Anthocyanin Profile of Russian Wild Berries

Wild berries are a rich source of various biologically active substances. This paper focuses on the investigation of most common Russian forest berries on the total content and profile of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and total antiradical and antioxidant activity in 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyI (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Among berries analyzed were representatives of Ericacea family – bilberry, blueberry, crowberry, lingonberry, cranberry (V. oxycoccus and V. macrocarpon), of Caprifoliaceae family – honeysuckle, elderberry, vilburnum and Rosaceae family – chokeberry and saskatoon berry. Total anthocyanins were determined by pH-differential spectrophotometry, anthocyanin profile – by HPLC-TOF-mass-spectrometry, sum of proanthocyanidins – was estimated by colorimetry after butanol-hydrochloric acid hydrolysis. More than 100 samples of berries were selected from the northwestern and northern regions of the European part of Russia and western Siberia. The obtained data on the specific composition of anthocyanins and antioxidant properties of domestic berries are relevant to assess their potential effectiveness as a raw material for biological active food supplements and fortified foods and to develop criteria for authenticity and nutritional value of the berry raw materials.