Black Raspberry Fruit Composition from Seedling Populations Planted at Multiple Locations

As part of a USDA NIFA-SCRI grant, black raspberry seedlings were planted in multiple locations in the U.S. to establish suitable germplasm for expanded processed and fresh market production. Fruit were harvested from Ohio, New York, Oregon and North Carolina.  Total anthocyanin, phenolic content, soluble solids, and titratable acidity were determined for 72 sets of seedlings from the four locations. Soluble solids content ranged from 9.2% to 10.8% and titratable acidity from 0.93% to 1.30% malic acid. Total anthocyanins ranged from 330 to 610 mg/100 g cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents and 315 to 364 mg/100 g gallic acid equivalents. Fruit from New York were higher in total anthocyanin and phenolic content than those from North Carolina or Ohio.  North Carolina fruit averaged 46.2% glucose, 53.5% fructose, and 0.3% sucrose. Data from this first harvest year had a strong negative correlation of acidity to total anthocyanin and phenolic content. Fruit from the Oregon location were consistently less acid and higher in total anthocyanin and phenolic content than those from the other locations.