The purpose of the present study is to establish the biochemical content of white and black mulberry fruits grown in the South West and West Region of Romania (Gorj County and Timis County). The mulberry belongs to the Morus genus of the Moraceae family. Knowing the composition of mulberry fruits is an useful task, especially to find new sources of natural antioxidants. Berry fruits are rich source in bioactive compounds with health human body benefits. Mulberries have recently gained an important position in the food industry due to the presence of many bioactive componentsThis study investigated fruit weight, total soluble solids content, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total polyphenols content (TPC). In black mulberry fruits (Morus nigra) were observed the highest value of the total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. Antioxidant capacity can be an effect of the interaction between the colour and the location (place of origin) of fruits. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the total polyphenols content (TPC) were analysed by using the spectrophotometric method. Total antioxidant capacity was determinated used CUPRAC method. Folin Ciocalteu method was used for determination total polyphenols content.From our study, total soluble solids (TSS) values were of 15 % (Morus nigra) to 21 % (Morus alba), mulberries are a rich source of phenolics, with high levels in Morus nigra (0.78 mM GAE/100 g) and low content in Morus alba (0.165 mM GAE/100 g). Differences from content of phenolic content in the fruits depend on many factors, such as genetic differences, the maturity degree at harvest, and environmental conditions during fruit development.Our results indicate that the studied mulberry fruits are valuable products due to their rich content in different compounds with antioxidant activity. Therefore, these fruits can be useful in a balanced diet. This study also brings many arguments for the use of these fruits as potentially healthy foods and their use in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

mulberry, antioxidant, CUPRAC method, total polyphenols

biology

Presentation: poster