engleski

Antioxidant capacity of fruit species characteristic for gardens in Istria (Croatia)

The present study was funded by the Istria Tourist Board, and performed in order to provide an overview of the antioxidant capacity of various typical foods and food products in Istria as well as to compare the obtained values with the available databases. A special emphasis throughout the screening process has been put on here presented ˝old, forgotten˝ fruit species, common in public and private gardens in Istrian region, such as black elder (Sambucus nigra L.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.), jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), autochthonous cultivars of fig (Ficus carica L.), etc. Among the 42 investigated samples of 14 different fruit species/cultivars extracted in water/methanol, blackberry, strawberry tree and black elder fruits proved to have the highest antioxidant capacity (6.33±0.07 ; 5.04±0.07 ; 4.46±0.1 mmol FeSO4 +/100 g FW, respectively) according to a modified FRAP assay. The comparison of obtained values with the results in available databases was possible only in a few cases of matching species, but in most cases our results were within the range specified for corresponding sample types. The scientific findings of this study will not only help in the gourmet promotion of the Istrian region, but will assist in the revitalisation of neglected fruit species and old cultivars, that are potentially suitable for organic farming purposes and as such represent a valuable element of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

autochthonous cultivars ; antioxidants ; gardens ; FRAP ; neglected fruits

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