Phytochemical Composition of Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) Fruits Growing in Protected Areas of Lithuania

Abstract

The fruits of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. are an important source of bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies on the phytochemical analysis of cranberry fruit samples showed that the qualitative and quantitative composition of biologically active compounds varied in cranberry fruit samples collected from different types of wetland sites: the total anthocyanin content was 698 ± 24-8352 ± 200 µg/g, the total flavonol content-518 ± 16-2811 ± 31 µg/g, the total content of triterpene compounds-4060 ± 122-6542 ± 157 µg/g, the content of chlorogenic acid-17 ± 0.4 µg/g to 1224 ± 41 µg/g, and the total content of proanthocyanidins-919 ± 19 µg EE/g to 3038 ± 137 µg EE/g. The percentage composition of anthocyanins in cranberry fruit varied between the different wetland sites: in some cranberry fruit samples, four anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, and peonidin-3-arabinoside) were predominant, while in other samples, six anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3-galactoside, peonidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside) predominated. The results of these studies showed the differences in the composition of secondary metabolites in the studied cranberry samples and prove that the standardization of the qualitative and quantitative composition of cranberry fruit raw materials and the application of routine tests are necessary for the expansion of the use of botanical raw materials in the production of functional foods and phytopreparations.

Keywords: phenolic compounds; raw material; small cranberry; triterpenoids.

Figure 1

The content of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in cranberry fruit samples collected from different habitats. A description of the cranberry fruit harvesting areas is given in Table 1. The number “1” next to the site letter indicates the first sampling time at the end of August (Sample 1); the number “2” next to the site letter indicates the second sampling time in October (Sample 2). Different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between the total amounts of anthocyanins in the tested cranberry samples. Del3gal—delphinidin-3-galactoside, Cya3Gal—cyanidin-3-galactoside, Cya3Glu—cyanidin-3-glucoside, Cya3Ara—cyanidin-3-arabinoside, Peo3Gal—peonidin-3-galactoside, Peo3Glu—peonidin-3-glucoside, Mal3Gal—malvidin-3-galactoside, Peo3Ara—peonidin-3-arabinoside, Mal3Ara—malvidin-3-arabinoside, Cya—cyanidin, Peo—peonidin, Mal—malvidin.

Figure 2

The content of flavonols in cranberry fruit samples collected from different habitats. A description of the cranberry fruit harvesting areas is given in Table 1. The number “1” next to the site letter indicates the first sampling time at the end of August (Sample 1); the number “2” next to the site letter indicates the second sampling time in October (Sample 2). Different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between the total amounts of flavonols in the tested cranberry samples. Myr3Gal—myricetin-3-galactoside, Que3Gal—quercetin-3-galactoside, Que3Glu—quercetin-3-glucoside, Que3AraP—quercetin-3-arabinopyranoside, Que3AraF—quercetin-3-arabinofuranoside, Que3Rha—quercetin-3-rhamnoside, Myr—myricetin, Que—quercetin.

Figure 3

The content of triterpenic compounds in cranberry fruit samples collected from different habitats. A description of the cranberry fruit harvesting areas is given in Table 1. The number “1” next to the site letter indicates the first sampling time at the end of August (Sample 1); the number “2” next to the site letter indicates the second sampling time in October (Sample 2). Different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between the total amounts of triterpenic compounds in the tested cranberry samples. MasAc—maslinic acid, CorAc—corosolic acid, OleAc—oleanolic acid, UrsAc—ursolic acid, Bamyr—β-amyrin, Aamyr—α-amyrin.

Figure 4

The content of chlorogenic acid and proanthocyanidins in cranberry fruit samples collected from different habitats. A description of the cranberry fruit harvesting areas is given in Table 1. The number “1” next to the site letter indicates the first sampling time at the end of August (Sample 1); the number “2” next to the site letter indicates the second sampling time in October (Sample 2). Different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between the amounts of the determined compounds in the cranberry samples tested.

Figure 5

Heatmap of the amount (%) of individual constituents in cranberry fruits according to their growth site. The number “1” next to the site letter indicates the first sampling time at the end of August (Sample 1); the number “2” next to the site letter indicates the second sampling time in October (Sample 2).

Figure 6

Map of cranberry fruit harvesting sites. 1—Kamanai reserve; 2—Žuvintas reserve. A description of the cranberry fruit harvesting sites is given in Table 1.