Evaluation of morphological peculiarities, amount of total phenolics and anthocyanins in berries of European cranberry (Oxycoccus palustris)

Abstract

The clones with different size, shape and colouration of a berry (Oxycoccus palustris [Vaccinium oxycoccus]) were selected in the strictly protected areas Cepkeliai and Zuvintas, Lithuania. They were propagated and evaluated under ex situ conditions in the field collection of Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University. The assessment of the average berry weight showed a high variability. Most of the clones investigated fall into the medium-sized group (average berry weight from 0.6 to 1.0 g). The high variability of total amounts of phenolics and athocyanins in the berries was detected. The clones of European cranberry on average accumulated 98.6 mg/100 g of anthocyanins and 365 mg/100 g of phenolics. Small and dark red berries accumulated the largest amounts of anthocyanins. The clones with the largest amounts of these compounds were selected for the permanent preservation ex situ in the collection at Kaunas Botanical Garden.