Antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds of Malus spp.

Recently, crabapples have attracted increasing attention due to the accumulation of antioxidants in vegetative and generative organs. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant content of fruits and leaves of representatives of the genus Malus spp. In addition, the total content of vitamin C, hydroxycinnamic acids, chalcones and anthocyanins in the study samples were evaluated. Total antioxidant activity was found in the fruits ranging from (26.88%) to (83.62%), in the leaves from 76.58 to 83.68%. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 21.7 to 31.6 mg.100 g-1 in the fruits, and from 103.8 to 153.7 mg.100 g-1 in the leaves. Content of hydroxycinnamic acids was of 0.13–0.45, and 1.4–2.69% in the fruits and leaves, respectively. Contents of chalcones were determined in fruits from 34.6 to 72.3 mg.100 g-1, in the leaves from 71,3 to196,26 mg.100 g-1, and anthocyanins in fruits from 53.7 to 144.5 mg.100 g-1, in the leaves ranged 71.3 to 196.2 mg.100 g-1, respectively. Also, the study determined the high significant correlation between antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the fruits (r2 = 0.76, P < 0.01) and in the leaves (r2 = 0.96, P < 0.03). A relationship was found between the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acids and chalcones (r2 = 0.9, P < 0.02). This study indicates that small-fruited apples, especially red apples, have great potential as a health food riched in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity, as well as antiproliferative activity against cancer cells by large literature review. Based on the study, we can identify donors with valuable biological composition to improve the efficiency of breeding and create new apple varieties with a high content of vitamins, biologically active substances and other components necessary for the balance of useful nutrition.