Physicochemical and antioxidant characterization of Andean blackberry with and without prickles cultivated in Risaralda, Colombia

Abstract

Approximately 55% of the Rubus glaucus Benth (Andean blackberry) produced in Colombia is sold fresh and 10% is used in agroindustry. There are two types of cultivars for this species: Andean blackberries with prickles and ones without prickles. The investigations carried out in the Department of Risaralda are focused on finding the best genetic materials; however, studies on the bioprospecting that can generate an added value to these fruits are lacking. Therefore, soil fertility analysis, physicochemical characterization, and evaluation of the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Andean blackberries with and without prickles were carried out. The parameters evaluated for soil analysis were pH, organic matter, minor elements, phosphorus, nitrogen, aluminum, and texture, and the parameters evaluated for physicochemical characterization were titratable acidity, ash, dietary fiber, fat, moisture, maturity index, protein, and soluble solids. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were evaluated with the Folin–Ciocalteu and DPPH methods, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the content of fat, proteins, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, acidity index, and ash between the materials with and without prickles. The ash content and soluble solids are highlighted: they presented differences by study municipality, The ash content and soluble solids are highlighted; in addition, a high content of phenolic compounds was observed in fruits from plants without prickles. The diagnosis of blackberry crops by the materials planted and place of cultivation in the Department of Risaralda showed that the materials without prickles are more widely distributed in the department due to their ease of handling. According to the results of the soil analysis, most Castilla blackberry crops in the Santa Rosa, Santuario, and Pereira municipalities are within the recommended parameters for blackberry production at the national level.

Vitamin C content, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of fruits of Rubus glaucus Benth. (mora de Castilla) with and without prickles grown in Risaralda, Colombia

“…MEDINA et al, 2018;RINCÓN BONILLA et al, 2015;SAMANIEGO et al, 2020). This parameter relates SS with TA and is used to determine both the organoleptic quality of fruit and its maturity; as fruit matures, SS increases, and TA decreases (AYALA et al, 2013;GUERRERO ÁLVAREZ et al, 2021;ICONTEC, 1997).…”

“…The genus Rubus, of the Rosaceae family, includes approximately 750 species that are cultivated around the world, from temperate wooded areas to tropical areas. They are fruits of great interest because their consumption generates various health benefits (GUERRERO ÁLVAREZ et al, 2021;MORENO-MEDINA et al, 2018). These species include raspberry and blackberry, some of which have been domesticated and have become crops of great commercial importance (MARULANDA et al, 2012;MORENO-MEDINA et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition to its nutritional value, blackberry is rich in minerals, vitamins, fiber, and fatty acids and is an important source of bioactive compounds. Some studies have reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antineurodegenerative and anticancer properties related to the consumption of these fruits and their high content of phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, ellagitannins, lignans and flavonoids (anthocyanins, catechins, quercetin, flavonols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids, among others) (GUERRERO ÁLVAREZ et al, 2021;MONROY CÁRDENAS et al, 2019;MORENO-MEDINA et al, 2018;SAMANIEGO et al, 2020).…”

“…Blackberry has, among others, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties because of its high content of phenolic compounds (MONROY CÁRDENAS et al, 2019;QUINTERO-CASTAÑO et al, 2021). Due to the aforementioned attributes, the fruit is in great demand both for domestic consumption and in international markets (MONROY CÁRDENAS et al, 2019;MORENO-MEDINA et al, 2018) because blackberry can be used for the production of various products, such as juices, jams, pulp, wine, ice cream and yogurt; furthermore, it can also be marketed for fresh or frozen consumption (GUERRERO ÁLVAREZ et al, 2021;MONROY CÁRDENAS et al, 2019).…”

“…In Colombia, 2 types of "mora de Castilla" are cultivated, i.e., with prickles and without prickles. The latter is widely cultivated in the country because it generates advantages for agronomic management and is a fruit with interesting phenotypic characteristics (GUERRERO ÁLVAREZ et al, 2021;MARULANDA et al, 2012;ZARANTES et al, 2021). The cultivation of "mora de Castilla" without prickles has lower production costs and similar productivity compared to the cultivation of blackberry with prickles (MARULANDA et al, 2012).…”