Phytochemical analysis by liquid chromatography of ten old apple varieties grown in Austria and their antioxidative activity

The phytochemicals and antioxidative potency in ten old apple varieties cultivated in Austria were characterized. The apple varieties were tested for contents of polyphenolic compounds, sugars and organic acid with the liquid chromatography method, and antioxidative activity with the ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. A total of 31 polyphenols, including 13 flavanols, 5 phenolic acids, 10 flavonols, 1 anthocyanin, and 2 dihydrochalcones were determined. The average content of polyphenols was 2294.25 mg/100 g dw (dry weight) with high ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays (mean 5.05, 5.85 and 3.38 mmol Trolox (TE)/100 g dw). In turn, the amount of sugar in the old apple varieties was ranged from 261.68 to 429.56 mg/g dw, and organic acids from 42.76 to 112.51 mg/g dw. The statistical method of PCA successfully selected old apple varieties cultivated in Austria that contained the highest levels of bioactive compounds, antioxidative potency, organic acid and low level of sugars varieties such as 'Brunnerling Type 1', 'Croncels Type 2', 'Brunnerling Type 4', and 'Goldgelbe Sommerrenette'.