Abstract
The phytochemical characteristic analysis of a group of 30 haskap berry genotypes was carried out bearing in mind the concern for the consumption of food with high nutraceutical value that helps maintain good health. Phytochemical fruit composition and antioxidant activity were assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteau, spectrophotometric, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) as well as ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was referred to as the Trolox equivalent. The observed differences in the content of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity allowed us to select genotypes which, due to the high level of the analyzed compounds, are particularly recommended in everyone’s diet. In addition, the analysis of the prospects of increasing the analyzed phytochemical properties, estimated by parameters such as heritability and genetic progress, indicates the effectiveness of breeding in relation to each of the analyzed traits. The results of the presented research can be used in the implementation of future breeding programs for this valuable species.
Highlights
The constantly growing awareness of consumers regarding the need for healthy eating and consuming food with health-promoting properties leads to the search and characterization of new species with this direction of utilization
The results obtained in this study (Table 2) clearly indicate that the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was significantly different in the studied group of genotypes
Antioxidant activity determined by the ABTS method was characterized by greater variability when compared to the DPPH method
Summary
The constantly growing awareness of consumers regarding the need for healthy eating and consuming food with health-promoting properties leads to the search and characterization of new species with this direction of utilization. Species belonging to the genus Lonicera such as Lonicera caerulea var. Emphyllocalyx, as well as their hybrids, collectively known as Lonicera caerulea L., known as haskap, blue honeysuckle, honeyberry or sweet berry honeysuckle, are representative of such plants. The fruits of this species, like strawberry, blueberry, blackberry or blackcurrant, belong to the so-called superfruits—fruits, which due to the presence of bioactive compounds, are very desirable in the human diet [1,2]. Health-promoting properties of the haskap berries include protective effects against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes as well as antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activity [3].
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