Comparison of the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of Korean black raspberry, Bokbunja, (Rubus coreanus Miquel) with those of six other berries

Abstract

Bokbunja (Rubus coreanus Miquel) and six other berries were analyzed for physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activities, using four different methods (DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, and reducing power). The total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents of bokbunja were significantly higher than those of other berries, followed by mulberry, blackberry, cranberry, raspberry, wild strawberry, and strawberry. Antioxidant activity assays also showed that bokbunja’s antioxidant activity exceeded that of the other berries. Bokbunja had not only significantly higher levels of kaempferol, quercetin, and ellagic acid but also the highest ellagic acid content (408.57 mg kg−1 fresh weight). The potential antioxidant activities of bokbunja might be ascribed to its high total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents. Ellagic acid may also affect antioxidant activity, although the concentrations of other phenolic compounds such as kaempferol, quercetin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside were high in other berries such as blackberry, cranberry, and mulberry.

Keywords

• Bokbunja
• berries
• phenolic compounds
• antioxidant activity
• ellagic acid