SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, cilt.117, sa.4, ss.345-348, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Specific components of cranberry fruit are associated with human health attributes, such as
maintenance of urinary tract health and antioxidant status. Some of the chemical properties and
antioxidant capacity of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. cv. Pilgrim) fruits were investigated at the light green, blush, light red, and dark red maturation stages. Fruit total phenolics, total monomeric
anthocyanins, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and individual organic acids were examined. The antioxidant capacity of fruits was determined by both the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox
equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The fruit color was measured using a portable
chromameter. A converse relationship was found between total phenolics and anthocyanin as fruits
mature. Total phenolic concentration declined from 7990 to 4745 mg GAE/kg fw, while total
monomeric anthocyanin content was increased from 0.8 to 111.0 mg/kg fw from green to dark red stage.
Brix was increased from 6 to 9.3% as well. The main organic acid was citric acid determined by the HPLC
method. The antioxidant capacity of cranberries decreased to the light red stage; when a fruit accumulates
more anthocyanin the activity increased again in both FRAP and TEAC methods. The averaged antioxidant
capacity measured was 12.61 and 17.48 mmol TE/kg fw by FRAP and TEAC methods.