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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194938
Title: FIBER CONTENT OF TWO RABBITEYE AND TWO SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS

Author
item Shaw, Donna
item Spiers, James
item SILVA, JUAN - MS STATE UNIV
item CURRY, KENNETH - UNIV OF SOUTHERN MS

Submitted to: Blueberry Research Extension North American Workers Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2006
Publication Date: 6/4/2006
Citation: Marshall, D.A., Spiers, J.M., Silva, J., Curry, K. 2006. Fiber content of two rabbiteye and two southern highbush blueberry cultivars. Blueberry Research Extension North American Workers Conference Proceedings p. 176-179.

Interpretive Summary: The interest in functional foods and health benefits is ever increasing. Nutritional aspects of foods are becoming more and more important as consumers become increasingly aware of the effect of foods on their bodies. The advantages of high fiber diets have been well documented. Rabbiteye blueberries contained a higher concentration of NDF than did southern highbush blueberries. This research provides information to better inform the general public about health benefits blueberries and help guide better fruit choice decisions.

Technical Abstract: A two-year study was conducted on the cell wall structural component content of two rabbiteye (‘Tifblue’ and ‘Premier’) and two southern highbush (‘Pearl River’ and ‘Magnolia’) blueberry cultivars. Rabbiteye blueberries were found to have a significantly higher concentration of neutral detergent fiber than southern highbush. Neutral detergent fiber comprises cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, three of the major components of cell walls, and it is the method of choice for analysis of dietary fiber in cereal.