Influence of altitude on the physicochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of strawberry: a preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Several climatic trends are generally associated with altitude, that may influence the nutritional and phytochemical composition of plants. Strawberry is considered a functional food due to biological activities and health benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis intend to expose possible variations on physicochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of strawberries in regard to altitude. Thirty eligible studies were included for the final meta-analysis. Two altitude ranges were established: 0 – 1000 and 1000—2000 m above sea level. A random-effects model was used to obtain the results. It was discovered that total soluble solids significantly decreased with altitude. Total titratable acidity increased with altitude. Vitamin C and total anthocyanins showed a significant difference between the groups before we discarded some studies. The analysis of altitude for phenolics and antioxidant capacity evaluated for the DPPH radical scavenging method did not identify any significant differences between the studies. The findings suggest that altitude does not affect the physicochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of strawberries; nonetheless, a more exhaustive study is recommended. Graphical abstract

Influence of Altitudes and Development Stages on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

“…However, a similar pattern was evidenced in terms of the composition of polyphenolic compounds but not in concentration, since it was higher at higher altitudes [ 54 ]. Meanwhile, a study into strawberries reported that altitude significantly affected the concentration of single classes of phenolic compounds [ 24 , 40 ]. Particularly, the concentrations of caffeic acid derivatives increased with the rising altitude [ 45 , 46 ] as a response to higher sunlight spectra, visible light, and UV radiation [ 37 ].…”

“…The metabolic synthesis of flavonoids is well described for some species; however, the synthesis and concentration of anthocyanins in V. floribundum Kunth in terms of the ripening process are still unknown [ 14 ]. On the other hand, it has been shown that climatic trends, such as total atmospheric pressure, increasing radiation under cloudless skies, and reduction of atmospheric temperature, are associated with altitude, and the combined action of these variables could play a role in determining the final phenolic profile of fruits [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Bioactive Compounds, Functional Ingredients, Antioxidants, and Health Benefits of Edible Plants

“…This internal variation is also reflected to some extent in the plant heights and population densities that are directly visible from the outside, indicating a high degree of ecological plasticity. Many climate trends are commonly associated with altitude (Guevara-Terań et al, 2022), which is also an easily identified geographical factor (Sun et al, 2021). A review on the adaptation of medicinal plants to various environmental stresses in the Himalayas provides relatively comprehensive information, in which only one reference is made to the physiological differentiation caused by adaptation to solely different altitudes (Pandey et al, 2019).…”

The Effect of Altitude on Phenolic, Antioxidant and Fatty Acid Compositions of Some Turkish Hazelnut (Coryllus avellana L.) Cultivars

“…The quality and chemical composition of hazelnuts’ fruits are influenced by various factors including climate conditions, variety, location, agricultural practices, and microbial infection [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Recent studies have specifically examined the effects of high altitudes on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of fruits [ 20 , 21 ]. High-altitude environments, characterized by increased UV radiation and lower temperatures, have been found to stimulate the production of phenolic compounds and antioxidants in certain fruits [ 22 ].…”