Total Phenol Content and Antimicrobial Activity of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) from Several Areas in the Eastern Carpathians

Abstract

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity and the total phenol content of Vaccinium vitis idaea L. berry fruit from five different localities with distinct growth sites in the Eastern Carpathians. The antibacterial effect of lingonberry was studied on nine selected Gram-positive and negative, foodborne, illness causing and spoilage bacteria. The total phenol content was estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The present results showed stronger antibacterial effect of lingonberry on Gram-negative bacteria, especially on Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The total phenol content varied between 3.72 and 2.1 mM GAE/ml. As data suggested, Vaccinium vitis-idaea fruits originating from different geographic regions and environment, differ from each other in terms of bioactive compound quantity and activity. In the selection of new perspective cultivars of lingonberry, the geographical origin of fruits must be considered. Two Step Cluster analysis detected relatively well supported relationship between samples provided from similar growth sites. Correlation analysis showed no correlation between altitude, phenol content and antimicrobial activity.