Abstract
To better understand the effect of growing location on the phytochemical compounds and sensory properties of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), here we investigated rabbiteye blueberry ‘Brightwell’ (Vaccinium ashei cv. ‘Brightwell’) grown in 10 locations of China. Significant differences in terms of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, flavonoids, phenols, as well as proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins, were found in the fruits (berries) of blueberry plants among the different sampled locations. Furthermore, their sensory properties, which evaluated by the electronic tongue method, also significantly differed among the 10 locations. The content of flavonoids, phenols, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins all had significant correlations with sensory properties, except that of aftertaste-astringency. A key finding to emerge was that blueberry plants grown at high altitude locations harbored a high content of total soluble solids, flavonoids, phenols, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins along with high scores for the sweetness. These results suggested cultivating blueberry at high altitude can produce fruit that not only possess pronounced beneficial health effects but also good taste.
Highlights
The cultivation of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) in China has garnered dramatically rising interest over the last 15 years, with its production area having reached 22,000 hm2, or 16.3% that of world’s total (Li et al, 2016; Brazelton et al, 2017)
These results show that where blueberry is grown has a significant impact on its fruit berries’ total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA), which is in line with other results (Correia et al, 2016)
Blueberry grown in Caota and Baima towns had the lowest Total flavonoid content (TF), Total phenolic content (TP), Proanthocyanidin content (PAC), and ACs content, whereas that grown in Shigu, Yinqiao, Yousuo, and Longpeng towns had the highest TF content, while Yinqiao and Longpeng towns had the
Summary
The cultivation of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) in China has garnered dramatically rising interest over the last 15 years, with its production area having reached 22,000 hm, or 16.3% that of world’s total (Li et al, 2016; Brazelton et al, 2017). Blueberry is a richer source of antioxidant compounds (flavonoid, polyphenolic compounds, and especially anthocyanins) when compared to other berries, such as strawberry or raspberry (Cardeñosa et al, 2016). Blueberry cultivars high in antioxidant compounds could command a price premium when marketing them to consumers The sensory quality of the harvested berries is another important aspect influencing the behavior of their would-be consumers. Consumer preference studies have suggested that key sensory properties, such as sweetness, freshness, and juiciness, were another main psychological drive for purchasing blueberries (Saftner et al, 2008; Gilbert et al, 2014; Yue and Wang, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
