Abstract:

To take full advantage of the bilberry resources, DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion free radical scavenging and reducing power assays were used to study the in vitro antioxidant activity of the fruits of cultivated bilberry varieties, including Lanfeng, Beichun, Meideng, and wild bilberry fruits. The contents of polyphenol and anthocyanins were also determined. The results showed that, the anthocyanin content of Lanfeng, Beichun, Meideng and wild bilberry were 19.77, 12.67, 24.73 mg/g and 32.44 mg/g frozen fruit, respectively, and anthocyanin had noticeable antioxidant activities. Among the four varieties of bilberry, the antioxidant activity of wild bilberry was the highest, followed by Meideng. The anthocyanins from the four varieties of bilberry had different antioxidant effects at the same concentrations. It is deduced that this is ascribed to the differences in anthocyanin composition and content.

Key words: bilberry, anthocyanins, antioxidant activities