Content of Iridoids in the Fruits of Cornus mas L. Cultivars

Abstract

The genetic fund of the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) cultivars at the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (NBG), National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine includes more than 100 genotypes collected from wild and cultivated plants in Ukraine, and cultivars of Bulgarian, Slovak, English, Austrian and Georgian selection. The genetic fund of the cornelian cherry of the NBG presents a rich variety of biological and economic properties. The fruits of C. mas are valued in the food industry and medicine mainly due to their high content of bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. C. mas fruits also have antioxidant activity. We have given the pomological characteristics of 21 studied cultivars of C. mas, and also determined the content of iridoids. Cultivars of C. mas with early, middle, and late fruit ripening periods were studied. To determine the content of iridoids, a spectrophotometric method was used, which consists of the interaction of an iridoid compound with hydroxylamine to form an oxime. The resulting oxime is capable of forming a coordination compound with ferric iron cations. As a result of the study, it was found that the content of iridoids in the fruits of C. mas has a significant difference in cultivars. Among the early ripening cultivars of C. mas, the most promising as a source of iridoids are Pervenets and Samofertylnyi, among the cultivars of C. mas with an average fruit ripening period is Yevgenia, and among the cultivars of C. mas with a late ripening period of fruits, the most promising cultivars are Sokoline and Yuvileinyi Klymenko. These most promising cultivars should be noted for use in the food and medical sectors of the national economy.