Phenolic compound profile characterization by Q-TOF LC/MS in 12 Italian ancient sweet cherry cultivars

Abstract

Twelve Italian ancient autochthonous sweet cherry cultivars were characterized for fruit quality parameters, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (SSC) and pH, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) content and antioxidant activity (AA). TPC, TMA and AA were evaluated by spectrophotometric and Q-TOF LC/MS analysis was performed to identify and quantify single phenolic compounds. SSC, TA, TPC, TMA and AA significantly differ depending on cultivar. Cv. Durona della Marca showed the highest SSC and TA, while pH was less variable among cultivars. The highest TPC (2680.2 mg gallic acid equivalents kg−1 fresh weight, FW), TMA (887.6 mg cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents kg−1 FW) and AA (1.11 μg trolox equivalents mg−1 FW) was found in cv. Nera di Bussolengo. Q-TOF LC/MS analysis allowed to identify and quantify 12 compounds of different classes. The major compounds detected in all the cultivars were neochlorogenic and p-coumaroylquinic acids, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside. TPC and TMA have an important role in determining AA. The highlighted differences are ascribable to the genetic traits, because cultivars were grown in the same agronomical, geographical and climatic conditions. This study represents a contribution toward the re-valuation of these ancient cultivars for consumption and breeding programs.