Phenolic-linked variation in strawberry cultivars for potential dietary management of hyperglycemia and related complications of hypertension

Fruit extracts of different strawberry cultivars were evaluated for their potential to contribute to the dietary management of hyperglycemia-linked to type 2 diabetes and related hypertension. In vitro inhibition of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was evaluated using fruit extracts and correlated to phenolic content and antioxidant activity. There were significant differences between cultivars in both phenolic-linked antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity for the targeted disease relevant enzymes. Honeoye, Idea, and jewel cultivars exhibited moderate alpha-amylase inhibition. Strawberry cultivars, in general, exhibited uniform alpha-glucosidase inhibition with Ovation having the highest inhibitory activity. Water extracts of Jewel and Ovation cultivars had moderate ACE inhibition compared to low inhibition observed in other cultivars. Strawberry cultivars with combined inhibitory potential against alpha-glucosidase and ACE and with moderate or low alpha-amylase inhibitory potential could be targeted for potential management of hyperglycemia-linked type 2 diabetes and related complication of hypertension. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.