Chemical Composition and Quality of Cultivated and Natural Blueberry Fruit in Estonia

Nutrition studies suggest that blueberries help keep us healthy and these possible health benefits may be due to the antioxidant capacity as well as other natural compounds in blueberry fruit. Different taxa of Vaccinium species (Bilberry - Vaccinium myrtillus L.; lowbush blueberry - Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.; half-highbush blueberry - Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium ‘Northblue’ and ‘Northcountry’) were analyzed for surface color, size, sugars, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fat, protein, vitamins and anthocyanin content. The blueberry fruit were harvested from three commercial blueberry plantations and from one natural habitat in 2003. The fruit of V. angustifolium were collected from two different areas: one plantation was located on mineral soil and the other on peat soil (abandoned peat pits). The anthocyanin content ranged from 125 to 405 mg·100 g^-1 of fresh berry in different species and cultivars. Half-highbush blueberry ‘Northblue’ had the largest berry size but ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents were low. V. myrtillus had the lowest total energy value, but the highest anthocyanin content. Glucose and fructose content was higher in fruit of V. angustifolium compared with the other species. The soil type (mineral or peat soil) did not affect anthocyanin and ascorbic acid content of V. angustifolium fruit but titratable acids and moisture content was higher in fruit of V. angustifolium grown on peat soil, compared with mineral soil.