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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #209436
Title: PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT IN BLUEBERRIES IS INFLUENCED BY UV ILLUMINATION

Author
item CHEN, CHI-TSUN - COA, TAIWAN
item Wang, Shiow
item Wang, Chien

Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2007
Publication Date: 4/20/2007
Citation: Chen, C., Wang, S.Y., Wang, C.Y. 2007. Phytochemical content in blueberries is influenced by uv illumination. BARC Poster Day.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The levels of phytochemicals in blueberries were found to increase after illumination with UV-C light. Phytochemicals affected included resveratrol, myricetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin 3-galactoside, quercetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin derivative, kaempferol 3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-galactoside, cyaniding 3-galactoside, delphinidin 3-arabinoside, petunidin 3-galactoside, petunidin 3-glucoside, malvidin 3-galactoside, malvidin-3-arabinoside, and chlorogenic acid as analyzed by HPLC. The optimum doses of UV-C for enhancing phytochemical content were 2.15 and 4.30 kJ m-2. UV-C dosages of 0.43 or 6.45 kJ m-2 showed no significant influence in anthocyanin content, but a UV-C dosage of 0.43 kJ m-2 significantly increased total phenolics as compared to those in control fruit. Significantly higher antioxidant capacity (expressed as oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) was also detected in fruit treated with 0.43, 2.15, or 4.30 kJ m-2 compared to control fruit. We also discovered that antioxidant capacity was more highly correlated with total phenolics than with anthocyanins in blueberries. These data suggest that proper use of UV-C illumination is capable of modifying the phytochemical content of blueberries, resulting in increased health benefits.