Preliminary comparative phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of varieties Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae) shoot’ extracts

Abstract

Nowadays, the created varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae) are widespread in different regions of all continents with a suitable climate. Until now, mainly the fruits of these plants have been used, and the vegetative aerial part that remains when pruning the bushes has not been employed. Meanwhile, shoots of other species of Ericaceae have long been used as raw materials for the needs of pharmacy, medicine and veterinary medicine. Phytochemical screening methods were used for the detection of various phytochemicals in shoots of three varieties V. corymbosum introduced in Ukraine by qualitative chemical tests to give a general idea regarding the nature of constituents present in plant material, especially with antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the content of extractives was determined in the obtained extracts and their antioxidant activity by determining the total antioxidant capacity using the DPPH radical scavenging method on various stages of plant development. Phytochemical screening on the shoots of three V. corymbosum varieties (Bluejay, Bluecrop, Elliott) showed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins, hydroquinone and arbutin that exhibit antioxidant properties; the extractive value depends on the solvent and stage of plant development. Bluejay in aqueous extracts had the greatest amount of extractives during flowering and at the beginning of the winter period; in Bluecrop it was during fruiting and at the beginning of the winter period; and in Elliott — at the beginning of the winter period. Thus, we can assume the prospects of their study on antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, as well as a feed additive for animal feed.

Content of Bioactive Compounds in Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum L. Leaves as a Potential Raw Material for Food Technology or Pharmaceutical Industry

“…The majority of the scientific papers available analysed extracts from Vaccinium corymbosum L. leaves in terms of bioactive compounds and their pro-health activity (e.g., antioxidative activity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic properties), and based on these results, gave recommendations for using leaf extracts from this species to supplement everyday diet, completely ignoring the content of a compound that can potentially be toxic, and products containing this compound should be used with care [11,27,48,60]. Hydroquinone content was confirmed in the study by Yavorska et al [58], although no specific concentration in the test extracts was given. A study conducted by de Arriba et al [61] assessed the potential toxicity of herbal preparations made from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium (bearberry leaf), which contain high levels of arbutin, and at the same time, a small concentration of free hydroquinone (<0.3%).…”

“…However, no effect of the growing season duration was observed on the content of this compound. Studies concerning the arbutin content in Vaccinium corymbosum L. are scarce [57,58]. The hydroquinone content in the analysed extracts was determined to be at a lower level, with the lowest found in the Bluegold, Darrow, Herbert, Liberty and Spartan varieties (an average of 0.26 mg/g), while the highest was noted for the Chandler variety (0.88 mg/g) (p < 0.05).…”