Nutritional value of fruits of different highbush blueberry cultivars

Highbush blueberry is one of the most common berry crops. The presence of polyphenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, determines the high nutritional value of blueberry fruits, as well as their potential health benefits for humans. A large number of studies have shown that regular highbush blueberry consumption can reduce the development and progression risk of several diseases caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, it can positively affect the composition of the human intestinal microbiome. The work aims to study the content and composition of the main groups of polyphenolic compounds, organic acids, and sugars in fresh fruits of 7 blueberry cultivars (Coville, Elliott, Bluray, Bluegold, Goldtraube 71, Spartan, Rancocas). Fruits were collected from plants grown at the experimental cultivar testing site of the I.V. Michurin Federal Research Center. They were examined using modern analytical methods such as spectrophotometry, HPLC with photo-, refracto-, and mass-spectrometric detection. The content and profile of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, catechins, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, organic acids, and sugars were examined in detail. In addition, the study determined the main specific chemotaxonomic features in the cultivar context. Drawing on the obtained results, cultivars with the highest anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin contents were identified. The article shows that the studied cultivars have potential for being used as raw materials to increase the nutritional value of human diets.