Color and Composition of Highbush Blueberry Cultivars

Abstract

The anthocyanin content of ripe berry samples of 11 cultivars of highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosurn L.) varied over a 3-fold range. HPLC separation of individual anthocyanins in blueberry samples revealed 3 distinct anthocyanin patterns. Visible absorption spectra of aqueous berry extracts reflected differences in anthocyanin concentration and pH, the latter especially being evident with the more acidic berries of ‘Coville’ and ‘Elliott’. Tristimulus reflectance measurements made on whole berries correlated with visual assessment of waxy bloom but not with anthocyanin content, anthocyanin pattern, or juice pH. SEM examination revealed 2 different surface structures in samples exhibiting bloom. Tristimulus parameters for blueberry juice were dependent on anthocyanin concentration, pH, and the occurrence of browning, but not on the pattern of individual anthocyanins.