Bioactive Compounds of Indigenous Canadian Small Fruits: UHPLC-HRMS-Based Phytochemical Characterization, Mineral Composition and Their Antioxidant Activity

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Canadian prairie small fruits have attracted great interest for their potential health benefits, including cardiovascular and anticancer effects. This study examined 14 species of prairie small fruits using a targeted ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) metabolomics approach to quantify 66 phenolic compounds alongside moisture, fat, mineral content, total flavonoid and phenolic content (TPC). Antioxidant capacity was assessed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical scavenging assays. Anthocyanins dominated most berries, exceeding 80% of total phenolics in chokeberries and blueberries. Redcurrants and gooseberries contained higher proportions of isoflavones and flavonols, while chokecherries showed notable contributions from procyanidins and hydroxycinnamic acids. Saskatoon berries had the highest TPC (2100 mg/kg) with a balanced flavonoid profile. Principal component analysis revealed Saskatoon berries clustering distinctly from other species, reflecting their unique metabolomic signature. Nannyberries had the strongest FRAP activity, whereas gooseberries and highbush cranberries had the lowest. These findings highlight the phytochemical diversity of prairie berries and their potential for functional food and nutraceutical applications.