Phenolics, antioxidative activity and characterization of anthocyanins in berries of blackcurrant interspecific hybrids.

The interest in phenols and anthocyanins has increased due to their antioxidant properties and to their potential usage as dietary antioxidants in human nutrition. Total phenols and anthocyanin content, composition and stability in berry extracts of blackcurrant interspecific hybrids, and antioxidative activity of extracts was evaluated. Berries of interspecific hybrids accumulated 530 to 614 mg 100 g(-1) FW of total phenolic compounds, while 621 mg 100 g(-1) FW of phenolics was established in berries of control Ribes nigrum cultivar 'Ben Tirran'. 'Ben Tirran' berries accumulated 444 mg 100 g(-1) FW of anthocyanins and higher amount was identified in berries of interspecific hybrids No. 11-13 (R. nigrum × R. petraeum) and No. 57 (R. nigrum × R. aureum), 522 and 498 mg100 g(-1) FW respectively. Berry extracts of hybrid No. 11-13 distinguished by the highest antioxidative activity (80%) and it was higher than antioxidant activity of 'Ben Tirran' (70%). Antioxidative activity of all tested berry extracts (70-80%) was twice higher compared to synthetic antioxidant BHT (39%). However correlation between phenolics or total anthocyanin content and antioxidative activity degree was not established. Amount of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside in berries of hybrids No. 57, No. 11-13 and No. 8 ((R. nigrum × R. americanum) × (R. nigrum × R. americanum)) was higher than in berries of 'Ben Tirran'. It was established that cyanidins are more stable anthocyanins in all studied temperature and irradiation conditions. Therefore interspecific hybrids No. 57 and No. 11-13 were the most agronomically valuable hybrids.