Levels and health risk assessment of pesticides and metals in Lycium barbarum L. from different sources in Ningxia, China

The berries of Lycium barbarum L. (Goji) are widely used as a Chinese traditional herbal medicine and functional food because of their reported beneficial pharmacological effects. However, there are reports of Goji berries being contaminated by chemical residues that could pose a hazard to humans. In this study, samples of L. barbarum L. berries were collected from plantations in a genuine production area and supermarkets in Ningxia, China. The major hazardous chemicals, including pesticides (dichlorvos, omethoate, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, malathion, and deltamethrin) and metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As)), were quantified by gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. In addition, associated daily exposures and health risks were determined using deterministic and probabilistic assessments. The levels of five pesticides from the plantation samples were considerably lower than the maximum residue limits; only dichlorvos was detected in the supermarket samples, and deltamethrin was not detected in any samples. Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Ni and Cd were detected in samples from both sources. The hazard quotient values of individual hazardous chemicals and the hazard index of combined hazardous chemicals were considerably less than 1, indicating the absence of a non-carcinogenic effect of hazardous chemical exposures through Goji berry consumption. The R value of As was much less than 10–6, which shows that consumption of the Goji berries had no obvious carcinogenic risks. The potentially harmful effects of the L. barbarum L. are more likely from berries obtained from plantations than those from supermarkets, and metal exposure is more dangerous than pesticide exposure. However, on the basis of our analysis, no population would be exposed hazardous chemicals exceeding existing standards, and the factors most affecting the health risk were exposure frequency and As content.

Current findings and future prospective of high-value trans Himalayan medicinal plant Lycium ruthenicum Murr: a systematic review

Background The genus Lycium is commercially known for its nutrient dense goji-berries, among these berries, black goji-berries obtained from Lycium ruthenicum Murr are highly valued and widely used as traditional medicine in trans-himalayan cold desert Ladakh and as functional food in several countries. Methods The current collection of data and literature was done by exploring different scientific portals like SciFinder, Google scholar, PubMed, Dictonary of Natural Products, Institute for Scientific Information, Web of Science and Scopus by searching keywords like black goji berry, crystal pearl, and trans-Himalayan plant. Results Fruits of L. ruthenicum Murr, are overwhelmingly enriched in anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, polysaccharides, spermine and spermidine alkaloids. The presence of these bioactive phyto-chemicals has been linked with reported anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, anti-atherosclerosis and neuro-protective properties of black goji berries. A unique color of these berries makes them exceptional as compared to other berries. Conclusions In this article, we have reviewed the variety of high value phytochemicals of Lycium ruthenicum Murr, with a special focus on health promoting anthocyanins which will provide an insight to the readers for exploring novel applications of L. ruthenicum Murr in field of medicine and food industries.

Dietary Supplementation with Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum) Modulates the Microbiota of Digestive Tract and Caecal Metabolites in Rabbits

Goji berries show health benefits, although the possible mechanisms of action, including compositional changes in the gut microbiome, are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Goji berry supplementation on microbiota composition and metabolites in the digestive tracts of rabbits. Twenty-eight New Zealand White rabbits were fed with a commercial feed (control group, C; n = 14) or the same diet supplemented with 3% of Goji berries (Goji group, G; n = 14), from weaning (35 days old) until slaughter (90 days old). At slaughter, samples from the content of the gastrointestinal tracts were collected and analyzed by Next Generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing to evaluate the microbial composition. Ammonia and lactic acid were also quantified in caecum. Results showed differences in microbiota composition between the groups for two phyla (Cyanobacteria and Euryarchaeota), two classes (Methanobacteria and Bacilli), five orders, fourteen families, and forty-five genera. Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.05) and Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.01) were more abundant in G than in C group. Lactobacillaceae also showed differences between the two groups, with Lactobacillus as the predominant genus (p = 0.002). Finally, Goji berry supplementation stimulated lactic acid fermentation (p < 0.05). Thus, Goji berry supplementation could modulate gastrointestinal microbiota composition and caecal fermentation.

Potential of dietary supplementation with berries to enhance immunity in humans

One of the most prominent concerns that has arisen from global events such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is how the immune system might be enhanced to provide greater protection against malignant conditions and diseases. Dietary modification is one of the major fields of research, with special focus on how diet interacts with immunity through impacts on factors such as the gut microbiome, inflammation, and nutritional imbalance. This review focuses on current research regarding the use of bioactives derived from berries as a dietary supplement to improve immunity, with discussions of relevant clinical studies. Major bioactive, metabolic compounds of focus- flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, dietary fiber, and stilbenes- have demonstrated biochemical merits in modulating immunity. In addition, blueberries, goji berries, black raspberries, and cranberries, which have been extensively researched and recently gained interest for their effects on the immune system in animal and cell models, may also hold promise in providing similar benefits to humans, though the precise immunological effects have yet to be clearly determined. Overall, the field of berry research as it relates to diet and immunity shows potential, but more clinical studies will be necessary for a full understanding of the mechanisms of berry immunomodulation.

Effectiveness of Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum) Extract and Some Nanoparticles Loaded on Gelatin Film on Microbial Content of Labneh

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum extract, Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) and Nanotitanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) loaded on Gelatin films on the microbial content of labneh during different storage periods. The samples were divided into seven treatments which included (T1) non-coated labneh, (T2) labneh coated with gelatin membranes, (T3) labneh coated with gelatin membranes and Lycium barbarum extract, (T4) labneh coated with gelatin films and ChNPs, (T5) labneh coated with gelatin films treated TiO2NPs, (T6) Labneh coated with gelatin films, Lycium barbarum and ChNPs, (T7) Labneh coated with gelatin films, Lycium barbarum and TiO2 NPs. The total number of bacteria decreased after loading with the membranes for each specific period of time, and the treatment with T7 was the best, as the total number of bacteria decreased to 9.93 log/gm compared to the two controls (T1, T2), which amounted to (15.58, 13.47 log/gm) after 14 days of storage, respectively. While the numbers of Lipolytic and Proteolytic bacteria, yeasts and molds did not show any growth at the time of one day, with the prolonged storage period, the gradual increase in the total count of bacteria occurred for all treatments, it reached the highest numbers at the time of 14 days. Treatment T7 was the best in reducing the numbers of both lipolytic and proteinolytic bacteria, as well as yeasts and molds.

Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a biomarker for AMD, is a non-invasive measure to assess risk. The macula xanthophyll pigments lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protect against blue light and provide oxidant defense, which can be indexed by MPOD. This study examined the effects of Z-rich goji berry intake on MPOD and skin carotenoids in healthy individuals. A randomized, unmasked, parallel-arm study was conducted with 27 participants, aged 45–65, who consumed either 28 g of goji berries or a supplement containing 6 mg L and 4 mg Z (LZ), five times weekly for 90 days. After 90 days, MPOD was significantly increased in the goji berry group at 0.25 and 1.75 retinal eccentricities (p = 0.029 and p = 0.044, respectively), while no changes were noted in the LZ group. Skin carotenoids were significantly increased in the goji berry group at day 45 (p = 0.025) and day 90 (p = 0.006), but not in the LZ group. Regular intake of goji berries in a healthy middle-aged population increases MPOD may help prevent or delay the development of AMD.

Research on changes of the quality indicators of semi-finished products during during storage

Considering the results of literary studies on the nutritional value and biological efficiency of cranberries and goji berries, it has been established that the development of the technology of semi-finished minced products with their use is relevant and has practical importance in the production of fish products. The article deals with the results of the chemical composition, organoleptic evaluation, and physical and chemical changes in semi-finished minced products with the addition of non-traditional raw materials and the establishment of their shelf life. The expediency of combining freshwater fish with plant material to expand the range of biologically valuable food products is presented in the article. The general positive impressions, harmonious, fish and sweet-salty taste, have shown the expediency of combining cranberries and goji berries with freshwater fish, as evidenced by high levels of appearance, taste, and smell. In terms of consistency, fish cutlets are plastic and dense on the cut. It has been found that there are processes of hydrolytic damage in the control sample after 90 days of storage, which indicates the intensive lipid hydrolysis and the accumulation of free fatty acids in these samples. In experimental samples, hydrolytic damage gradually increases and reaches its critical point only close to the end of the shelf life. Oxidation processes in the lipids of semi-finished products were studied by changes in the accumulation of primary oxidation products – peroxides and secondary products – carbonyl compounds. According to the dynamics of changes in the peroxide value of lipids of semi-finished products, it has been established that the control sample for 60-135 days has not been subjected to storage, and in experimental samples after 135 days, the quality of the fat deteriorates and is characterized as the one that is not subjected to storage. The research has established that the use of non-traditional raw materials in the production of semi-finished minced products allows to improve the technology of production and solve the problem of obtaining the product of a high nutritional value. The authors found that the developed technology of production of semi-finished fish products will significantly expand the range of products of functional purpose based on natural components, which will allow, to some extent, to broaden the current problem of processing raw materials from domestic reservoirs in Ukraine.

Spirulina, wakame or goji berries do not lower markers of low-grade systemic inflammation in healthy subjects

Introduction: We have earlier reported that consumption of the algae spirulina (Arthrospira platensis or maxima) and wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) for 17 days, and a single dose of goji berries (Lycium barbarum) did not affect fasting or postprandial CVD risk markers in healthy subjects. However, evidence is increasing that low-grade systemic inflammation is also an important marker for CVD risk. Based on information from in vitro and animal studies, we hypothesize that both consumption of the algae spirulina and wakame as well as a single dose of goji berries lowers markers for low-grade inflammation. Methods: Two randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trials were performed. In the algae study, 35 non-hypercholesterolemic, healthy subjects consumed 4.8 grams of spirulina, wakame or placebo for 17 days, separated by 14-day washout periods. After 17 days, fasting serum TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, and hsCRP concentrations were measured. In the goji berry study, 17 healthy, overweight men received a mixed meal with or without 25 grams of dried goji berries. Before and up to 4 hours after meal intake, serum concentrations of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured. Results: Consumption of spirulina or wakame did not affect serum concentrations of TNFα, IL-6, IL-8 or hsCRP. In the goji berry study, serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations increased postprandially. For IL-8, these increases were more pronounced after the goji berry meal compared to the control meal (P = 0.003). No effects on TNFα were observed. Conclusion: 17 days of spirulina or wakame consumption, or a single dose of goji berries did not lower markers of low-grade systemic inflammation in healthy, non-immunocompromised subjects. It is plausible that anti-inflammatory effects of these interventions can only be expected in subjects with an inflammatory risk.Keywords: spirulina, wakame, goji berries, low-grade systemic inflammation, cytokines