Feature
Anthocyanins have been found to offer a defence against oxidation and are thus regarded as “ antioxidants ”. Moreover , they are also now seen as being able to regulate tissue inflammation – a major causative factor in rheumatoid arthritis , the aforementioned coronary artery disease and myriad other diseases such as Parkinson ’ s , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( Lou Gehrig ' s disease ) and allergic disorders .
Anthocyanins are also being cited for helping to arrest declining brain function . Ageing causes brain cells to degenerate with the loss of
Anthocyanins are also being cited for helping to arrest declining brain function . Ageing causes brain cells to degenerate with the loss of a protein called the “ brain-derived neurotrophic factor ” ( BDNF ). BDNF is essential in making new brain connections .
According to Rowan Berecry , orchard manager at Good Rich Fruit Co ’ s Warroo Station near Inglewood , on the southern Darling Downs in Queensland , the Queen Garnet has a very dark flesh and skin , which are outward indicators of high anthocyanin content .
The Warroo Station orchard was planted in 2010 – 2011 and currently has 75,000 Queen Garnet trees , plus polliniser plum trees , Mr Berecry said .
“ While this orchard was originally planted with processing in mind and there are umpteen options there , we thought we would give ( this new plum ) a a protein called the “ brain-derived neurotrophic profile in the fresh fruit market first . factor ” ( BDNF ). BDNF is essential in making new “ However , there ’ s been such a huge response ( for fresh brain connections . Research ( on rats ) has shown that fruit ) that we will keep it going ( as fruit ) at this stage . supplementation with anthocyanins raises the levels of
“ It all snowballed after we asked the media and also BDNF in the hippocampus region of the brain , the area invited Queensland Agriculture Minister . responsible for memory function .
“ First up , we found ourselves on the front of Queensland
But what has evidently given anthocyanins – and the Country Life , then we were on ( ABC ’ s ) Landline ( program ), foods which contain them in significant amounts – a huge so the whole thing started exploding . boost in demand is their role in fighting obesity . Recent
“ Last year I think we ’ ve had five film crews all through evidence suggests that anthocyanins enhance the ability of the packing shed ; then it just fed on itself , you couldn ’ t pay the body to absorb and utilise sugar for energy production for the publicity that we got .” instead of storing it as fat deposits .
The demand for the plum has grown and grown , fuelled
The Queen Garnet plum was bred by Dr Bruce Topp by recent publicity about an “ obesity epidemic ” and a spike and Dougal Russel of Queensland Department of Primary in general interest in nutrition . Industries ( now Queensland Department of Agriculture
The plan for next season ? and Fisheries ) in the early 2000s . Its high anthocyanin
“ The majority will be fresh market ,” Mr Berecry said . levels , said to be 150 – 280mg per 100g , makes it extremely “ We ’ ll start probably in mid-January . competitive in the now rampant anthocyanin market
“ The Queen Garnet stores really well , it looks like we against other plums , where the range is 3 – 30mg per can store it probably for eight weeks .”
100g ; and various other sources of anthocyanins such as
With other orchards coming on stream further south , Mr berries – blueberries in particular – as well as açai , bilberry , Berecry reckons the market expectations for Queen Garnet cranberry and blackcurrant ; plus sour cherry . fresh fruit can be met from January to the end of April .
The Queensland Government has licensed the Queen
The future seems almost unlimited . Garnet to Nutrafruit Pty Ltd , a consortium of businessmen Nutrafruit purchased the plant breeder rights from the of which Bim and Rick Goodrich are shareholders and
Queensland Government , whose scientists developed the directors . variety .
28 Australian Stonefruit Grower | august 2016 summerfruit . com . au