhibited in the presence of glutathione. Based on this phenomenon, the colorimetric detection of glutathione was demonstrated with good selectivity and high sensitivity. The linear range was 1–20 μM and 20–300 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The m-CuS showing good stability and robust peroxidase catalytic activity was applied for the detection of glutathione in human urine samples.

Cherry kernels are a by-product of cherries that are usually discarded, leading to waste and pollution. In this study, the chemical composition of 21 batches of cherry kernels from two different cherry species was analyzed using untargeted metabolomics. The in vitro antioxidant activity, cellular antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity of these kernel extracts were also determined, and a correlation analysis was conducted between differential compounds and biological activity. A total of 49 differential compounds were screened. The kernels of Prunus tomentosa were found to have significantly higher total phenol, total flavonoid content, and biological activity than those of Prunus pseudocerasus (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids had the greatest contribution to biological activity. The study suggests that both species of cherry kernel, particularly Prunus tomentosa, could be a potential source of bioactive compounds that could be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.