Preliminary characterisation of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes for their physico-chemical properties

Fruit weight, antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, soluble solid content (SSC), reducing sugar and acidity of a number of selected cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes of varied pigmentation were investigated. Two methods, namely β-carotene bleaching and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used to determine total antioxidant capacity, while Folin–Ciocalteu reagent was used to determine total phenols. Fruit weight, SSC and ascorbic acid content of genotypes were 2.09–9.17; 12.53–21.17% and 29–112 mg/100 g, respectively. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content varied among genotypes and 44-18 genotype had the highest antioxidant capacity using both methods. This genotype also had the highest total phenolic (74.8 mg GAE/g DW) and total anthocyanin (115 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents /100 g FW) content. There are linear relationships between antioxidant capacities and total phenols. The present study demonstrates the potential of certain cornelian cherry genotypes, notably 44-18, for improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes.