Evaluating the Bioactive Profile of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Cultivars: Insights into Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Individual Phenolic

The main objective of the current study was to assess five different sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars grown under the ecological conditions of Ordu, Turkiye, in order to determine their total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine-hydrate, and FRAP, ferric ions [Fe+3] reducing antioxidant power), and individual phenolic compounds. The highest total phenolics, DPPH and FRAP values were recorded in the 'Kordia' cultivar, while the '0900 Ziraat' cultivar exhibited the lowest total phenolics and DPPH values. The total flavonoid content in 'Kordia' and 'Lambert' cultivars was similar but significantly higher than that of the 'Sweetheart' cultivar. Catechin was found to be the major phenolic acid. The 'Kordia' cultivar had the highest protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and epicatechin concentrations. However, the 'Lambert' cultivar has the highest concentrations of 4-aminobenzoic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. As an outcome, there were noticeable changes in the bioactive substances between the cultivars.