The aim of this study was to determine the content of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb and the total polyphenol (TP) content as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in wild cranberries and blueberries collected from different localities of the Slovakia and to compare them with properties of six cranberry and six highbush blueberry cultivars obtained from the research centre. Compared with cultivated cranberries (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb content: 0.642, 1.496, 0.015 and 0.050 mg/kg FM) in wild fruits, higher Cu (by 37%) and lower Zn, Cd and Pb (by 8%, 7% and 44% respectively) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry method. In wild blueberries, higher Cu, Zn and Pb (by 16%, 209% and 80% respectively) and similar Cd contents were determined compared with cultivated fruits (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb content: 0.483, 0.541, 0.003 and 0.055 mg/kg FM). The TP contents estimated by spectrophotometry using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent were in intervals 1405-3161 (cranberries) and 1300-3077 (blueberries) expressed as mg GAE/kg FM. While the average TP content determined in wild cranberries was by 31% lower than that in cultivated cranberries, in wild blueberries it was by 97% higher compared with highbush blueberry cultivars. The values of TAC determined by spectrophotometry method using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl were in range 20.67-22.22 (cranberries) and 14.03-24.79 (blueberries) expressed as mmol TE/kg FM. In wild cranberries and blueberries, the lower average TAC values compared with cultivated berries were determined (by 1% and 28%, respectively).
Small fruits as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants are rich in phytochemicals such as anthocyanins which are glycosidic-linked flavonoids responsible for their red, violet, purple and blue colours (Vollmannová et al., 2009). Anthocyanins are becoming increasingly important as antioxidants. During the last years anthocyanins were reported in helping to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and prevent several chronic diseases (Wei-Dong et al., 2007). In many works a positive correlation between the intake of fruits and vegetables and prevention of diseases like atheroscelerosis, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and also ageing is documented. Total anthocyanin concentrations in wild crop are higher than in cultivated blueberries (Vollmannová et al., 2009). Metals entering the soil are predominatly in the inaccessible forms, but with the various processes occuring in the soil become available and can be received by plants (Tomáš, 2000). High concentrations of heavy metals may affect the ecosystem and human health (Xue dong, 2012). Anthropogenic pollution caused by heavy metals entering the plant subsequently passed into the food chain (Tomáš, 2000). T he aim of this work was to found relationship between total mercury and cadmium contents and total anthocyanins contents in wild forest fruit berries.
Keywords: cultivars, blueberry, polyphenol, organic fertilizer, mineral fertilizer INTRO DUCTIO NT he fruits of blueberries have very positive effects on the human body. Characteristic of these fruits are their bioactive properties. T hey are an important source of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, especially anthocyanins and having high antioxidant activity. On the content of bioactive substances affect several factors, such as environmental conditions, degree of ripeness, variety, method of storage and processing. Polyphenols and phenol compounds represent one of the most numerous and most represented groups of plant metabolites and form part of the human diet . T hey are products of secondary metabolism of plants (Mandelová, 2005). Plant polyphenols are substances widespread in almost all plants, particularly in the leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, and in pathology departments, as well as in products of plant origin (honey, propolis, wine). One group of polyphenols includes a wide and diverse range of compounds -from simple phenolic acids to high polymerized tannins. More than 8.000 phenolic compounds are known, but only a few hundred are identified in the edible parts of plants (Timoracká et al., 2008).
The upper Orava region is located at the North Slovakia, near of potential sources of environmental contamination due by mining of coal, zinc and lead ores. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of consumption of wild forest fruit from Upper Orava region from the aspect of cadmium content. Ten sampling points were found by random search. From these points samples of soil, leaves and fruits of wild berries (9 samples of blueberries Vaccinium Myrtillus and 1 sample of strawberries Fragaria Vesca) were collected. In soil samples the active soil reaction (pH/H 2 O) ranged from 3.53 (strong acidity) to 4.56 (extremly strong acidity), and the determined percentage of humus ranged from 1.66 (low humic soil) to 4.90 (high humic soil). In two soil samples the total content of cadmium determinated in soil extracts by aqua regia exceeded limit 0.70 mg.kg -1 given by the legislation in tne Slovak Republic. In three soil samples the determined content of cadmium mobile forms determined in soil extracts by NH 4 NO 3 exceeded the limit 0.10 mg.kg -1 . The content of Cd determined in leaves as well as in fruits was evaluated according to Food Codex of the Slovak Republic. Only in one sample of leaf samples the limit 1.00 mg.kg -1 was exceeded. The other leaf samples are safely when used as an ingredient in tea mixtures. On the other hand even in 7 fruit samples the limit 0.05 mg.kg -1 was exceeded. This fruit can pose a risk for the human organism when is directly consumed as well as may negatively affect the human health when is used as raw materials in the food industry.
Phenolic compounds are the predominant antioxidants in nutrition and their study is currently being paid much attention. These antioxidants act synergistically; polyphenol compounds protect vitamin C and β-carotene, which in turn helps to increase the effect of vitamin E. Potatoes are very popular vegetables in Slovakia, not only in terms that they are easy to prepare, but also by the fact that they combine the wholesomeness of cereals and delicacy and characteristic chemical composition of vegetables. It is important that they find their place in our diet. Nutritional value of potatoes is determined by the content of nutrients such as protein, starch, fat, minerals, and absence of toxins, as well as by a significant content of bioactive components from the group of polyphenols. The study was performed in order to analyse 7 Slovak potato varieties from Spiš area, according to biologically active compounds: such as polyphenols. The content of total polyphenols was determined by the method of Lachman et al., (2003). The lowest determined content of total polyphenol (mg.kg-1 dry matter) in locality Spišský Štvrtok was measured in a variety Victoria (795.05 mg.kg-1 dry matter) and the highest content of total polyphenols in locality Spišský Štvrtok was measured in variety Laura (1238.42 mg.kg-1 dry matter). In the locality Odorín was determine the lowest content of total polyphenols in variety Red Anna (974.09 mg.kg-1 dry matter) and the highest content of total polyphenols was determined in variety Laura (978.95 mg.kg-1 dry matter). Between all varieties in locality Spišský Štvrtok was confirmed the statistically significant difference in the influence of the variety in the contents of total polyphenols (mg.kg-1 DM). This varietal dependence was not appear in samples taken in the locality Odorín. The total polyphenols content of the potatoes can be influenced by other factors, for example locality. In this case, there were statistically significant differences in the content of total polyphenols in variety Laura obtained from two different localities.
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