Abstract
The blackberry seed flour was cold-extracted using 50% acetone and examined for its phytochemical composition and health-beneficial properties including in vitro gut microbiota modulatory, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative capacities. Among identified thirteen components of blackberry seed flour extract through UHPLC-MS analysis, sanguiin H6 was the primary component and followed by ellagic acid and pedunculagin. For health-beneficial properties, the blackberry seed flour extract increased the total number of gut bacteria and shifted the abundance of specific bacterial phylum, family, or genus. The extract had RDSC, ORAC, HOSC, and ABTS•+ scavenging capacities of 362, 304, 2,531, and 267 μmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g, respectively. In addition, the blackberry seed flour extract showed capacities for anti-inflammation and antiproliferation by suppressing LPS induced IL-1β mRNA expressions in the cultured J774A.1 mouse macrophages and the proliferation of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The results suggest potential health benefits and further utilization of blackberry seed flour as functional foods.