Evaluation of Polyphenolic Profile and Nutritional Value of Non-Traditional Fruit Species in the Czech Republic — A Comparative Study

Tunde Jurikova,Otakar Rop,Rene Kizek,Rene Kizek,Rene Kizek,Rene Kizek,Jiri Sochor,Štefan Balla,Ladislav Szekeres,Rastislav Žitný,Jiří Mlček,Vojtech Adam,Ondrej Zitka

doi:10.3390/molecules17088968

Abstract

Dry matter, organic acids, ascorbic acid, minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium) and polyphenolic profile of a number of non-traditional fruit species and their genotypes, namely blue honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), black mulberry (Morus nigra), Tomentosa cherry (Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) and jostaberry (Ribes nigrum x Grossularia uva-crispa) were investigated. The results showed that Lonicera genotypes displayed high levels of ascorbic acid and they were rich in minerals, with the cultivar ‘Amfora’ achieving the leading position in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content among all lesser known fruit species. Amelanchier cultivars represented a valuable source of ascorbic acid and calcium, ‘Tišňovský’ and ‘Smoky’ together with Morus nigra ‘Jugoslavska’ accumulated the highest level of examined polyphenolic compounds. Regular consumption of studied less common fruit species can bring health benefits so they can represent a high potential value for fruit growers and in addition they can be utilised as functional foods.

Highlights

Berries contain powerful antioxidants and a proper balance of bioactive compounds
The aim of this study was to determine the content of dry mater, ascorbic acid, organic acids and minerals
Amelanchier cultivars had the second position in ascorbic acid content and represented a valuable source of calcium; the cultivars ‘Tišnovský’ and ‘Smoky’

Summary

Introduction

Berries contain powerful antioxidants and a proper balance of bioactive compounds. They are considered to be a good source of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids and phenolic acids, which mostly contribute to their high antioxidant activity. Edible honeysuckles originated in Russia and they are especially rich in ascorbic acid and polyphenolic compounds [9,10] and they display a high antioxidant activity thanks to the prevailing content of neuroprotective plant phenols (rutin, quercitrin, gallic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid) [11,12,13] depending on the stage of ripeness [14]. The freeze-dried fruits of Lonicera caerulea and its phenolic fraction reduced the biofilm formation and adhesion to the artificial surface of Candida parapsilosis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans [15], and exhibit antifungal [16] and anticancer properties [17]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion