PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS, ORGANIC ACIDS, VITAMIN C AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN PRUNUS SPINOSA L.

The present study describes total antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, organic acids and vitamin C contents in fruits of 10 promising black-thorn (Prunus spinosa L.) genotypes grown in Uzundere district of Northeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. In the study, HPLC method was used to determine phenolic compounds, organic acids and vitamin C contents. The results showed that chlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in fruits of Prunus spinosa L. that varied from 1062 mg (UZ-5) to 1347 mg (UZ-9) per 100 g among genotypes indicating important differences. Among the organic acids determined, malic acid was the predominant, which varied between 1.012 g (UZ-5) and 1.319 g (UZ-3) per 100 g. TAC (Total antioxidant capacity) was measured by TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) assay in fruits of Prunus spinosa L. genotypes and ranged from 8.886 mmol (UZ-3) to 1.302 mmol (UZ-5) TE (Trolox Equivalent) per kg. Compared to commercial plum cultivar Stanley (Prunus domestica), wild grown Prunus spinosa L. genotypes were found to be superior with respect to antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, organic acids and most of the phenolic compounds.