Effect of Cultural Management and Plant Age on the Yield, °Brix, and Antioxidant Content of Aronia mitschurinii Grown in Maryland

Abstract

Aronia mitschurinii is a fruiting plant that has the potential of becoming the next-generation superfood. The fruit contains high concentrations of flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, which are known to be powerful antioxidants. The fruit is regarded for its potential to treat oxidative stress diseases like cancer. Recent studies have proven that this fruit contains significantly more antioxidants than the acai berry and even 40 times more than tomatoes. Here, we report results for developing and optimizing the horticultural management program for growing aronia on Maryland small farms to produce the crop with the highest possible antioxidant capacity, based on observations since 2009. This was achieved by analyzing how plant age, fertilizers, mineral soil amendments, and other factors like disease and pest pressure affect the antioxidant content. This data can help in improving sustainability of local farm businesses by providing them with new alternative and highly profitable crops to grow and process. Analysis and comparison of the fruit yield, soluble sugar content (°Brix), pH, total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, and total flavonoids of aronia based on two treatment levels of nitrogen fertilizer (3 g N plant −1 year −1 vs 14 g plant −1 year −1 ) and conventional and organic-based nitrogen are presented. Plants were fertilized with either 127 g (rows A and C) or 27 g (rows B and D) of Bartlett's Boost Natural at the base of each plant. This equated to 14 and 3 g of N, respectively. Average yields of plants given 14 g of organic N were only significantly higher than those given only 3 g of conventional N but not organic N. The yield in all plants increased year by year from 2009 and until 2019 and slightly decreased in 2020. Even though an increase in the anthocyanin content was noted for a lower N rate, the higher N rate would have produced more fruit and hence more anthocyanin per hectare. A higher nitrogen (N) rate positively affected the yield, but not always the phytochemical content. Organic N did not have a positive effect on the phytochemical content. Additionally, we report the cyanide content of aronia fruit in comparison to other fruits.

Phytochemical analysis of Aronia melanocarpa and ×Sorbaronia fallax fruit

“…This is consistent with our data, which indicates a flavonoid content of 970 mg/100 g in ripe 'Viking' fruit. It is well known that polyphenolic compounds are the main substances, responsible for the antioxidant activity of plant materials, and there is a good correlation between their content and antioxidant properties of plant foods (Denev et al, 2012;Green et al, 2023). In our study, anthocyanins have a moderate correlation with total polyphenols 0.51, and a very strong correlation with both flavonoid and chalcone content, 0.81 and 0.87, respectively.…”

“…If half a century ago it was grown on the territory of the Soviet Union, where it originated, now commercial plantations are also widespread in Northern Europe (Jeppsson, 1999(Jeppsson, , 2000Jeppsson & Johansson, 2000), Central Europe (Oszmiański & Wojdylo, 2005;Jurikova et al, 2017;Trenka et al, 2020), Southeast Europe (Ochmian et al, 2012;Tasinov et al, 2022), andEastern Europe (Mezhenskyj, 2019;Mezhenskyj & Mezhenska, 2023), Asia Minor (Poyraz Engin & Mert) and East Asia (Tanaka & Tanaka, 2001;Hwang et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2019). The new fruit crop has become interesting in North America, where the natural range of its wild parents is located (Brand et al, 2019(Brand et al, , 2022Green et al, 2023).…”

“…Chokeberry plants are very hardy and relatively simple to grow. It is grown for larger edible fruits and ornamental value (Green et al, 2023;Mezhenskyj & Mezhenska, 2023). Chokeberry is suitable for both organic and conventional cultivations (Trenka et al, 2020).…”

Сок Черноплодной Рябины: 10 Веских Причин Добавить В Свой Рацион

“…Исследования показывают, что плоды черноплодной рябины содержат в 40 раз больше антиоксидантов, чем томаты, знаменитые своими мощными противоонкологическими свойствами, или даже ягоды асаи. [12] В частности, ученые пришли к выводу, что порция в 50 мл свежеотжатого сока черноплодной рябины уже через 24 часа после употребления снижает скорость роста клеток опухоли кишечника на более чем 50%! самочувствие пациентов.…”

Sustainable Recovery of Anthocyanins and Other Polyphenols from Red Cabbage Byproducts

“…The health benefits of anthocyanins include, besides antioxidant effects, the following activities: prebiotic [15], cancer prevention [16], eye health promotion [17], anti-hypertensive [18], anti-diabetic [19], and control of obesity [20] and of metabolic syndrome [21]. Owing to their health benefits, the anthocyanin pigment content can be a helpful criterion in quality control and the purchase specifications of fruit juices, nutraceuticals, and natural colorants [22].…”