Assessment of Blackcurrant Twigs Potential as a Renewable Source of Proanthocyanidins in Latvia

Blackcurrant (Ribes Nigrum L.) is one of the most common shrubs in Latvia, in addition to fruits and leaves, twigs cut in spring and autumn are rich in oligomeric polyphenols - proanthocyanidins, which have powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. The yield of proanthocyanidin-containing extracts ranged from 12 to 22%/DM. At the same time, the twigs cut in autumn were richer in proanthocyanidin than in spring. The strong antimicrobial properties of the extracts showed their effectiveness against a wide range of bacteria, which makes the extracts promising for use in medicine and the food industry. All extracts introduced into the lipid-based cosmetic cream showed antioxidant activity comparable to reference samples. This indicates the potential for using these extracts as active ingredients in cosmetics aimed at protecting the skin from the negative effects of free radicals. The results obtained open up new opportunities for developing innovative cosmetic formulations with improved antioxidant properties that help slow down the ageing process of the skin and maintain its health. The use of blackcurrant twigs is a sustainable and cost-effective source of valuable bioactive compounds.