Cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) are naturally occurring plant molecules (nitrogenous plant secondary metabolites) which consist of an aglycone and a sugar moiety. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released from these compounds following enzymatic hydrolysis causing potential toxicity issues. The presence of CNGs in American elderberry (AE) fruit, Sambucus nigra (subsp. canadensis), is uncertain. A sensitive, reproducible and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and optimized for accurate identification and quantification of the intact glycoside. A complimentary picrate paper test method was modified to determine the total cyanogenic potential (TCP). TCP analysis was performed using a camera-phone and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A method validation was conducted and the developed methods were successfully applied to the assessment of TCP and quantification of intact CNGs in different tissues of AE samples. Results showed no quantifiable trace of CNGs in commercial AE juice. Levels of CNGs found in various fruit tissues of AE cultivars studied ranged from between 0.12 and 6.38 µg/g. In pressed juice samples, the concentration range measured was 0.29–2.36 µg/mL and in seeds the levels were 0.12–2.38 µg/g. TCP was highest in the stems and green berries. Concentration levels in all tissues were generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers of fresh and processed AE products.

Despite data showing that nutritional interventions high in antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanin-rich foods, such as blueberries/elderberries) may decrease risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, evidence for such effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is limited. This study examined preliminary effects of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) juice on cognition and inflammatory markers in patients with MCI. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo–controlled trial, patients with MCI (n = 24, M_age = 76.33 ± 6.95) received American elderberry (n = 11) or placebo (n = 13) juice (5 mL orally 3 times a day) for 6 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, patients completed tasks measuring global cognition, verbal memory, language, visuospatial cognitive flexibility/problem solving, and memory. A subsample (n = 12, 7 elderberry/5 placebo) provided blood samples to measure serum inflammatory markers. Multilevel models examined effects of the condition (elderberry/placebo), time (baseline/3 months/6 months), and condition by time interactions on cognition/inflammation outcomes. Attrition rates for elderberry (18%) and placebo (15%) conditions were fairly low. The dosage compliance (elderberry—97%; placebo—97%) and completion of cognitive (elderberry—88%; placebo—87%) and blood-based (elderberry—100%; placebo—100%) assessments was high. Elderberry (not placebo) trended (p = 0.09) towards faster visuospatial problem solving performance from baseline to 6 months. For the elderberry condition, there were significant or significantly trending decreases over time across several markers of low-grade peripheral inflammation, including vasorin, prenylcysteine oxidase 1, and complement Factor D. Only one inflammatory marker showed an increase over time (alpha-2-macroglobin). In contrast, for the placebo, several inflammatory marker levels increased across time (L-lactate dehydrogenase B chain, complement Factor D), with one showing deceased levels over time (L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain). Daily elderberry juice consumption in patients with MCI is feasible and well tolerated and may provide some benefit to visuospatial cognitive flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest elderberry juice may reduce low-grade inflammation compared to a placebo–control. These promising findings support the need for larger, more definitive prospective studies with longer follow-ups to better understand mechanisms of action and the clinical utility of elderberries for potentially mitigating cognitive decline.

The North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a tropical fruit that is known to be the largest edible fruit native to the United States. The fruit has remained uncommercialized because of the rapid changes in quality that occur after the fruit is harvested. However, only a few studies have evaluated the quality of the fruit during postharvest storage. This study aimed to assess the effect of different concentrations of chitosan and sodium alginate coatings, and freshness paper treatments on the quality characteristics of pawpaw fruits during storage and use TOPSIS-Shannon entropy analyses to determine which treatment best maintains the quality of the fruits from three cultivars. The results show that the chitosan coatings were more effective in slowing moisture loss in Sunflower fruits than in Susquehanna and 10–35 fruits over time. Similarly, the freshness paper treatment controlled moisture loss more effectively than sodium alginate coatings. The 10–35 fruits with 1% chitosan coating had very little change in skin color and physical appearance compared to all the other treatments. The TOPSIS-Shannon entropy analyses showed that the 10–35 fruits with 1% chitosan had the most stable quality over time, followed by the Susquehanna and Sunflower fruits with 2% chitosan coatings. The experimental data from different cultivars, treatments, and storage conditions, proved the shelf-life of pawpaw fruit could be extended from 5 days to 15–20 days depending on the cultivar. These findings will enable the creation of markets for pawpaw fruits and allow countries that grow them to generate revenue from this underutilized specialty crop.

Silvopasture systems combine tree and livestock production to minimize market risk and enhance ecological services. Our objective was to explore and develop a method for identifying driving factors linked to productivity in a silvopastoral system using machine learning. A multi-variable approach was used to detect factors that affect system-level output (i.e., plant production (tree and forage), soil factors, and animal response based on grazing preference). Variables from a three-year (2017–2019) grazing study, including forage, tree, soil, and terrain attribute parameters, were analyzed. Hierarchical variable clustering and random forest model selected 10 important variables for each of four major clusters. A stepwise multiple linear regression and regression tree approach was used to predict cattle grazing hours per animal unit (h ha⁻¹ AU⁻¹) using 40 variables (10 per cluster) selected from 130 total variables. Overall, the variable ranking method selected more weighted variables for systems-level analysis. The regression tree performed better than stepwise linear regression for interpreting factor-level effects on animal grazing preference. Cattle were more likely to graze forage on soils with Cd levels <0.04 mg kg⁻¹ (126% greater grazing hours per AU), soil Cr <0.098 mg kg⁻¹ (108%), and a SAGA wetness index of <2.7 (57%). Cattle also preferred grazing (88%) native grasses compared to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). The result shows water flow within the landscape position (wetness index), and associated metals distribution may be used as an indicator of animal grazing preference. Overall, soil nutrient distribution patterns drove grazing response, although animal grazing preference was also influenced by aboveground (forage and tree), soil, and landscape attributes. Machine learning approaches helped explain pasture use and overall drivers of grazing preference in a multifunctional system.

UHPLC-MS-based non-targeted metabolomics was used to investigate the biochemical basis of pecan scab resistance. Two contrasting pecan varieties, Kanza (scab-resistant) and Pawnee (scab-susceptible), were profiled and the metabolomics data analyzed using multivariate statistics. Significant qualitative and quantitative metabolic differences were observed between the two varieties. Both varieties were found to have some unique metabolites. Metabolites that were only present or more abundant in Kanza relative to Pawnee could potentially contribute to the scab resistance in Kanza. Some of these metabolites were putatively identified as quercetin derivatives using tandem mass spectrometry. This suggests that quercetin derivatives could be important to pecan scab resistance.