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Title: ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IS INFLUENCED BY TOTAL PHENOLIC AND ANTHOCYANIN CONTENT, MATURITY AND VARIETY OF VACCINIUM SPECIES

Author
item Prior, Ronald
item CAO, GUOHUA - UNIV OF CONNECTICUT
item Martin, Antonio
item SOFIC, EMIN - USDA-ARS-HNRCA
item O'BRIEN, CHRISTINE - USDA-ARS-HNRCA
item LISCHNER, NEAL - 1950-00-00
item Ehlenfeldt, Mark
item KALT, WILLY - ATLANTIC FOOD & HORTI.CTR
item KREWER, GERARD - HORTICULTURE DEPT.
item MAINLAND, C - HORT, CORPS RES. STATION

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Different cultivars of four species related to the blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) Commonly known as Highbush, Rabbiteye, and Lowbush blueberries and Bilberry from Germany were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity a measure of their ability to provide protection against free radical damage. Total antioxidant protection against free radical damage. Total antioxidant capacity of different berries studied ranged from a low of 13.9 to 44.6 umol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g fresh berry (63.2 - 282.3 to 44.6 umol TE/g dry matter) in different species and cultivars of blueberries. Increased maturity at harvest increased antioxidant capacity, and anthocyanin content of Brightwell' and  Tifblue' cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries. Growing location (Oregon vs Michigan vs New Jersey) did not affect antioxidant capacity or anthocyanin content of the Jersey' cultivar of highbush blueberries. A linear relationship existed between antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin content. Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidant phytonutrients of the fresh fruits and vegetables we have studied.

Technical Abstract: Different cultivars of four species [Vaccinium corymbosum L (Highbush); Vaccinium ashei Reade (Rabbiteye); Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush); and Vaccinium myrtillus L (Bilberry)] were analyzed for total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - ORAC). Total antioxidant capacity of different berries studied ranged from a low of 13.9 to 44.6 umol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g fresh berry (63.2 - 282.3 umol TE/g dry matter) in different species and cultivars of Vaccinium. Brightwell' and Tifblue' cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries were harvested at 2 times, 49 days apart. Increased maturity at harvest increased ORAC, anthocyanin and total phenolic content. Growing location (Oregon vs Michigan vs New Jersey) did not affect ORAC, anthocyanin or total phenolic content of the Jersey' cultivar of highbush blueberries. A linear relationship existed between ORAC and anthocyanin (r = 0.77)or total phenolic (r = 0.92) content. Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidant phytonutrients of the fresh fruits and vegetables we have studied.