Some Quality Properties, Mineral and Heavy Metal Composition of Wild Fruit Traditional Marmalades

In this research, some physicochemical and microbiological characteristics and mineral compositions of marmalades produced by traditional method using Berberis integerrima Bunge (purple barberry), Berberis vulgaris L. (pink barberry), Rosa pimpinellifolia L. (black rosehip), Rosa canina L. (pink rosehip), Malus sylvestris Miller (sour apple), and Vaccinium corymbosum L. (blueberry) wild fruit naturally grown in Bayburt and Trabzon provinces were determined. As a result of the research; pH 2.56-4.18, titration acidity (in terms of citric acid) 0.62-3.40%, dry matter 53.65-64.90%, water soluble dry matter 52.28-64.53%, water activity 0.818-0.894 and HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural) were detected in the range of 5.81-53.40 mg/kg. As a result of microbiological analysis, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliform group bacteria and yeast-mold were not detected in any of the samples. In the marmalade samples, the macro minerals Ca, K, P and Mg are ranged from 23.56-425.12 mg/kg, 1275.74-5918.10 mg/kg, 21.98-921.26 mg/kg and 125.50-776.23 mg/kg, respectively. Of the micro-minerals Fe 4034.85-22346.74 µg/kg, Mn 531.63-15065.91 µg/kg, Zn 345.40-6250.76 µg/kg, B 2872.99-7300.37 µg/kg, and Ba were found between 689.31-6455.24 µg/kg. The results of heavy metal analysis showed that marmalade samples were within reliable limits. It is concluded that these fruits, which are not usually consumed as table, but have rich mineral composition, characteristic taste and pleasant aroma, can be evaluated in marmalade production. In the years when the yields of wild fruits are high, it can be processed into products with long shelf life such as jam and marmalade and converted into added value can contribute to the regional economy.