Rich in Phenolics—Strong Antioxidant Fruit? Comparative Study of 25 Strawberry Cultivars

Abstract

Phenolic compounds of 25 newly introduced strawberry cultivars were profiled using spectrophotometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total phenolic and anthocyanin content (TPC and TACY, respectively), as well as vitamin C, and concentrations of individual phenolic compounds in fruits were evaluated to identify the most promising cultivars according to their phenolic profile. The highest values of TPC, TACY, and vitamin C were recorded in ‘Premy’ (1.53 mg eq GA g−1 FW), ‘Sandra’ (30.60 mg eq Pg-3-g 100 g−1 FW), and ‘Laetitia’ (56.32 mg 100 g−1 FW), respectively. The DPPH and •OH radicals scavenging activity of fruit methanolic extracts was estimated using EPR spectroscopy. All cultivars are almost uniformly effective in the scavenging of •OH radical, while ‘Tea’, ‘Premy’, and ‘Joly’ were marked as highly potent cultivars (over 70%) in terms of DPPH-antiradical activity. Specific peroxidase activities were the highest in ‘Garda’, ‘Federica’, and ‘Rumba’ (0.11, 0.08, and 0.06 U mg-1 prot, respectively). ‘Laetitia’, ‘Joly’, ‘Arianna’, ‘Tea’, and ‘Mila’ cultivars were distinguished from others as the richest concerning almost all flavonoids and phenolic acids, including some other parameters of bioactivity. These cultivars could be recommended to consumers as functional fruit foods.

Sugars and Organic Acids in 25 Strawberry Cultivars: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation

“…In addition, we can derive from these plots that most of the compounds are assigned to oxygen-containing heteroatomic classes O 1 –O 16 . Most likely, these compounds are organic acids, esters, sugars, and phenolic compounds, which are typical compounds contained in strawberries [ 2 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 43 , 44 ]. Sulfur-containing esters or acids are furthermore imaginable for heteroatomic classes S 1 O 5 and S 1 O 6 .…”

“…Aromatic molecules are also assumable, according to the n C - DBE plots of compound classes O 6 –O 16 ( DBE ≥ 4). These molecules are, most likely, flavonoids or anthocyanins, which are part of the polyphenolic compounds that are typically found in strawberries [ 2 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 43 , 45 ].…”

Relation between Strawberry Fruit Redness and Bioactivity: Deciphering the Role of Anthocyanins as Health Promoting Compounds

“…Fortuna, in agreement with [ 30 ]. Furthermore, it is surprising that neither quercetin nor kaempferol, which are among the most abundant flavonols in red strawberry fruits [ 52 ], were quantified.…”

A histone deacetylase, FaSRT1‐2, plays multiple roles in regulating fruit ripening, plant growth and stresses resistance of cultivated strawberry

“…Meanwhile, the expression of grape VvSRT2 showed a conspicuous upward trend during fruit ripening and senescence, indicating the potential involvement of SRT in these processes (Cucurachi et al, 2012). Glucose, fructose and sucrose were identified as the predominant sugars, while citric acid was identified as the major organic acid present in strawberry fruit (Milosavljević et al, 2023). These sugar components, along with organic acids and anthocyanins, serve as crucial indicators for the degree of strawberry ripeness (Koyuncu & DİLmaÇÜNal, 2010), thereby contributing to our understanding of fruit maturation.…”

“…Glucose, fructose and sucrose were identified as the predominant sugars, while citric acid was identified as the major organic acid present in strawberry fruit (Milosavljević et al, 2023). These sugar components, along with organic acids and anthocyanins, serve as crucial indicators for the degree of strawberry ripeness (Koyuncu & DİLmaÇÜNal, 2010), thereby contributing to our understanding of fruit maturation.…”