Effect of agricultural practices, conventional vs organic, on the phytochemical composition of ‘Kweli’ and ‘Tulameen’ raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)

• Published in: Food chemistry 2020-10, Vol.328, p.126833-126833, Article 126833
• Main Authors: Anjos, Rosário, Cosme, Fernanda, Gonçalves, Andreia, Nunes, Fernando M., Vilela, Alice, Pinto, Teresa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practice; Cultivar; Ellagitannin; Phenolic profile; Red raspberries chemical composition
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126833

•Effect of agricultural practice on raspberry phytochemical composition was studied.•Raspberry phytochemical composition depends on the cultivar and agricultural practice.•Polyphenols increased for the ‘Kweli’ cultivar under organic agricultural practice.•Polyphenols decreased for the ‘Tulameen’ cultivar under organic agricultural practice. Raspberries are rich in polyphenols but the impact of organic versus conventional agricultural practices on their phytochemical composition is not well known. This study aimed to analyse and compare the polyphenol accumulation in raspberries grown under both agricultural practices in the same edaphoclimatic conditions. Two raspberry cultivars ‘Kweli’ and ‘Tulameen’ were used. Under organic agricultural practices, the polyphenols levels increased for the ‘Kweli’ cultivar but decreased for the ‘Tulameen’ cultivar. ‘Tulameen’ cultivar grown under conventional agricultural practices contained higher anthocyanins levels than grown under organic agricultural practices while for the ‘Kweli’ cultivar no significant differences were observed between the two agricultural practices. ‘Kweli’ cultivar presented a significantly higher amount of ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives when compared to the ‘Tulameen’ cultivar under both agricultural practices. The effect of the agricultural practices on the raspberries’ chemical profile was dependent on the cultivar and cannot be generalised.