Work

Comparison of novel blueberry cultivars (Vaccinum corymbosum L.) from southwest Spain as potential sources of dual-function bioactive food colorants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Four novel Vaccinum corymbosum L. cultivars (Cupla, BlueManila, Star and Ventura) grown in southwest Spain were compared as sources of red-bluish antioxidant colorants The phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, color expression and stability against pH (2-6) of extracted anthocyanins from their skins were analyzed. Ventura and BlueManila yielded the highest anthocyanin content and, together with Cupla, produced darker and more intense reddish colorants with higher pH stability. Star cultivar, with lower anthocyanin content but higher proportion of flavonols, produced lighter red-bluish colorants with lower stability. Based on phenolic and colorimetric data, a Linear Discriminant Analysis effectively differentiated the extracts according to the cultivar. By multiple regression models, color parameters ( L*, C* ab , h ab ) were predicted with a high correlation as a function of anthocyanin composition, grouped by aglycon or as individual sugar derivatives. Therefore, blueberry cultivar selection represents a useful strategy to obtain dual-function colorants with different composition and coloring properties.

Source: LWT

DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118127

Authors: Marcos Vázquez-González, Belén Gordillo, Francisco J. Heredia, Ignacio García-Estévez, M. Luisa Escudero-Gilete

Institutions: Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad de Salamanca

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Subfield: Biochemistry

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240