Influence of genotype, location and year factors on quality and health promoting compounds of Rubus fruits

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 926; pp. 697 - 704
• Main Authors: Granelli, G, Mariani, L, Parisi, S, Eccher, T, Ughini, V, Lo Scalzo, R, Buccheri, M, Cortellino, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 2012
• Subjects: blackberries; cultivars; free radicals; fruit composition; fruit quality; fruits; genotype; health promotion; Rubus idaeus; Rubus plicatus; seasonal variation; soluble solids; titratable acidity
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.926.101

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruits composition is characterised by a high content of nutraceuticals, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds able to have a protective action against the excessive production of free radicals. This work aims at contributing to the knowledge of the factors influencing Rubus fruit quality, by means of the comparative analysis of different cultivars of blackberry and raspberry picked during the period 2007-2009 in two different locations of Lombardy (Italy). With this aim some general quality features (fruit weight, soluble solids and titratable acidity), and nutraceutical characteristics of fruits (total polyphenol, anthocyanin content and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrilidrazyl - DPPH - assay) were assessed. Significant differences were found among the cultivars, the seasonal changes and the locations. The possible causes involved in these quality changes are discussed.