Exploring the Bioactive Compounds in Some Apple Vinegar Samples and Their Biological Activities

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Apple vinegar is recognized for its nutritional value and health benefits.
• The specific apple cultivar used is a critical determinant of vinegar quality.
• Understanding cultivar-specific impacts is essential for optimizing vinegar production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how four distinct apple cultivars influence the physicochemical properties, chemical composition, and biological activities of apple vinegar.
• To evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and antimicrobial effects of vinegars derived from different apple cultivars.
• To identify key bioactive compounds and their correlation with observed biological activities.

Main Methods:

• Four different apple cultivars were used for vinegar production.
• Physicochemical attributes and chemical composition (including acetic and polyphenol content) were analyzed.
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed for acid analysis.
• In vivo studies on Wistar rats assessed anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activities.
• Antimicrobial efficacy was tested against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans.
• Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, β-carotene decolorization, and TAC assays.

Main Results:

• Apple cultivar significantly affected vinegar's physicochemical properties, acetic acid, and polyphenol content.
• Citric acid and gallic acid were the most abundant organic acids identified via HPLC.
• Golden Delicious apple vinegar demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory (37.50% reduction) and antidepressant (31.07% reduction in immobility time) effects in rats.
• Golden Delicious vinegar exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans (MIC = 31.81 mg/mL).
• Vinegar samples displayed strong antioxidant activities across multiple assays.

Conclusions:

• The selection of apple cultivars is a crucial factor influencing the chemical profile and biological properties of apple vinegar.
• Golden Delicious apple vinegar shows promising therapeutic potential for inflammation, depression, and microbial infections.
• This study underscores the importance of raw material selection in producing high-quality, bioactive apple vinegar.