Comparison of antioxidant capacity and phytochemical properties of wild and cultivated red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)

We investigated some of the chemical properties and antioxidant capacities of 14 wild red raspberry accessions selected from northern Turkey. In addition, the cultivars Heritage and Tulameen were included in the study to determine the variation between wild and cultivated raspberries. Total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), soluble solids (TSS), individual organic acids and sugars in the fruit were examined. Antioxidant capacity of fruits was determined by both ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The fruit color and weight were determined as well. The result of this study indicated that some of the wild accessions of red raspberries have higher antioxidant capacity and phytonutrient content than existing domesticated cultivars. Moreover, significant variability was found for antioxidant capacity, TP, TMA, organic acids and sugars of wild raspberries. Principle component analysis showed that the accessions were divided into three groups: A2, A9, A12, A14 formed the first group with high phytonutrient properties; the cultivars Heritage and Tulameen grouped together with high phytonutrients but low color values; and the rest of the accessions formed the final group. The antioxidant capacity among samples averaged 14.6 and 14.1 μmol TE/gfw using FRAP and TEAC methods, respectively.