Characterization of Phenolic Profiles of Northern European Berries by Capillary Electrophoresis and Determination of their Antioxidant Activity

Sille Ehala,* Merike Vaher, and Mihkel Kaljurand
Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2005, 53 (16), pp 6484–6490
DOI: 10.1021/jf050397w
Publication Date (Web): July 7, 2005
Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society
*

 Corresponding author. Telephone:  +372 620 4359; fax:  +372 620 2828; e-mail:  sille@brosven.ee.

Abstract

Berries are known to contain phenolic substances (i.e., flavonoids and phenolic acids), which comprise two large and heterogeneous groups of biologically active nonnutrients. This investigation evaluated the content and profile of the phenolic compounds present in six different berries found in Northern Europe. The latter included bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), black currant (Ribes nigrum), and red currant (Ribes rubrum). The study was focused on two areas. The first involved the extraction and analysis of berries for total phenolic content and determination of their antioxidant activity. The total phenolic level of berries was correlated with their antioxidant activity. Second, the berry extracts were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis to determine the content and profile of selected bioactive compounds. The analytes of interest included trans-resveratrol, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and morin.

Keywords: Berries; polyphenols; capillary electrophoresis; antioxidant activity

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History

  • Published In Issue August 10, 2005
  • Received for review February 21, 2005. Revised manuscript received May 3, 2005. Accepted May 6, 2005. The support of the Estonian Science Foundation (Grants 5090 and 5145) is acknowledged.

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