Mineral element content and antioxidant capacity of some Latvian berries

Abstract

Berries are widely used in prevention and in adjuvant therapy of different diseases nowadays because of their valuable bioactive agents and antioxidant, antitumor, antiinflammatory properties, nevertheless frequently without medical control. The aim of our study was to determine the element content and antioxidant activities in some Latvian berries (blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus L. and red berry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.). Element content was measured by ICP-OES. Total antioxidant activity was determined by chemiluminometry and hydrogen-donating ability was measured by spectrophotometry. The examined berries contain elements in relatively low concentrations and the consumption of these kind of berries is also poor, although they could be good source for some essential elements: blueberry for Mo, bilberry for Li, Mn, Mo and red berry for Cr, Li, Mn, Mo. On the other hand, they have good antioxidant properties, especially bilberry. Beneficial antioxidant capacities and moderate metal ion concentrations support that berries can complete the diverse diet, and they may be a good supplement in some metal-accumulating disorders.