Relationship between Fruit Size and Extractable Anthocyanin Content in Cranberry

Abstract

The relationship between fruit size and extractable anthocyanins was investigated in 6 cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) cultivars: Franklin, Ben Lear, Early Black, Crowley, Stevens, and Pilgrim. Extractable anthocyanins decreased linearly as fruit size, measured by fruit weight, of the sample increased. The relationship was especially apparent for dark-colored cultivars and the dark-colored berries within a cultivar. Results suggest that fruit size can contribute to the disparity between fruit color and extractable anthocyanins, and selection for larger-berried genotypes to increase yields may, concommitantly, reduce anthocyanin yield.