Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Camarosa and Selva Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.).

Franco Van De Velde,Daniel Güemes,María E Pirovani,Anna M Tarola

doi:10.3390/foods2020120

Abstract

Strawberries represent an important source of bioactive compounds due to their vitamin C and phenolic compound levels, which present high antioxidant effects, beneficial for the maintenance of consumer’s health. Argentina is the second largest strawberry producer in The Common Market of the Southern Cone (MERCOSUR), covering the main export destinations of Argentinian strawberries, i.e., Canada, United States, and European Union. Information about the bioactive compound occurrence and antioxidant capacity of these fruits is scarce or not available. Health related compounds of strawberry cultivars (Camarosa and Selva) from different zones of Argentina were investigated. Vitamin C content was in the same range for both studied cultivars. However, Camarosa strawberries, which are the most cultivated, consumed, and exported berries in Argentina, presented higher total phenolic and anthocyanins content, and consequently better in vitro antioxidant capacity. Moreover, there were differences in the occurrence and concentration in the phenolic compound profiles for both cultivars. Camarosa cultivar presented higher content of anthocyanidins, and Selva showed higher total ellagic acid content. The research shows that Argentina’s strawberries are an interesting source of bioactive compounds comparable to those in other parts of the world.

Highlights

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a known non-climacteric fruit of frequent human consumption with an attractive color, flavor and aroma
The natural difference in the vitamin C content among strawberry cultivars was observed in previous works
Ascorbic acid is the main biologically active form of vitamin C, being reversible oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which exhibits biological capacity

Summary

Introduction

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a known non-climacteric fruit of frequent human consumption with an attractive color, flavor and aroma. Strawberry is a relevant source of bioactive compounds due to its high level of vitamin C and phenolics. These compounds present antioxidant effects, and a consequent beneficial effect on the maintenance of consumer health [1,2,3]. Most of strawberries grown in the central region are of the variety “Camarosa” (80%), originating from the University of California, USA. It is a variety with prominent climatological adaptation, exceptional quality and flavor and a good tolerance to diseases. “Selva” variety is cultivated in the southern regions of Argentina [6]

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