ISSN 0101-2061

Original

Cincia e Tecnologia de Alimentos

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of blueberry cultivars grown in Brazil

Compostos fenlicos e atividade antioxidante de cultivares de mirtilo produzidas no Brasil
Eliseu RODRIGUES1*, Naira POERNER2, Ismael Ivan ROCKENBACH1,
Luciano Valdemir GONZAGA1, Camila Ribas MENDES1, Roseane FETT1
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of the phenolic compounds and anthocyanins and the antioxidant activity of blueberry
(Vacciniumsp.) cultivars grown in Brazil. The Folin-Ciocalteau method was applied in order to quantify the phenolic compounds and ABTS,
DPPH, FRAP, and -carotene/linoleic acid methods were applied in order to evaluated antioxidant activity. The phenolic compounds content
ranged from 274.48 to 694.60mg GAE.100g1 of fresh weight (FW). Anthocyanins content ranged from 40.62 to 378.31mg.100g1 FW
for Bluecrop and Tifblue cultivars, respectively. Antioxidant activities assessed by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods presented significant
differences among the studied cultivars ranging from 1238.48 to 2445.96, 1014.24 to 2055.06 and 699.78 to 1740.25mol TEAC.100g1 FW,
respectively. The results confirm the blueberry as a source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity and also show that there
are different levels of concentrations of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity according to the cultivar and production location.
Keywords: blueberry; cultivars; antioxidant activity; phenolic compounds.

Resumo
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a concentrao de compostos fenlicos totais, antocianinas monomricas totais e a atividade antioxidante
in vitro das principais cultivares de mirtilo (Vaccinium sp.) produzidas no Brasil. O mtodo Folin-Ciocalteau foi aplicado para quantificar
os compostos fenlicos totais e os mtodos ABTS, DPPH, FRAPe -caroteno/cido linoleico para avaliar a atividade antioxidante. O teor
de compostos fenlicos totais encontrado variou de 274,48 a 694,60 mg de equivalente a cido glico (EAG).100 g-1 em peso fresco (PF). A
concentrao de antocianinas monomricas variou da cultivar Bluecrop at a Tifblue, com valores de, respectivamente, 40,62 a 378,31mg.100g-1
PF. A atividade antioxidante medida pelos mtodos ABTS, DPPH e FRAP mostrou grande amplitude entre as cultivares estudadas, com valores
variando de, respectivamente, 1238,48 a 2445,96, 1014,24 a 2055,06 e 699,78 a 1740,25 mol TEAC.100 g-1 PF. Os resultados confirmam o mirtilo
como fonte de compostos fenlicos com elevada atividade antioxidante. Demonstram ainda que existem diferentes nveis de concentraes
de compostos fenlicos e atividade antioxidante de acordo com a cultivar e o local de produo desta fruta.
Palavras-chave: mirtilo; cultivares; atividade antioxidante; compostos fenlicos.

1 Introduction
Free radicals and other reactive species can cause oxidation
and biomolecular damage when the oxidative species exceed the
anti-oxidative defenses of the organism resulting in oxidative
stress. This is associated to aging and to the development
of pathologies such as cancer, cardiovascular disease,
neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and inflammation
(DUFFYetal., 2007; MATEOS; BRAVO, 2007; LU; FINKEL,
2008). However, evidence has shown the relationship between a
diet rich in fruit and vegetables and a decrease of cardiovascular
disease and certain types of cancer, which, hypothetically,
is due to the antioxidant contents (GERMAN; WALZEM,
2000; KAUR; KAPOOR, 2001; YANGetal., 2001; GARCIAALONSOetal., 2004). This relationship has stimulated research
on the antioxidant capacity of fruit and vegetables.
Among the compounds with antioxidant properties found
in fruits and vegetables, phenol compounds stand out. They

account for the largest part of the antioxidant activity of many

plants (DUTHIE; CROZIER, 2000). They occur naturally
in plants as secondary metabolites, and are present in fruits,
vegetables, leaves, nuts, seeds, and flowers. They are an integral
part of the human diet and have also been intentionally added
to some medication preparations (WUetal., 2004). Small fruits,
known as berries, are very rich in phenol compounds and
present high antioxidant activity (SEERAM, 2008; WOLFEetal.,
2008), and are interesting as ingredients for use in juices, jams,
ice cream, and cake icing, in addition to being used successfully
in the development of functional foods with the objective of
enhancing health (POTTERetal., 2007). Among the berries,
the blueberry (vacciniumsp.), represented by various species
and cultivars, stands out, and some of them present antioxidant
activity significantly greater than others (PRIORetal., 1998;
MOYERetal., 2002).

Received 25/2/2010
Accepted 20/7/2010 (004678)
1
Laboratrio de Qumica de Alimentos, Departamento de Cincia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Centro de Cincias Agrrias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina UFSC,
Rod. Admar Gonzaga, 1346, Itacorubi, CEP 88034-001, Florianpolis, SC, Brasil, e-mail: [email protected]
2
Instituto de Cincia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonalves, 9500, Agronomia, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
* Corresponding author

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911

Antioxidant activity of blueberry cultivars

Blueberry production is concentrated mainly in the United

States and Canada, and the former is responsible for 66%
and the latter for 33% of world production (STRIK, 2005).
Brazil has recently become a blueberry producer with a small
production concentrated in the south and southeastern regions
of the country, in the municipalities of Vacaria and Caxias do
Sul (Rio Grande do Sul, RS), Barbacena (Minas Gerais, MG),
and Campos do Jordo (So Paulo, SP) (SANTOS, 2004).
Considering the lack of information on the phenolic compounds
content and antioxidant activity of the blueberries produced
in Brazil, the objective of this study was to assess the phenolic
compounds content, anthocyanins content, and in vitro
antioxidant activity of the main blueberry (Vaccinium sp.)
cultivars grown in Brazil using the ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and
-carotene/linoleic acid methods.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Chemicals
2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)
(ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), -carotene,
linoleic acid, BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), Trolox
(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid),
and gallic acid were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemie
(Steinheim, Germany). Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, 2,4,6-Tris(2pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPTZ), and Tween 40 were purchased
from Fluka Chemie AG (Buchs, Switzerland). Methanol,
chloroform, ferric chloride, sodium carbonate, chloridric, acid
and potassium persulphate were purchased from Vetec (So
Paulo, Brazil).
2.2 Samples
The blueberry samples were collected directly from the
producers (2008 harvest) in Rio Grande do Sul state - RS
(southern region), in the municipalities of Pelotas (3145S,
5222W), Caxias do Sul (3145S, 5220W), and Vacaria
(28 29 S, 50 57 W); in So Paulo state - SP (southeastern
region), municipality of Campos do Jordo (22 44 S,
4535W); and Minas Gerais state - MG (southeastern region),
municipality of Barbacena (2118S, 4348W). The following
cultivars were used: Bluecrop (Vacciniumcorymbosum); Delite,
woodard, clmax, bluegem, flrida M, powderblue, briteblue,
bluebelle, and Tifblue (Vaccinium ashei Reade). The samples
were collected randomly resulting in 3 (three) samples of 500g
for each cultivar. The samples were transported to the laboratory
at 5.01.0C, where they were separated into plastic packages
of 100 g portions. These packages were de-oxygenized with
nitrogen for five minutes, frozen, and stored at 18.00.5C
until analysis. Special care was taken while selecting to avoid
damaged, unripe, or very ripe fruits.
2.3 Preparation of extracts
Samples of ground blueberry (2.000g) were extracted with
methanol (60mL3) in an ultrasonic water bath (USC-1400
Unique) for 15minutes at room temperature (20C). The extract
was centrifuged at 2000g for 10minutes and the supernatant
912

was stored in an amber flask. This extract was used to determine

the total phenolic compounds (TP) and for the antioxidant
activity (AA) analysis.
Samples of ground blueberry (1.500g) were extracted with
acidified (HCl 0.1%) methanol (15mL3) in an ultrasonic
water bath (USC-1400 Unique) for 30 minutes at room
temperature (20C). The extract was centrifuged at 2000g for
10minutes, and the supernatant was used to assess the total
anthocyanin contents (TA).
2.4 Determination of total phenolic compounds (TP)
The total phenolic content of each extract was
determined spectrophotometrically (Hewlett-Packard 8452 A
Spectrophotometer) according to the Folin-Ciocalteau method
(SINGLETON; ROSSI, 1965). Absorbance was read at 765nm
and results were expressed, in fresh weight, as mg.100g1 gallic
acid equivalent (GAE).
2.5 Determination of total anthocyanins (TA)
Total anthocyanins content was determined by the pHdifferential method (GIUSTI; WROLSTAD, 2001). Absorbance
was read at 700 nm and at the wavelength of maximum
absorption. Results, in fresh weight, were expressed as the
concentration of anthocyanins in mg.100 g 1 cyanidin-3glucoside equivalent (=26900, MW=449.2).
2.6 Antioxidant activity
ABTS method
The ABTS method (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6sulphonic acid) is based on the deactivation of the antioxidant
radical cation ABTS+, which is measured by the decrease in
absorbance at 734nm. The ABTS method was performed as
described by Reetal. (1999). Absorbance was read at 734nm,
7 minutes after the extract addition. The total antioxidant
activity of the blueberry, in fresh weight, was expressed in
Mol.100 g-1 of TEAC (Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity).
DPPH method
2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical is one of
the few stable and commercially available organic nitrogen
compounds. The method is based on the deactivation of the
DPPH radical by compounds with antioxidant properties
present in fruit extracts, and this deactivation is monitored at
515 nm. The DPPH method was carried out as described by
Kimetal. (2002). The decrease in the absorbance of 100M
DPPH radical (2.9 mL) dissolved in 80% methanol was
evaluated at 515 nm, 30 minutes after the addition of each
extract. The total antioxidant activity of blueberry, in fresh
weight, was also expressed in Mol.100g1 of TEAC.
FRAP method
As described by Benzie and Strain (1996), with modifications
by Arnous, Makris and Kefalas (2002), the FRAP method
Cinc. Tecnol. Aliment., Campinas, 31(4): 911-917, out.-dez. 2011

Rodriguesetal.

is based on the direct measurement of the antioxidant

(reducing) ability through the reduction of the complex Fe3+/
tripyridyltriazine (TPTZ) to Fe2+ at acidic pH (3.6). Absorbance
was read at 620nm and the reducing power, in fresh weight,
was expressed in Mol.100g1 of TEAC.
Co-oxidation of -carotene/linoleic acid method
Oxidation inhibition power was evaluated by the
discoloration of the -carotene/linoleic acid system as described
by Marco (1968) and modified by Miller (1971). A 20L aliquot
of -carotene solution (20mg.mL1 in chloroform) was placed
in a 250mL erlenmeyer flask with 40L of linoleic acid, 1mL
chloroform, and 20 mg of Tween 40. After homogenization,
the chloroform was completely evaporated with nitrogen.
Deionised water (previously submitted to oxygen atmosphere
for 30 minutes) was then added until formation of a clear
emulsion with absorbance ranging from 0.6 to 0.7 at 470nm.
Aliquots of the extracts (100L) and 100mg.L1 of BHT were
added to 5mL of linoleic acid emulsion in glass cuvettes (optical
path of 10mm). After the initial reading, the absorbance was
monitored every 15minutes for 2hours. During this period,
the cuvettes were kept at 50C in a water bath. The decrease in
absorbance was compared to the control (without antioxidant).
The antioxidant activity was expressed as percent inhibition, in
relation to the control, according to the following Equation1:
Ai - A f

inhibition % = 100 -

Ci - C f

100

(1)

Ai=extract initial absorbance

Af=extract final absorbance
Ci=control initial absorbance
Cf=control final absorbance
2.7 Statistical analysis
The descriptive analyses, linear regression (R2), linear
correlation (R), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Tukey
test were performed using Statistica software (2004), 7.0 version.
The data are presented as mean standard deviation (SD).
Three samples (n=3) of each cultivar were analyzed, and all
assays were performed in triplicate. Differences at p<0.05 were
considered significant.

3 Results and discussion

3.1 Total phenolic compounds (TP) and
total anthocyanins (TA)
Table 1 shows the phenolic compounds concentration
in the blueberry cultivars studied. The phenolic compounds
concentration ranged from 274.48 to 694.60mg GAE.100g1
FW. The Clmax, cultivar, from Barbacena (MG), presented
the highest TP concentration. Sellappan, Akoh and Krewer
(2002) studied different blueberry cultivars in the state of
Georgia (USA) and reported a maximum TP concentration
34% higher than that found in this study, 929.62 mg.100 g1
Cinc. Tecnol. Aliment., Campinas, 31(4): 911-917, out.-dez. 2011

FW, for the Brightblue cultivar. The same authors reported a

minimum concentration of 261.95mg.100g1 FW, a value close
to that found for the Bluecrop cultivar in the present study,
274.48mg.100g1 FW. This concentration was higher than that
reported by Prioretal. (1998), which was 189.90mg.100g1 FW,
for the Bluecrop cultivar produced in North Carolina (USA),
but which was lower than those reported by Kaltetal. (1999),
386.17 mg.100 g1 FW, and Giovanelli and Buratti (2009),
299.00mg.100g1 FW, assessing the same cultivar produced in
Canada and Italy, respectively.
Samples of the Powderblue, Clmax, Bluebelle, and
Bluegem cultivars collected in different production locations
in Brazil (Table1) showed significant difference (p<0.05) for
TP concentration. These results confirmed the effect of the
production location on the phenolic compounds concentration.
Similarly, Connor, Luby and Tong (2002) observed a significant
influence (p<0.05) in two harvests of the cultivation location
on the TP content present in 16 blueberry cultivars.
Table1 shows that, in general, the cultivars representative
of the Vacciniumashei Reade species presented greater richness
in phenolic compounds than the Bluecrop cultivar, the only
representatives of the Vacciniumcorymbosum species assessed.
This greater richness in phenolic compounds was also observed
in other studies that assessed cultivars representing the two
species (PRIORetal., 1998; MOYERetal., 2002).
Table1 shows the TA content in the blueberry cultivars.
The concentration of Bluecrop and Tifblue cultivars ranged
from 40.62 to 378.31mg.100g1 FW, respectively. There was
Table 1. Total phenolic compounds (TP) and total anthocyanins (TA)
of blueberry cultivars (Vacciniumsp.) grown in Brazil.
Cultivar

tp
(mg.100 g1)1
Vaccinium corymbosum L.
Bluecropb
274.48 15.83g
Vaccinium ashei Reade
Delited
418.67 5.63d
Powderbluea
675.57 10.25a
Bluegema
336.57 1.92f
Clmaxa
288.03 8.10g
a
Flrida M
332.96 24.67f
a
Woodard
378.55 26.91e
d
Bluebelle
339.39 18.28f
c
Powderblue
436.69 13.91d
c
Briteblue
482.64 14.36c
c
Flrida M
340.41 6.98f
c
Bluebelle
557.33 18.58b
c
Bluegem
542.45 21.36b
e
Clmax
694.60 47.39a
e
Tifblue
450.62 6.63d
Mean SD
436.60 131.82

ta
(mg.100 g1)2

TA/TP

40.62 3.17g

0.15

231.47 5.92c
245.48 19.71c
265.99 23.95b
240.50 37.51c
278.76 19.92b
254.89 18.39b
238.85 15.56c
220.29 18.19d
258.17 30.38b
69.97 4.82f
162.85 14.56e
186.66 9.61e
234.08 19.69c
378.31 16.23a
220.46 81.99

0.55
0.36
0.79
0.83
0.84
0.67
0.70
0.50
0.53
0.21
0.29
0.34
0.34
0.84
0.54

Values are expressed in fresh weight of blueberry and as meanstandard deviation (SD),
n=3. Different letters in the same column indicate significant difference (p<0.05).
1
Expressed as GAE (gallic acid equivalent). 2Expressed as equivalent to cyanidin-3glucoside. aCaxias do Sul (RS), bVacaria (RS), cPelotas (RS), dCampos do Jordo (SP),
e
Barbacena (MG).

913

Antioxidant activity of blueberry cultivars

no great variability in the TA content among the cultivars

studied, except for the Flrida M (Pelotas, RS) and Bluecrop
cultivars that presented a much lower concentration and the
Tifblue cultivar that presented a much higher concentration
than the others. The TA values detected for the blueberries
(Vaccinium sp.) produced in Brazil were greater than those
reported by Sellappan, Akoh and Krewer (2002) for blueberry
cultivars (Vacciniumcorymbosum and VacciniumasheiReade)
and blackberry cultivars (RubusL.) produced in Georgia (USA).
The Flrida M, Bluegem, Powderblue, and Bluebelle
cultivars, grown in different locations, presented significant
difference (p < 0.05) in TA concentration. The Flrida M
cultivar from Caxias do Sul (RS) was stood out because it had a
concentration approximately 4 times greater than that presented
by the same cultivar produced in Pelotas (RS).
Table 1 shows the TA/TP ratio as an estimate of the
representativeness of the TA in relation to the phenolic
compound concentration present in the fruit. As can be
observed, on average, the anthocyanins represented 54% of the
TP concentration present in the cultivars assessed. Thus, data
found in the present study corroborated the results obtained
by other authors (MOYERetal., 2002; TARUSCIO; BARNEY;
EXON, 2004; GIOVANELLI; BURATTI, 2009), who reported
the anthocyanins as accounting for a large proportion of the
phenolic compounds present in blueberries. These flavonoids are
responsible for a large part of the AA presented by blueberries,
as shown in the study of Zheng and Wang (2003), in which the
anthocyanins represented 55.4% of the TP and contributed to
56.3% of the antioxidant activity presented by the fruit.
The blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) produced in Brazil, in
spite of the differences observed among cultivars, are rich in
phenolic compounds. This statement was confirmed by the
higher concentration of TP compared to other fruits such as
apple, avocado, plum, raspberry, strawberry, banana, blackberry,
grape, cherry, mango, lemon, orange, nectarine, peach, pear, and
pineapple (WUetal., 2004; WOLFEetal., 2008).

Table 2. Antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) of blueberry

cultivars (Vacciniumsp.) grown in Brazil.
Cultivar

ABTS 1
DPPH 1
(mol.100 g1)
(mol.100 g1)
Vaccinium corymbosum L.
Bluecropb
1253.90 87.55g
1244.13 12.49f
Vaccinium ashei Reade
Delited
1931.90 60.30c
1756.11 60.11b
Powderbluea 1929.20 150.15c 1907.97 154.77a
Bluegema
1571.69 35.10e
1473.58 31.71d
Clmaxa
1419.66 27.70f
1227.88 15. 53f
Flrida Ma 1420.42 84.63f
1348.76 144.05e
Woodarda
1975.60 109.73c 1653.50 94.22c
Bluebelled
1678.12 94.27d
1478.40 128.47d
Powderbluec 2293.20 150.46ab 1935.84 47.91a
Britebluec
2185.00 97.93b
2055.06 134.12a
Flrida Mc 1238.50 48.45g
1014.20 81.56g
Bluebellec
2438.90 133.90a 1983.00 121.40a
Bluegemc
2445.96 227.75a 1873.19 55.8b
Clmaxe
1951.61 22.11c
1917.02 61.91a
e
c
Tifblue
2028.80 128.01
1727.95 69.12b
Mean SD 1850.83 404.23 1639.77 322.78

FRAP 1
(mol.100 g1)
699.78 16.47e
1194.15 30.67d
1318.41 2.16c
1044.20 37.62d
868.36 10.09e
1126.72 82.68d
1285.94 42.93c
1271.48 106.67c
1530.77 149.59b
1429.67 42.61b
732.79 40.63e
1544.64 126.38b
1740.25 161.66a
1262.03 22.20c
1163.95 35.62d
1214.20 293,94

Values are expressed in fresh weight of blueberry and as meanstandard deviation (SD),
n=3. Different letters in the same column indicate significant difference (p<0.05).
1
Expressed as TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). aCaxias do Sul. bVacaria.
c
Pelotas. dCampos do Jordo. eBarbacena.

3.2 Antioxidant activity (AA) ABTS, DPPH,

and FRAP methods
Table 2 presents the results of AA assessment in the
blueberry cultivars using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods.
These methods presented high positive correlation (p<0.05) of
ABTS/FRAP (R=0.94), DPPH/FRAP (R=0.86), and ABTS/
DPPH (R=0.92). This means that the analytical methods used
presented a very similar response and can be used without
distinction to quantify AA in this fruit.
Moderate correlation (p<0.05) was detected between the
mean AA by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods and the
TP and TA concentration in the cultivars studied (Figure1).
This moderate correlation may be the result of the presence of
compounds that present AA but are not phenolic compounds
or the presence of phenolic compounds with greater efficiency
than others (LIEN et al., 1999; NATELLA et al., 1999;
GIOVANELLI; BURATTI, 2009). Furthermore, this may be the
result of antagonistic or synergistic effects among the phenolic
compounds present in the matrix. Thus the TP concentration
914

Figure 1. Correlation between total phenolic compounds (TP), total

anthocyanins (TA), and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP)
of blueberry cultivars (Vacciniumsp.) grown in Brazil.
Cinc. Tecnol. Aliment., Campinas, 31(4): 911-917, out.-dez. 2011

Rodriguesetal.

alone does not permit a precise indication of the blueberry AA.

Similarly, Srivastavaetal. (2007) found a moderate correlation
between the TP and TA concentration and the AA presented
by blueberries. At the same time, these data do not agree with
the studies by Prioretal. (1998), Kaltetal. (1999), Moyeretal.
(2002), Taruscio, Barney and Exon (2004) and Giovanelli and
Buratti (2009) who reported high positive correlation between
TP and TA and the AA presented by blueberries.

1740.25 mol TEAC.100 g1 FW, respectively. The Briteblue,

Powderblue, Clmax and Bluebelle cultivars (Pelotas, RS) and
the Clmax cultivar (Barbacena, MG) presented the highest AA
values by the DPPH method, and they did not differ significantly
(p < 0.05). The Bluegem cultivar (Pelotas, RS) presented the
highest AA by the FRAP method. Therefore, like in the ABTS
method, some cultivars produced in different locations in Brazil
presented significant difference (p<0.05).

The AA measured by applying the ABTS method showed

great amplitude among the blueberry cultivars studied,
with variation of 1238.48 to 2445.96 mol TEAC.100 g 1
FW, respectively, presented for the Flrida M and Bluebelle
cultivars, both from Pelotas (RS). Sellappan, Akoh and Krewer
(2002) assessed AA using the same analytical method and
reported even wider amplitude with values ranging from
811 to 3829mol TEAC.100g1 FW for the blueberry. These
wide amplitudes were also observed by Prioretal. (1998) and
Moyer et al. (2002) who assessed AA by the ORAC (oxygen
radical absorbance capacity) method. The AA measured by the
ABTS method for the Powderblue, Clmax, Bluegem, Flrida
M and Bluebelle cultivars, produced in two different locations,
presented significant difference (p<0.05). Therefore, similarly
to the TP content, the differences observed in these values
confirmed the effect of production location on AA and were
in agreement with the studies conducted by Connor, Luby and
Tong (2002) that assessed 16 blueberry cultivars in three regions
in the USA (Michigan, Minnesota and Oregon).

As shown in Table 2, similarly to TP and TA, the

cultivars representative of the VacciniumasheiReade species
presented higher AA than that of the representatives of
the Vaccinium corymbosum species, the Bluecrop cultivar.
Moyeretal. (2002) assessed the Bluegem cultivar as the only
representative of the Vaccinium ashei Reade species and
reported AA values approximately twice as great as those found
in the samples (n=7) of the Vacciniumcorymbosum species.
Prioretal. (1998) detected AA equivalent to the representative
cultivars of the two species.

The AA assessment by the DPPH and FRAP methods

also presented great amplitude among the cultivars studied
with values ranging from 1014.20 to 2055.06 and 699.78 to

Figure 2 shows the AA of the blueberry cultivars in the

-carotene/linoleic acid method. All cultivars presented much
lower AA than that presented by BHT, which was used as

In general, the AA values in this study were similar to those

presented by other authors for blueberry (Vacciniumsp.) cultivars
and species produced in Spain (GARCIA-ALONSOetal., 2004),
and they were slightly lower than those from Italy (GIOVANELLI;
BURATTI, 2009) and the USA (MOYERetal., 2002; SELLAPPAN;
AKOH; KREWER, 2002; TARUSCIO; BARNEY; EXON, 2004).
3.3 Antioxidant activity (AA) -carotene/linoleic acid method

Figure 2. Oxidation inhibition (%) of blueberry cultivars (Vacciniumsp.) and BHT at 100mg.L1 in -carotene/linoleic acid system. Values are
expressed in fresh weight of blueberry and as meanstandard deviation (SD), n=3. aCaxias do Sul, bVacaria, cPelotas, dCampos do Jordao,
e
Barbacena.
Cinc. Tecnol. Aliment., Campinas, 31(4): 911-917, out.-dez. 2011

915

Antioxidant activity of blueberry cultivars

positive control. The Bluecrop cultivar, representative of the

Vaccinium corymbosum species, presented the greatest AA
in this emulsified system with a value of 19.49% oxidation
inhibition. It was followed by the Flrida M and Bluebelle
cultivars, both from Pelotas (RS), with values of 18.32 and
18.96% oxidation inhibition, respectively. These two cultivars
were not significantly different (p>0.05). The AA values were
similar to those reported by Meloetal. (2008) for pineapple,
cashew, tangerine, orange, pear, papaya, Hawaian papaya,
mango, watermelon, and melon and were lower than those of
guava and pine seeds. In the same study, the fruits were classified
as possessing moderate and weak antioxidant activity when
they presented oxidation inhibition greater or lower than 50%,
respectively. Considering this criterion, all blueberry cultivars
presented low antioxidant activity in this emulsified system,
similarly to the majority of the fruits mentioned above.
The AA presented by the blueberry extracts in the
-carotene/linoleic acid method was quite different from that
measured by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods. In these
three methods, the Bluecrop cultivar was shown as one of the
cultivars with smallest AA, but also as the cultivar that presented
the greatest capacity to inhibit oxidation in the -carotene/
linoleic acid method. Similarly, Meloetal. (2008) observed that
the fruit that presented the highest AA in the DPPH method
presented the smallest AA by the -carotene/linoleic acid
method. A possible explanation for these differences is the fact
that the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods are not influenced
by pro-oxidative substances, unlike the -carotene/linoleic acid
method (DUARTE-ALMEIDAetal., 2006). These differences in
the response of these methods show the relevance of applying
more than one analytical method, with different principles,
when the objective is to assess AA in a food matrix or even of
the pure compound.

4 Conclusion
The results confirmed the blueberry (Vaccinium sp.)
produced in Brazil as a source of phenolic compounds with high
antioxidant activity. They also showed that there are different
levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity according
to the blueberry cultivar and the production location.
Overall, the results of this study show the great potential
of blueberries for the development of foods rich in compounds
with antioxidant properties.

Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided
by CNPq/Capes and to Italbraz, Probst and Fazenda Saint Clair
for supplying samples.

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