Variation in Anthocyanins in Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and Implications for Human Health and Genetics Research

Abstract:

This study was conducted to characterize phytochemicals with human health benefits in a range of varieties and populations of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.).  A total of 200 genotypes which had been bearing blueberry fruit for  3 years were established  in Piedmont Research Station, Salisbury N.C.  These genotypes represented multiple ploidy levels of bluberry species including V. elliottii, V. pallidum, V. virgatum, V. tenellum, V. corymbosum, and V. stamineum .  Cultivars included O’Neal, Arlen, Sampson, Legacy, and Pamlico, and several-interspecific crosses.  Samples (200 g, ripe fruits) were harvested in July 2009 when 75% of the fruits had changed color.  A representative sample of 20 g frozen fruits for each genotype was extracted and profiled for anthocyanins.  The assayed blueberries mainly contained 17 major anthocyanins, and included glycosidic forms of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin, and malvidin.  Significant variation in anthocyanin profile and concentration was found among blueberry genotypes.  Total anthocyanins in fresh fruits ranged from 1.2mg/g to 2.8mg/g.  However, although some genotypes contained similar anthocyanin concentrations, the detailed HPLC-MS analysis revealed different profiles in the number and type of anthocyanins accumulated in each genotype.  The implications for bioactivity testing for human chronic diseases and the gene or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovery and application into the molecular genetics and breeding for lines with specific anthocyanin profiles are discussed.