The analysis of the composition and antioxidant properties of freeze-dried chokeberry, strawberry, blackberry and selected raspberry fruits.

UNLABELLED

Anthocyanins are a group of organic compounds believed to show anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antioxidant, pro-apoptotic effects. For these reasons, anthocyanins may potentially be lied in the cancer chemoprevention as well as in providing a metabolic support during oncological treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the antioxidant activity and analyze the content of bioactive substances in selected freeze-dried fruit species in order to determine the optimal source of anthocyanins for subsequent clinical trials involving patients undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study employed freeze-dried fruits of chokeberry, blackberry, strawberry and raspberries: black, yellow and red. The total antioxidant activity was determined using the FRAP, the DPPH method and total polyphenol by UV-VIS spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

Chokeberry exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, as measured by the FRAP method, followed by black raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, yellow and red raspberry. The highest content of polyphenols was found in chokeberry and black raspberry, while the other fruits had relatively lower levels. Black raspberry fruits contained the highest concentration of anthocyanins. The highest concentration of vitamin C was detected in yellow raspberry fruits.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Based on biochemical analysis and considering organoleptic properties, particularly taste and the potential for good tolerance of the formulation by patients, freeze-dried fruits of black raspberry and strawberry were selected for clinical study on the use of anthocyanins in the nutritional and metabolic support of patients undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.