Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) seeds: An exceptional source of tocotrienols

Abstract

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) are rich in beneficial phytochemicals and are valuable ingredients in the formulation of functional foods and pharmaceutical products, contributing to improved human health and well-being. Nevertheless, cranberry seed chemical composition is still scarcely investigated. Therefore, in the current study, tocochromanol (tocopherol (T) and tocotrienol (T3)) profile variance with respect to genotypes and harvest seasons were investigated. Tocochromanols were extracted by using a standard saponification protocol, as well as an environmentally friendlier and more rapid alternative extraction method, in the seeds of eight cranberry cultivars from two harvest seasons. γ-T3 constituted 87 % of the tocochromanols found in cranberry seeds, while the remaining 13 % were as follows: α-T3 (7 %), δ-T3 (3 %), and γ-T (3 %). Year, cultivar, and their interaction have a significant impact on the content of tocochromanols in cranberry seeds. Tocochromanol concentration varies significantly between cultivars, but is relatively stable over different harvest seasons. Concentration did not significantly differ between the standard saponification protocol and the rapid, environmentally friendlier method. Thereby, the present study shows that the simple and environmentally conscious/friendlier approach is feasible for the extraction of tocochromanols from cranberry seeds with comparable recovery, repeatability and reproducibility, to the saponification protocol.