TOTAL PHENOLICS OF FRESH AND FROZEN MINOR BERRIES AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

Abstract

The  aim  of  this  work is  revealing  the  minor  berries biological  abundance  (bilberries  and cowberry),  fruits which can be found a lot in Bucovina’s forests and are used at their real value. The biochemical characteristic studied in order to prove their strong antioxidant potential are the content of ascorbic acid, total polyphenol, antiradical activities,  brute protein, humidity and dry substance of fresh and frozen fruits of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Cranberries/lingonberry (Vaccinium
vitis-idaea).  The  content  of  total  phenolic  compounds  was  measured  in  methanol  fruits’  extracts  as well  as  their  radical  scavenging  activity.  Bilberries  were  highest in  total  phenolics  and  antioxidant activities, whereas cranberries contained the lowest quantity of phenolics, corresponding to 4.68 mg GAE/kg.It was studied the evolution of ascorbic acid during storage lengthy freeze fruit for 6 and 12 months at -25°C. In conclusion at the end of frozen  storage period, ascorbic acid content and total poliphenols  remained  significantly unchanged  compared  with  the  values  measured  just  after  the freezing process.