Abstract
The strawberry tree fruit and leaf are a rich source of minerals, easily digestible sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and many bioactive compounds of significant functional value. Due to their favorable chemical composition, fruits have recently become increasingly popular in consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the physical-chemical composition, content of bioactive compounds, and also the antioxidant capacity of the fruit and leaves of wild strawberry tree populations among the Adriatic coast in Croatia, as well as to investigate the influence of location on the content of specific bioactive compounds. According to the obtained results, both fruit and leaves are pronouncedly high in vitamin C content, the average value for fruits amounted to 224.21 mg/100 g FW, while that for leaves amounted to 138.08 mg/100 g FW. Additionally, significantly high values of total polyphenolic compounds were recorded both in fruits (average value of 637.94 mg GAE/100 g FW) and especially in leaves (average value of 2157.01 mg GAE/100 g FW). Several pigments from different categories were determined in the fruit depending on fruit maturity, including: total anthocyanins, β-carotene and lycopene; while in leaves chlorophylls and carotenoids. Given the high content of different bioactive compounds high values of antioxidant capacity were determined (the average value for fruits was 2269.96 µmol TE/kg and for leaves, 2237.16 µmol TE/kg). Location strongly influenced the physical-chemical composition and also the content of specialized metabolites; populations collected from southern areas (central and south Dalmatia) of the Adriatic coast tended to have higher amounts of vitamin C, total phenols, total anthocyanins and β-carotene.
Highlights
Location strongly influenced the physical-chemical composition and the content of specialized metabolites; populations collected from southern areas of the Adriatic coast tended to have higher amounts of vitamin C, total phenols, total anthocyanins and β-carotene
The lowest dry matter content was determined for fruits from location one, while the highest was from location six
Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that both strawberry tree fruit and leaves are nutritionally important sources, since in analyzed plant material samples high contents of bioactive compounds, especially vitamin C and phenols, and different plant pigments: β-carotene, anthocyanins and lycopene in fruits and chlorophylls in leaves were identified
Summary
The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L., fam. Ericaceae) is a neglected fruit species in Croatia and its potential for cultivation and consumption has not been sufficiently utilized. The fruit and leaves of the strawberry tree are of significant functional importance and many studies have proven high contents of minerals, digestible sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and many other bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant activity in strawberry fruit and leaves [1,2]. Molecules 2020, 25, 5102 popular for consumption, primarily due to their favorable nutritional composition, and significant medicinal properties: antiseptic, diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory action, prevention of diabetes and others [3,4,5]. The use of leaves, as well as leaf products, has suggested a number of biological benefits including significant antioxidant activity [9], antibacterial and antifungal effects [10] and anti-inflammatory action of strawberry tree leaves [11]
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