Investigation on the essential mineral element contentents of cultivated and wild blueberry fruits in latvia

• Main Author: Pormale, Jolanta
• Publication Date: 2010
• Other Authors: Osvalde, Anita, Karlsons, Andis
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/2958
• topic: Vaccinium myrtillus; Vaccinium corymbosum; Mineral composition

Wild blueberry (Vaccinium murtillus) is one of the most popular wild-harvested fruit in Latvia, traditionally used in folk-medicine and food. Unfortunately there are wide fluctuations in yields. The recent years mark a tremendous boom in high-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivation in Latvia. As the total berry production increase, blueberries have found a place in a daily intake as excellent source of antioxidants, dietary fibber, vitamin C and minerals. Thus, the chemical composition of Vaccinium spp. has important implication on human health. The aim of this study was to compare the contents of twelve biologically essential elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) in berries of two Vaccinium species: V. myrtillus and V. corymbosum. Together, 48 (plant and berries) samples were collected from 3 main high-bush blueberry producing sites and 5 woodland areas during summer 2008. A comparison of two species showed similar concentrations for macroelements N, P, and Mg in fruits. N and K were the predominant minerals in blueberries. It should be stressed that wild blueberries had higher level of K (on average 98.77 mg 100 g-1 fresh fruit). The data indicated statistically significant differences in microelements composition of wild and cultivated blueberry fruits. The highest concentrations of Fe, Mo and B (0.53, 0.01 and 0.14 mg 100 g-1 FW, respectively) were found in high bush blueberries, while the highest Mn and Zn concentrations (1.53, 0.13 mg 100 g-1 FW, respectively) were found in wild blueberries. Plant leaf tissues analyses supported these differences. The present study shows that fruits of both V. murtillus and V. corymbosum are valuable sources of Mn (66.55% and 49.86% from recommended daily dose, accordingly) in human nutrition. The content of Fe, Cu, Mo and B in 100g fresh fruits of both blueberries also contributes from 3.75 to 20.50% of daily micronutrient requirement.