(P04-009-24) Decoding the Total Bioactive Health Potential of the Cranberry Through AI

Objectives: Cranberries are well known as a rich source of polyphenols with health benefits, such as UTI prevention, gut health, heart health and antioxidant activity. With the development of AI tools, the ability to uncover additional bioactive compounds in over 100 varieties of cranberries and their impact on human health has been accelerated.

Methods: Six cranberry samples of different varieties, including Crimson Queen, NJ-04-14-44, Early Black, Yellow Bell, and Stevens from Massachusetts, New Jersey or Wisconsin, were analyzed by Brightseed’s Forager® AI platform to predict compounds and their associations with human health.

Results: Brightseed’s proprietary AI platform predicted four times more phytonutrients with health benefits than previously reported in cranberries. In addition to polyphenols, all cranberry samples were predicted to include the compound classes terpenes, phytosterols, and aromatic acids. Of these, terpenes were predicted to be in the highest abundance, with over 7 types of terpenes, including triterpenoids, identified in all varieties. Previous research has shown that cranberries are rich in the triterpenoids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid and these are associated with anti-inflammatory benefits. Among the varieties, Early Black, NJ-04-14-44, and Crimson Queen samples from Wisconsin were found to have the greatest diversity of terpenes. These three varieties were also predicted to have the largest number of associated compounds with health benefits.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the Forager platform was able to identify multiple phytonutrients that have not been extensively studied in cranberries, including terpenes, however more research is needed to confirm these results and to account for natural year to year variation in the cranberry crop.

Funding Sources: Ocean Spray