Abstract:

Quality properties of 14 different blueberry cultivars from Shandong province were analyzed in terms of sensory
evaluation, nutritional qualities, and processing characteristics. Cluster analysis was used to evaluate the overall quality of
different cultivars to choose the best cultivar. The results indicated that the fruit quality had differences among different
blueberry cultivars. Notable differences were observed in antioxidant substances, fruit juice rate and solid/acid ratio of
these blueberry cultivars. L5 exhibited the highest abundance of anthocyanins (617.46 mg/100 g) and solid/acid ratio
(47.78%), while Lanta-1 indicated the highest fruit juice rate (78.43%). In addition, total sugar content of Lanta-2 was the
highest among the cultivars analyzed. The 14 varieties could be grouped into four categories: the first category included
37-1, O’ Neal, Beilu and B; the second category included Elliott-1, Brigitta, Lanfeng and Lanta-1; the third category
included Elliott-2, Duke and Z. H34 and Lanta-2 belonged to the fourth category; and L5 was assigned to the last category.
Preliminary evaluation showed that the blueberry varieties in the second category were excellent for juice- or wine-making.
The fourth category was excellent blueberry varieties for direct consumption. Besides, the last category was the excellent
blueberry cultivar suitable both for making jam and processing dried fruit.

Key words: blueberry, cultivars, quality properties, cluster analysis