Comparison of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacities of Some Standard and Organically Grown Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Abstract

Blueberries are considered one of the important fruits for health benefits due to their antioxidant capacity and rich natural compounds. In this study, northern highbush blueberry cultivars 'Brigitta', 'Patriot', 'Bluecrop', 'Darrow' and 'Bluejay' (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) grown in standard and organic conditions in Black Sea Region were compared. Berry weight (g), TSS (%), organic acids (tartaric, ascorbic and citric acid), sugars (fructose and glucose), total phenolic compounds (mu g GAE gfw(-1)), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) (mu g cy-3-glu gfw(-1)) and total antioxidant activity (FRAP and TEAC) were determined. Berries were harvested when 75% of the skin color changed into blue color (June 15, 2010). Quantities of ascorbic acid, glucose, total phenolics and TMA changed between 0.015-0.027 g kg(-1), 3.79-4.75 g 100g(-1), 1593.3-2362.4 mu g GAE gfw(-1), 57.7-267.2 mu mol TE gta(-1) respectively. Total antioxidant activity changed between 3.80-6.51 FRAP mu mol TE g fw(-1) and 2.32-5.29 TEAC mu mol TE g fw(-1). While blueberries grown in standard system exhibited higher tartaric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, TEAC and berry weight, blueberries grown organically showed higher total phenolics, TMA, FRAP and malic acid.