STABILITY OF ANTHOCYANINS, PHENOLS AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY THROUGH SUGAR ADDITION DURING FROZEN STORAGE OF BLACKBERRIES

ABSTRACT Influence of sugar and mixtures of sugar on color retention of two varieties of blackberries, Thornfree and Cacanska bestrna, were investigated during storage at −18C for 12 months. After harvest, blackberries were coated with sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) and different sugar (sucrose + fructose + glucose, fructose + glucose, fructose + sucrose) mixtures. Anthocynin content, total phenol content and free radical scavenging activity of prepared samples were evaluated. Ratio of fruit : sugar was 1:1. The highest anthocyanin retention was in blackberry samples with glucose addition and the lowest in samples with sucrose addition, in both cultivars. Blackberry samples with sucrose addition had even lower retention than samples without sugar addition. Samples with an addition of other sugars had higher retention of anthocyanin than samples stored without sugars. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Possibility of phenols retention of blackberries due to sugar addition, during cold storage was investigated. Results showed that glucose had the most positive effect on anthocyanins retention as well as total phenolic compounds content. For that reason, certain amount of sucrose in fruit preserves can be replaced by addition of glucose, and for that reason retention of phenolic compounds can be higher and, as could be expected, more effective against oxidative stress in human body due to intake of product formulation with glucose.