Developing of functional foods is a promising strategy to reduce the increasing burden of colorectal cancer worldwide. Fruit pomace, particularly polyphenol and anthocyanin-rich chokeberry and blueberry, is a valuable ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals. Our study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of chokeberry and blueberry pomace extracts on C2BBe1 colorectal carcinoma cells and explore the underlying signaling pathways. We analyzed both pomace extracts for total polyphenols and anthocyanins using Folin-Ciocalteu method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidative activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. We evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects using trypan blue exclusion, MTT and LDH assays, and assessed protein levels of p-Erk1/2, Akt-1, STAT1, STAT3, occludin, oxidized proteins, and MDA-protein adducts through western blotting, as well as analysis of a 37-plex panel of inflammatory markers. Chokeberry extracts exhibited higher total polyphenol content, anthocyanin levels, and antioxidative activity compared to blueberry extracts, however, blueberry extracts effects on cell viability and proliferation in C2BBe1 cells were stronger. Both fruit pomaces induced non-inflammatory cell death characterized by membrane integrity loss, beneficial in cancer therapy. Our data suggests chokeberry’s cytotoxicity may be mediated by Erk signaling and Akt-1 inhibition, while blueberry uniquely decreased occludin levels. These berries pomaces’ potential to mitigate cancer risks and enhance treatment efficacy is promising, warranting further investigation for functional foods development.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a sustainable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, polyphenols, essential minerals, and antioxidant pigments, increasingly valued as a raw material for functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients. Consistent compositional characterization of new lines is therefore essential both for nutritional labeling and authenticating food-grade germplasm. This study characterizes the nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and mineral contribution of three new bean genotypes grown in Buzău County, Romania, across two consecutive harvest years, complemented by ISSR molecular fingerprinting for cultivar authentication. Genotypes were evaluated for dry matter, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, assimilatory pigments, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, crude fiber, total sugars, protein, starch, ash, and microelements (Mn, Cu, Zn) and macroelements (Na, Mg, K, Ca) with nutrient reference values (NRVs) per 100 g. Distinct compositional profiles supported differentiated food applications: L BEC (green, long pod) recorded the highest protein, soluble sugars, titratable acidity, pigments, total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, Na, Mg, Mn, and Zn, indicating suitability for functional and nutraceutical formulations. L 301B (purple pod) accumulated the highest dry matter, ash, crude fiber, total flavonoids, K, and Ca, favoring high-fiber and mineral-fortified products. L HELD (green, flattened pod) yielded the highest °Brix, starch, and Cu, suited to starch-rich, energy-dense foods. All genotypes delivered nutritionally significant amounts of Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Cu, and Zn under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. ISSR analysis revealed clear polymorphism and genotype-specific banding patterns, and inter-annual compositional consistency indicated the reliability of these lines as standardized food raw materials. Coupling biochemical profiling with molecular fingerprinting provides a practical tool for nutritional valorization, cultivar authentication, and prevention of food fraud or substitution.

The blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is known for its high content of bioactive compounds, which are widely recognized for their health-promoting properties. This study aimed to characterize the fruit quality, total phenolic content (TPC), total monomeric anthocyanin content (TMA), anthocyanin profile and antioxidant activity of the nine Romanian V. corymbosum genotypes (‘Augusta’, ‘Azur’, ‘Delicia’, ‘Lax’, ‘Pastel’, ‘Prod’, ‘Safir’, ‘Simultan’, and ‘Vital’) over three consecutive harvest seasons (2023–2025). Significant genotype- and year-dependent variation was observed for all parameters. ‘Lax’ consistently accumulated the highest total anthocyanin content across all three seasons, while ‘Simultan’ exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and total monomeric anthocyanin content. ‘Prod’ consistently recorded the lowest phytochemical values despite achieving the highest firmness in 2025. UPLC analysis identified 10 anthocyanins, covering all five major anthocyanidin classes. Strong positive correlations were found between TPC, TMA, and antioxidant activity. These results confirm that genotype is the primary determinant of blueberry phytochemical composition, as indicated by the largest effect sizes in the two-way ANOVA, with harvest year and genotype × year interaction as statistically significant but secondary modulating factors, and identify ‘Lax’, ‘Simultan’, and ‘Safir’ as promising cultivars for nutraceutical and breeding applications.