Determination of The Biochemical Properties of Some Dried Red Fruits

Environmental pollution and the increasing consumption of processed foods are major threats to global health. People are turning to natural foods to protect themselves from health issues caused by pollution and processed foods. Recent scientific research has highlighted the health-promoting properties of antioxidants and phenolic compounds found in plants. This research evaluates the biochemical properties of some dried red fruits including their total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity. Naturally dried wild black mulberries, cornelian cherries, and rosehips, sourced from villages in the Middle Black Sea Transition Zone, were used in the study. The study measured the TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of the samples using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the results were expressed as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. Analyses of dried red fruit samples collected from four different locations showed that TPC in black mulberries ranged from 1906.73 to 2474.71 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC ranged from 164.61 to 202.75 μg QE g⁻¹. Similarly, in cornelian cherries, TPC ranged from 1597.58 to 1752.48 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC varied between 122.02 and 171.88 μg QE g⁻¹. In rosehips, TPC ranged from 1869.48 to 2332.88 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC varied between 142.56 and 199.61 μg QE g⁻¹. The IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity were determined to be in the ranges of 51.08-103.21 μg mL⁻¹ for black mulberry, 110.64-180.20 μg mL⁻¹ for cornelian cherry, and 100.01-162.09 μg mL⁻¹ for rosehip samples. Dried black mulberry, cornelian cherry, and rosehip are rich in bioactive compounds and offer significant health benefits due to their strong antioxidant properties. This research emphasizes the nutritional benefits of dried red fruits, especially their antioxidant properties, providing valuable insights for consumers and the food industry.