A Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Physicochemical Properties of Blackberry and Kiwifruit

Abstract

Increased consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has been associated with reduction in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. The protective effects are significantly related to the various antioxidants contained in them. Blackberry and kiwifruit contain significant concentrations of several antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant profiles and physicochemical properties of Alabama grown blackberry and kiwifruit were determined. Results of physicochemical properties were related to the antioxidant capacities in fruit tissue. A high correlation was found between total phenolics content and Vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacities (VCEAC) determined by the ABTS radical scavenging assay in blackberries. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and ß-carotene content were highly correlated with VCEAC determined by the DPPH radical scavenging assay in kiwifruit. Cultivar differences in physicochemical properties and antioxidants were found among five cultivars of blackberries and five cultivars of kiwifruit. In general, the cultivars that were found to have the highest VCEAC and fruit quality indices in the present study are likely to be selected by consumers in the market place. Hence, they are the cultivars that offer the most potential for commercial production in Alabama.