Composition of biologically active substances of Vaccinium berries growing in the northwestern region of Russia

Abstract

Using gas chromatography with preliminary derivatization of samples, the composition of the biologically active substances of wild-growing cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis idaea L.) was studied. Biologically active substances contain phenolic compounds, tocopherols and phytosterols. Flavonoids prevail in the composition of phenolic compounds, the amount of which increases in berry press residues. Cranberries and lingonberries differ in the quantitative and qualitative composition of flavonoids and phenolic acids. In fresh cranberry berries, taxifolin and morin predominate among flavonoids; catechin and taxifolin predominate in lingonberries. In berry press residues, the number of flavonoids increases due to taxifolin and qercetin B, and in lingonberries, additionally due to catechin. Chlorogenic acid predominates in the composition of phenolic acids of fresh cranberries; 4-Oxybenzoic acid predominates in fresh lingonberries. Tocopherols quantitatively prevail in whole lingonberries, and phytosterols predominate in cranberries. In the berry press residues, their number increases.