Blackthorn-A Valuable Source of Phenolic Antioxidants with Potential Health Benefits

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 28; no. 8; p. 3456
• Main Authors: Negrean, Oana-Raluca, Farcas, Anca Corina, Pop, Oana Lelia, Socaci, Sonia Ancuta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-04-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Analysis; Anthocyanins; Anthocyanins - analysis; antibacterial properties; Antihypertensives; antioxidant; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - analysis; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Bioactive compounds; bioactivities; Bioavailability; Bioflavonoids; Biological activity; blackthorn; Catechin; Cosmetics; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Epicatechin; Ethanol; Flavones; Flavonoids; Flavonoids - analysis; Food; Food industry; Fruit; Fruit - chemistry; Fruits; Humans; Institutional repositories; Kaempferol; Organic acids; Oxidative stress; Phenolic acids; Phenols; Phenols - analysis; Phenols - pharmacology; Physiological aspects; Physiological effects; Plant Extracts - analysis; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Polyphenols; Prunus; Prunus spinosa; Prunus spinosa L; Quercetin; Review; Rutin; Solvent extraction; Vitamins; Serbia; Romania; antibacterial properties; blackthorn; antioxidant; Prunus spinosa L; bioactivities
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083456

L. fruit, commonly known as blackthorn, is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, which exhibit significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Notably, flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, and rutin have been reported to have protective effects against diabetes, while other flavonoids, including myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, exhibit antihypertensive activity. Solvent extraction methods are widely used for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plant sources, owing to their simplicity, efficacy, and broad applicability. Furthermore, modern extraction techniques, such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), have been employed to extract polyphenols from
L. fruits. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the biologically active compounds found in blackthorn fruits, emphasizing their direct physiological effects on the human body. Additionally, the manuscript highlights the potential applications of blackthorn fruits in various industries, including the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and functional product sectors.