Relation of total antiradical activity and total polyphenol content of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) and tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.)

In present study the quantification of total phenolics content (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and their relation in sweet and tart cherries were studied. Aqueous and pure polar solvents were used to compare the yield of present phenolic compounds in prepared extracts. The solubility of phenolics was the most effective in sweet cherry extracts with using of 50 % methanol and in tart cherry extracts with using of 50 % acetone. The yield of TPC of both tested cherry fruit extracts was higher with pure methanol in comparison to pure acetone. Substantial TPC assessed with Folin-Ciocealteu assay in tart cherry extracts were in range from 70.6±8.46 mg to 241.4±7.26 mg GAE/100 g FW. Extracts from lyophilised tart cherries (methanolic and water-acetone mixtures) contain in average 2-times higher amount of polyphenols than ethanol extracts. The DPPH antiradical efficiency values of the both tested fruit extracts were higher in extracts of tart cherries (from 5.4 to 9.9 % of inhibition of DPPH radical) when compared to those of sweet cherries (from 2.4 to 3.5 % of inhibition of DPPH radical). Total antioxidant activity (TAA) of sweet cherry extracts (using 70 % ethanol and with 70 % methanol) and of tart cherry extracts (with 50 % methanol) depended on phenolics content.