Phytochemical Composition of Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) Fruits Growing in Protected Areas of Lithuania

Abstract

The fruits of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. are an important source of bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies on the phytochemical analysis of cranberry fruit samples showed that the qualitative and quantitative composition of biologically active compounds varied in cranberry fruit samples collected from different types of wetland sites: the total anthocyanin content was 698 ± 24–8352 ± 200 µg/g, the total flavonol content—518 ± 16–2811 ± 31 µg/g, the total content of triterpene compounds—4060 ± 122–6542 ± 157 µg/g, the content of chlorogenic acid—17 ± 0.4 µg/g to 1224 ± 41 µg/g, and the total content of proanthocyanidins—919 ± 19 µg EE/g to 3038 ± 137 µg EE/g. The percentage composition of anthocyanins in cranberry fruit varied between the different wetland sites: in some cranberry fruit samples, four anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, and peonidin-3-arabinoside) were predominant, while in other samples, six anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, peonidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside) predominated. The results of these studies showed the differences in the composition of secondary metabolites in the studied cranberry samples and prove that the standardization of the qualitative and quantitative composition of cranberry fruit raw materials and the application of routine tests are necessary for the expansion of the use of botanical raw materials in the production of functional foods and phytopreparations.

Effects of Anthocyanins on Components of Metabolic Syndrome—A Review

“…They are usually responsible for the red, blue and purple colour of fruits and vegetables [ 45 , 46 ]. Fresh raspberry (2199.0 mg/100 g) [ 47 ], cranberry (835.2 mg/100 g) [ 48 ] and chokeberry (686.0 mg/100 g) [ 49 ] have the highest total anthocyanin contents. Other studies have indicated the following contents in whole fruit: a maximum of 22.1 mg/100 g in fresh red currants [ 50 ]; approximately 465.4 mg anthocyanins/100 g (as cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents) in blackberries [ 51 ]; 204.3 mg anthocyanins/100 g in strawberries [ 52 ]; 287.8 mg/100 g in blackcurrants [ 50 ]; 344.9 mg/100 g in cherries [ 53 ]; and 534.2 mg/100 g in blueberries [ 54 ].…”

Peculiarities of the Variation of Biologically Active Compounds in Fruit of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. Growing in the Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve

“…The analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of anthocyanins in bog cranberries growing in the territories of the Žuvintas and Kamanai State Strict Nature Reserves in Lithuania showed that the percentage of anthocyanins in cranberry fruit samples varied depending on the location of the plant. Four anthocyanins were predominant in cranberry fruit samples harvested from different wetland habitats (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, peonidin-3-Ogalactoside, and peonidin-3-O-arabinoside), while six anthocyanins predominated in others (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, peonidin-3-O-galactoside, peonidin-3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside) [15].…”

“…We found that the total anthocyanin content varied among the fruit samples harvested: 710.3 ± 40 µg/g to 6054.5 ± 200 µg/g in the 2020 growing season, 779.0 ± 12 µg/g to 6993.8 ± 119 µg/g in 2021, and 974.8 ± 23 µg/g to 6840.9 ± 185 µg/g in 2022 (Figure 2). The anthocyanin content of cranberry fruit samples harvested in 2021 in the Kamanai and Žuvintas State Strict Nature Reserves varied over a wider range, from 698 ± 24 µg/g to 8352 ± 200 µg/g [15].…”

“…We found that the total proanthocyanidin content of the cranberry fruit samples varied: in samples harvested in 2020, it ranged from 378.4 ± 10 µg EE/g to 2803 ± 75 µg EE/g; in samples harvested in 2021, it ranged from 628.3 ± 17 µg EE/g to 3167.7 ± 82 µg EE/g; and in samples harvested in 2022, it ranged from 1096.7 ± 29 µg EE/g to 3557.3 ± 75 µg EE/g (Figure 3). Šedbar ė et al found that the total amount of proanthocyanidins in cranberry fruit samples harvested from the habitats of the Kamanai and Žuvintas State Strict Nature Reserves varied in a similar range-from 919 ± 19 µg EE/g to 3038 ± 137 µg EE/g [15].…”

Comparative In Vitro Study: Assessing Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Properties of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and Vaccinium oxycoccos L. Fruit Extracts

“…The phytochemical composition of small and large cranberry fruits is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, and the composition of their extracts is determined by the extraction conditions and applied extraction methods [ 19 , 20 ]. It was found that the profiles of anthocyanins, flavonols, and triterpene compounds in small cranberry and large cranberry fruit samples were quite similar, but the quantitative composition of bioactive compounds in cranberry fruits varies [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Jungfer et al found that the concentration of A-trimeric proanthocyanidins in V. macrocarpon fruits was up to 15 times higher than in V. oxycoccos fruits [ 24 ].…”