CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF CORNELIAN CHERRY GENOTYPES GROWN IN CORUH VALLEY OF TURKEY

Turkey is rich in terms of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) germplasm resources. The country also has traditional cornelian cherry production for a long time. The purpose of this study was to assess the chemical properties, antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content in the fruits of five cornelian cherry genotypes grown in Coruh valley of Turkey. The total phenolics content, total antioxidant activity and the total anthocyanin content (TAC) of cornelian cherry fruit extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, beta-carotene bleaching, and pH-differential method respectively. The individual anthocyanins of cornelian cherry fruits were analyzed by using HPLC. The results showed that three anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-rutinozit chloride, delphinidin chloride, peonidin-3-O-glucoside chloride) were found in comelian cherry fruits. There was a significant difference on total anthocyanin content among genotypes. The highest total anthocyanin content was recorded in genotype 1 (342 mg.100 ml(-1)) whereas genotype 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 276; 271; 239 and 262 mg.100 ml(-1) total anthocyanin content, respectively. The major anthocyanin in comelian cherry fruits was cyanidin-3-O-rutinozit chloride followed by delphinidin chloride and peonidin-3-O-glucoside chloride, respectively.