Characterization of antioxidant properties of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) and trace elements determination

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is a species that generally grows in the Mediterranean region and coasts and has been consumed as food since ancient times. Its fruits are mostly used in alcoholic beverages and various jams and desserts. Its fruits and leaves contain different phenolic compounds, because of this it is used in traditional folk medicine. They have different biological properties like, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, urinary antiseptic, anti-hypertension, astringent, anti-diarrheal due to their high quantity of tannins. In this study, we aimed that to determine the total antioxidant capacity of fruits and leaves and trace element contents of Arbutus unedo L. which were collected in Yalova (TURKEY). The antioxidant activities of samples were examined by ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) method, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay with ABTS radical cation. In the samples of the amount of total phenolic and tannins contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) method. In adddition to, we determined the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn in the samples by using ICP-MS. As a result, Arbutus unedo L. is a good source of antioxidants and minerals, it was stated that single antioxidant activity test would present limited information about the power of the antioxidant capacity and it was emphasized that use of combination of various methods should be used in assessing the antioxidant activities in vitro. It has been determined that the trace elements are within the determined limits.