Red raspberry (Rubus crataegifolius) is a well-known fruit with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer resources containing bioactive phenolic acids, terpenoids, glucosinolates, and glycosides. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of red raspberry cookies on quality characteristics and antioxidant activities. Cookies were prepared adding different concentrations of red raspberry powder (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50% to the flour weight). The bulk density, pH, spread ratio, loss rate, leavening rate, color, hardness of dough, and cookies were investigated. As a result, the pH of the dough, leavening and loss rate, and L- and b-value of the cookies are significantly decreased with increasing levels of red raspberry powder (p < 0.05). On the other hand, spread ratio, a-value, and brix of the cookies are significantly increased with increasing levels of red raspberry powder (p < 0.05). Total phenol compounds and FRAP assay are significantly increased with increasing levels of red raspberry powder (p < 0.05). Based on the overall observation, red raspberry cookies with 10-20% Rubus crataegifolius powder is recommended to take advantage of its functional properties with consumer acceptability.

A lot of research about applications of natural extracts to both food and medicine is in progress. In this paper, we tested the applicability of Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract in functional materials including its anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the effects of Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract on the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators in RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. The protein expression of COX-2, iNOS, IL- 4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK, JNK, p38) and the activation of NF-κB with Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract were assayed in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Pre-treatment with Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract significantly inhibited the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent item and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract significantly reduced the phosphorylation of MAPKs. The NF-κB was strongly suppressed by extracts. Moreover, the pathological phenotypes of contact dermatitis such as erythema, edema, and scabs were significantly decreased in Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract-treated mice. These results indicated that Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract have an antiinflammatory effect, and that this might be used as a supplement for the functional materials.