Lingonberry Germplasm Characterization for Berry Characters, Anthocyanin Content and Antioxidant Activity

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), an important fruit crop in many northern latitude countries, is a medicinal plant rich in anthocyanin antioxidants. Two subspecies of V. vitis-idaea are botanically recognized, the larger lowland race as V. vitis-idaea ssp. vitis-idaea (L.) Britton and the dwarf arctic-montane race as V. vitis-idaea ssp. minus (Lodd) Hult. Fruits from lingonberry germplasm of different hybrids, cultivars of V. vitis-idaea ssp. vitis-idaea and V. vitis-idaea ssp. minus wild clones, were evaluated for fruit characteristics, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. Wide genotypic variation for each of the characters was observed within and between sub-species Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus was superior to V. vitis-idaea ssp. vitis-idaea for anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. The hybrids were better than their parents for anthocyanin content but not for antioxidant activity. Anthocyanin content was not correlated with antioxidant activity. Unripe fruit had increased antioxidant activity but decreased anthocyanin content.