Wild blueberry bioactives: effects of post‐harvest handling on anthocyanin retention and influence of blueberry extracts on proliferation of HepG2 cells

Anthocyanins, found in wild blueberries (WBB), are a class of flavonoid compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. To better understand how WBB could benefit human health processes, experiments were conducted 1) to evaluate the effects of post-harvest handling on the retention of WBB anthocyanins, and 2) to study the influence of WBB extracts on the proliferation of HepG2 cells. Using HPLC methods, anthocyanin concentrations were measured in extracts of WBB that had been quick-frozen (IQF), freeze dried (FD), or freeze packaged by a commercial source (CS). Results indicate that IQF and FD WBB have similar anthocyanin profiles, with both exhibiting higher concentrations than the CS WBB. IQF WBB subjected to a series of freeeze-thaw and room temperature storage treatments exhibited a reduction in the concentration of WBB anthocyanins. Additionally, a colorimetric assay (MTS) was used to assess cell proliferation over a 96 h period following variable doses of crude or polyphenolic-enriched (PPE) extracts of WBB. Cell proliferation was increased after 96h with 25 ug/ml crude extract, relative to control, while PPE treatment showed an increase in proliferation after 48 h for all concentrations used. These studies will help identify the bioactive potential of WBB, when consumed in forms available to consumers. Funded through USDA-ARS Project No. 0204-41510-001-24S.