Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Comparing phytochemical profiles of native and cultivated blueberries (genus Vaccinium) in Central Florida.

There are five species in the Vaccinium genus native to the state of Florida but only three are palatable to humans: V. myrsinites, V. darrowii, and V. corymbosum. While V. darrowii has been studied extensively due to its successful hybridization with northern highbush blueberry cultivars, V. myrsinites and V. corymbosum (to a lesser extent) have been understudied. All three of these plants produce berries in early to mid-summer providing an abundant source of food for wildlife such as deer, birds, and bears. This study aims to quantify the abundance of various phytochemicals in fruits of these blueberry species and compare fruit quality among the wild fruit and to two varieties of cultivated blueberries (V. corymbosum). Wild berries were collected from seven different sites across Central Florida and cultivated berries were collected from a local blueberry farm. A portion of the berries were dried, and the rest were frozen for later chemical analysis. Chemical analyses scored for water content, titratable acidity, sugar content, vitamin content, phenolic content, and anthocyanin content. Future research will involve a similar comparative analysis of the volatile flavor compounds that contribute to the distinctive blueberry flavor using the GC-MS dynamic headspace method. This research can inform breeding initiatives that aim to utilize Florida native blueberries to develop more region-specific cultivars.

1 - University Of Central Florida, Department Of Biology, 4110 Libra Dr, Orlando, FL, 32816, United States

Keywords:
blueberries
Vaccinium
Florida
phytochemistry
wild plants
phenolic compounds
Anthocyanins.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Number: PRT003
Abstract ID:1300
Candidate for Awards:None