Interspecific variation in anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity among genotypes of highbush and lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium section cyanococcus spp.)

Recent interest in the possible protective effects of dietary antioxidant c ompounds against human degenerative disease has prompted investigation of f oods such as blueberries (Vaccinium sp.), which have a high antioxidant cap acity. Fruit obtained from genotypes of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium cor ymbosum L.) and lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) were an alyzed for their antioxidant capacity, their content of anthocyanins, and t otal phenolic compounds, to evaluate the intraspecific and interspecific va riation in these parameters. The method of extraction influenced the compos ition of fruit extracts; the highest anthocyanin and total phenolic content s and antioxidant capacity were found in extracts obtained using a solvent of acidified aqueous methanol. Regardless of the method, lowbush blueberrie s were consistently higher in anthocyanins, total phenolics, and antioxidan t capacity, compared with highbush blueberries. There was no relationship b etween fruit size and anthocyanin content in either species.