Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and other health-promoting properties of Jamaican Rubus berry species

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Food Processing & Technology

August 10-12, 2015 London, UK

Camille S Bowen-Forbes

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Although Jamaica is a highly fruitful country, many of its fruit species are unknown by the masses resulting in their exclusion
from the diet and their non-exploitation with respect to cultivation and use in research and food and nutraceutical product
development. The goal of our research therefore is to conduct research on uncommon Jamaican plant species including fruits, aimed
at investigating their health-beneficial properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anticancer properties.
This is done with a view of promoting productive utilization of the island’s plant resources. Studies have been done on four berries
species from the Rubus genus (R. rosifolius, R. racemosus, R. ellipticus and R. jamaicensis, three raspberry and one blackberry
species respectively). Our results revealed that the Jamaican berries possess high antioxidant activities and levels of anthocyanins
comparable to those found in similar commercial varieties sold worldwide. Extracts of the Jamaican berries demonstrated superior
anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties compared to their counterparts. Additionally, extracts and compounds from the red
and yellow raspberries (respectively R. rosifolius and R. ellipticus) showed anti-proliferative activity against several cancer cell lines
including colon, breast and stomach cancers. Rubus leaf extracts have demonstrated high antioxidant activity and are good sources
α-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid. Phenolics including gallic acid, 3-0-methyl catechin and epicatechin have been isolated from
Rubus leaf extracts which significantly account for their antioxidant activity. These results prove that these uncommon fruit species
represent a valuable natural resource which may be productively harnessed for their health-promoting properties.

Biography :

Camille S Bowen-Forbes completed her PhD in 2006 from The University of the West Indies and Postdoctoral studies from the Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals
Laboratory, Michigan State University. She is a Lecturer at UWI and has published her work in reputed science journals. Two of her publications received institutional awards
for best research publication.