Positive Health Online

Abstract

HE C1, ZHANG G1, ZHANG J2,3, ZENG Y1, LIU J1, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China1, State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China; and zhangjg@caf.ac.cn; 3. Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China studied the molecular basis of the relationship between sea buckhorn berries and their colour and antioxidant levels.

Background

Berries of sea buckthorn, known as the "king of vitamin C," are abundant in antioxidants, have attractive colours, and are an excellent material with which to study the relationships between berry colour, antioxidants, and berry quality.

Methodology

No study has yet determined the molecular basis of the relationship between sea buckhorn berries and their colour and antioxidant levels. The authors used RNA-seq, LC-MS/MS, and LC/GC-MS technology and selecting red (darkest coloured) and yellow (lightest coloured) sea buckthorn berries at different development stages.

Results

This study showed that the red and yellow berry resulted from a higher ratio of lycopene to β-carotene and of β-carotene to lycopene content, respectively. The uronic acid pathway-a known animal pathway-in ascorbic acid synthesis was found in sea buckthorn berries, and the higher expression of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in red berries was consistent with the higher content of ascorbic acid.

Conclusion

In summary, multiomic data showed that the colour of sea buckthorn berries is mainly determined by β-carotene and lycopene; red sea buckthorn berries were richer than yellow berries in antioxidants, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid; and the animal pathway might be operating in sea buckthorn.-

References

He, C., Zhang, G., Zhang, J., Zeng, Y., Liu, J. Integrated analysis of multiomic data reveals the role of the antioxidant network in the quality of sea buckthorn berry. FASEB J.;31(5):1929-1938. 2017 May. doi: 10.1096/fj.201600974R. Epub Jan 26 2017.