Fruit quality and bioactive compounds relevant to human health of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars grown in Italy

The fruit quality characteristics, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of 24 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars grown on the mountainsides of the Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy) were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatographic methods were used to identify and quantify sugars, organic acids and phenolics. A total of seven phenolic compounds were characterised as hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (neochlorogenic acid, p-coumaroylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid) and anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside and peonidin 3-rutinoside). The total anthocyanin content ranged from 6.21 to 94.20 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents/100 g fresh weight (FW), while the total phenol content ranged from 84.96 to 162.21 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g FW. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay indicated that fruit of all genotypes possessed considerable antioxidant activity. The high level of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of some sweet cherry fruits implied that they might be sources of bioactive compounds that are relevant to human health.     

Chemical characterization and antioxidant capacity of berries from Clidemia rubra (Aubl.) Mart. (Melastomataceae)

The flora of Latin America attracts gaining interest as it provides a plethora of still unexplored or under-utilized fruits that can contribute to human well-being due to their nutritional value and their content of bioactive compounds. Clidemia rubra (Aubl.) Mart. is a shrub belonging to the family of the Melastomataceae that grows preferably in a tropical climate. This paper comprises a nutritional characterization of the berries from Clidemia rubra and provides data on the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant capacity of the fruit. Findings in macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat were comparable to that of common berry fruits. Clidemia rubra berries seemed to be a good source for dietary fibers and some minerals (Ca, Mn, and Zn). In contrast, contents of titratable acids and ascorbic acid were low. The polyphenolic profile was determined by using HPLC-MS/MS in comparison to standard compounds. Noteworthy amounts of cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (39.43 ± 1.66 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW)), delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside (23.74 ± 1.18 mg/100 g FW), cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (11.68 ± 0.56 mg/100 g FW), and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside (6.08 ± 0.35 mg/100 g FW) were found. Non-anthocyanin phenolic constituents were phenolic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxy-benzoic, vanillic, and caffeic acid), flavan-3-ols (epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate), and 11 different myricetin and quercetin derivatives of which quercetin 3-O-arabinoside (5.26 ± 0.16 mg/100 g FW) and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (5.06 ± 0.08 mg/100 g FW) were dominating. Anthocyanins and ascorbic acid were mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of Clidemia rubra berries assessed with the total oxidant scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay.     

Chemical composition,anthocyanins, non-anthocyanin phenolics and antioxidant activity of wild bilberry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) from Colombia

Berries of Vaccinium meridionale Swartz native to Colombia were analysed for chemical composition, total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC–DAD) and HPLC-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI–MS/MS) were used to determine anthocyanin and phenolic composition. Anthocyanin content was 329.0 ± 28.0 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents/100 g (fresh weight) FW and total phenolic content was 758.6 ± 62.3 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g FW. Cyanidin 3-galactoside was the major anthocyanin while the most abundant non-anthocyanin phenolic was chlorogenic acid.     

Major anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of Nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus)

Major anthocyanins, ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content, and the radical scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals in petals of orange Nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus), were investigated. Anthocyanin (ACN) content in the petals was 72 mg/100 g FW and pelargonidin 3-sophoroside represented 91% of the total ACN content. The ascorbic acid content was 71.5 mg/100 g and the total phenolic content as determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method was 406 mg GAE/100 g FW. The radical scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 458 and 91.87 μm trolox eq/g FW, respectively. The excellent free radical scavenging activities along with high phenolic and ascorbic acid content of Nasturtium flowers suggest that they could be source of natural pigments and antioxidants for applications in functional foods.     

European elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) rich in sugars,organic acids,anthocyanins and selected polyphenols

Sugars and organic acids in the fruit of two cultivars and three selections of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): ‘Haschberg’, ‘Rubini’, ‘Selection 13’, ‘Selection 14’ and ‘Selection 25’ were quantified. The anthocyanin as well as quercetin profiles of this plant material were also established by the use of HPLC/MS. Significant differences in the concentration of sugars and organic acids were detected between the widely spread cultivar ‘Haschberg’ and all other cultivars/selections; ‘Haschberg’ was the richest in organic acids (6.38 g kg⁻¹ FW), and it contained the least sugar (68.5 g kg⁻¹ FW). The following major cyanidin based anthocyanins were identified in the fruit of black elderberry: cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside, cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside. The most abundant anthocyanin in elderberry fruit was cyanidin 3-sambubioside, which accounted for more than half of all anthocyanins identified in the berries. The ‘Rubini’ cultivar had the highest amount of the anthocyanins identified (1265 mg/100 g FW) and the lowest amount was measured in berries of the ‘Selection 14’ (603 mg/100 g FW). The ‘Haschberg’ cultivar contained a relatively low amount of anthocyanins in ripe berries (737 mg/100 g FW). From the quercetin group, quercetin, quercetin 3-rutinoside and quercetin 3-glucoside were identified; the latter prevailing in black elderberry fruit. The cultivar with the highest amount of total quercetins was ‘Selection 25’ (73.4 mg/100 g FW), while the ‘Haschberg’ cultivar contained average amounts of quercetins (61.3 mg/100 g FW). The chemical composition of the ‘Haschberg’ cultivar, the most commonly planted, conforms to the standards for sugars, anthocyanins and quercetins and exceeds them in the content levels of organic acids, the most important parameter in fruit processing.     

Analysis of Phenolic Composition of Noble Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) by HPLC‐MS and the Relationship to Its Antioxidant Capacity

Abstract: Phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in muscadines have attracted much attention due to their diverse biological activities. With bioassays of antioxidant activities in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), total procyanidin content (TPA), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of different parts of the Noble muscadine, the butanol (BuOH) extract of the muscadine skin showed the highest TPC (317.91 ± 1.83 mg GAE/100 g FW), which might be ascribed to its high TAC of 227.06 ± 1.29 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW). The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the muscadine seed contained the highest TPA (55.30 ± 0.63 mg CE/100 g FW). Correlation analyses demonstrated a significant linear relationship of TPC and TAC compared to their ORAC and FRAP values within the range of R² from 0.9283 to 0.9936, which suggested that phenolics and anthocyanins in the extracts contributed significantly to their antioxidant potential. Nineteen individual phenolics and 5 anthocyanins were identified by HPLC‐MS, which indicated different chemical profiles of anthocyanins and other phenolics in the muscadine extracts. Practical Application: The paper has provided rich information of bioactive phytochemical profiles in different solvent extracts and their correlation with the antioxidant activity in the muscadine that is a very special regional fruit in U.S. Its high content of phenolic compounds demonstrates that muscadine could be beneficial to human health.     

Liaison of phenolic acids and biological activity of escalating cultivars of Daucus carota

The objective of the present study was to analyze and compare the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacities of new lines of Dacus carota. The selected cultivars showed high variation in the contents of total phenolics (30.26–65.39 mg/100 g FW) and total ascorbic acid (41.12–58.36 mg/100 g FW). Analysis on RP-HPLC revealed that hydroxycinnamic acids and its derivatives were major phenolic compounds present in D. carota extracts, whereas 5-caffeolquinic acid was a major hydroxycinnamic acid (ranged from 30.26 to 65.39 mg/100 g FW). DCP cultivar showed high total antioxidant capacity (77.69 mg/100 g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity (52.36 mg/100 g), superoxide radical scavenging capacity (53.69 mg/100 g), and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (51.91 mg/100 g). A linear relationship was found between total phenolic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. Both phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities varied significantly (ρ < 0.05) among cultivars. DCP cultivar was found to be a rich source of phenolics and ascorbic acid with high antioxidant activity.     

Variability and the genotypic effect on antioxidant activity,total phenolics,carotenoids and ascorbic acid content in seventeen natural population of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) from trans-Himalaya

Seventeen natural population of Seabuckthorn (SBT), which comprised 187 plants from trans-Himalaya, were studied to find out variability and genotypic effect on total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ascorbic acid and carotenoids content in fruit pulp. The fruits were found to be rich in TPC ranging from 964 to 10,704 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g. The free radical-scavenging activity in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) ranged from 0.7 to 9.1 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) from 180 to 1355 FeSO₄·7H₂O μg/ml. The ascorbic acid and carotenoids content ranged from 56 to 3909 mg/100 g and 0.1–14.4 mg/100 g, respectively. A variation of 1–11 fold in TPC, 1–14 folds in IC₅₀ by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 1–8 fold in ferric reducing antioxidant potential, 1–70 fold in ascorbic acid content and 1–206 fold in carotenoid content among the examined fruit across 17 populations underlines the important role played by genetic background and the geographical location for determining the health promoting compounds. Significant correlation was observed between TPC, IC₅₀, FRAP, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, fruit lightness (L*) and plant height. Among the 20 morphological traits studied, fruit colour and plant height showed positive correlation with the health promoting compounds.     

Identification of anthocyanin pigments in strawberry (cv Camarosa) by LC using DAD and ESI-MS detection

New high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) conditions were developed for the separation of strawberry anthocyanins that provided a good resolution of peaks at a low flow rate compatible with the requirements of the mass spectrometry (MS) detector. A strawberry extract was fractionated by column chromatography and simple fractions containing basically anthocyanins were obtained, making their analysis by HPLC possible using on-line photodiode array detection and MS. Information on the identity of the major and some secondary anthocyanins in strawberry was obtained from their retention characteristics, UV-visible spectra and mass spectra. The presence in strawberry of the previously reported cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside and pelargonidin 3-acetylglucoside was confirmed and cyanidin 3-rutinoside was identified in strawberry for the first time. Furthermore, cyanidin 3-malonyldiglucoside, pelargonidin 3-malylglucoside, a pelargonidin bioside and two possible pelargonidin 3-biosides acylated with acetic acid were also tentatively assigned.     

Characterization of a new anthocyanin in black raspberries (Rubus occidentalis) by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Anthocyanin composition of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array (PDA) detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Pelargonidin 3-rutinoside was isolated and identified in black raspberries using HPLC, UV–Vis spectroscopy, MS, and NMR spectroscopy. No pelargonidin derivative had been previously found in Rubus occidentalis. In addition, the presence and identities of four previously reported anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-xylosylrutinoside) were confirmed by HPLC/MS and MS/MS analyses.     

Antioxidant capacity, phenolic content and vitamin C in pulp, peel and seed from 24 exotic fruits from Colombia

Twenty-four exotic Colombian fruits were evaluated for antioxidant activity and total soluble phenolics (TP) (edible part, seed and peel) and ascorbic acid content (edible part). The antioxidant activities were evaluated by ABTS (free radical-scavenging capacity) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. The ABTS, FRAP, TP and ascorbic acid values in the edible part were 3.25 to 175 ??M Trolox equiv/g fresh weight (FW), 6.29 to 144 ??M Trolox equiv/g FW, 15.7 to 1018 mg gallic acid equiv/100 g FW, and 0.53 to 257 mg ascorbic acid/100 g FW respectively. There were positive correlations between antioxidant activity (assessed by both ABTS and FRAP) and TP and ascorbic acid with the FRAP and ABTS methods. The edible part of banana passion fruits (P. tarminiana and P. mollisima) exhibited the highest values of antioxidant activity and total phenolics, while the highest level of ascorbic acid was recorded in the edible part of guava apple and cashew. The seeds with the highest values of antioxidant activity and total phenols were cashew, algarrobo, arazá and coastal sapote, while the peel of coastal sapote and algarrobo had the highest values of antioxidant activity and total phenolics. To the best of our knowledge, this paper reports the first evaluation of pulp, seed and skin of Colombian tropical fruits with a view to their knowledge utilization for the development of novel functional food products.     

Sugars,organic acids,phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Sugars, organic acids, phenolics and anthocyanins in fruits of 13 sweet cherry cultivars: Badascony, Burlat, Early Van Compact, Fercer, Fernier, Ferprime, Lala Star, Lapins, Noire de Meched, Sylvia, Vesseaux, Vigred (red-coloured) and Ferrador (bi-coloured) were quantified by HPLC. Sweet cherry cultivars of different pomological characteristics and different time of ripening were evaluated sensorily. Cultivars were evaluated for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The sum of sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol) ranged from 125 to 265 g/kg fresh weight (FW) and the sum of organic acids (malic, citric, shikimic and fumaric) ranged from 3.67 to 8.66 g/kg FW. Total phenolic content ranged from 44.3 to 87.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g FW and antioxidant activity ranged from 8.0 to 17.2 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity mg/100 g FW. The correlation of antioxidant activity with total phenolics content and content of anthocyanins was cultivar dependent.     

Organic acids,antioxidant capacity,phenolic content and lipid characterisation of Georgia-grown underutilized fruit crops

Four underutilized Georgia-grown fruit crops, namely loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), mayhaw (Crataegus sp.), fig (Ficus carica), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and their leaves were analysed for total polyphenols by Folin–Ciocalteau method, and antioxidant capacity by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Organic acids and phenolic compounds were identified by RP-HPLC. For lipid profile, fruits were separated into two fractions – seed and fruit (i.e., without seed); lipid was extracted using the Folch method and analysed for fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. The major organic acid identified in all samples was malic acid (177–1918 mg/100 g FW). The predominant phenolic acids in all the fruits were gallic (1.5–6.4 mg/100 g FW) and ellagic (0.2–33.8 mg/100 g FW), and the most abundant flavonoid was catechin (12.2–37.8 mg/100 g FW). Total lipid content varied from 0.1% in mayhaw fruit to 21.5% in pawpaw seed. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in all of the samples (28.2–55.7%).     

Phenolic Profiles,Antioxidant Activities,and Neuroprotective Properties of Mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) Fruit Extracts from Different Ripening Stages

The present work investigated the phenolic profiles (including nonanthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolics), antioxidant activities, and neuroprotective potential of mulberry fruit (MF) (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) grown in China at different ripening stages. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC‐MS/MS) was used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total monomeric anthocyanin content (TAC) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The neuroprotective effects of MFs at different ripening stages were investigated using Aβ_25‐35‐treated PC12 cells as the cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. Of the 19 phenolic compounds characterized from the MF extracts, the contents of rutin and anthocyanins increased and that of chlorogenic acid decreased significantly with maturity. At the fully ripened stage, MF extracts showed the highest amounts of TPC (11.23 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fresh weight), TFC (15.1 mg rutin equivalents/g fresh weight), and TAC (1177 mg cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside equivalents/100 g fresh weight). Meanwhile, antioxidant activity of MF extracts at this stage was highest according to ABTS (an IC50 value of 4.11 μg/mL) and DPPH (an IC50 value of 10.08 μg/mL) assays. Cellular assays revealed increased cell viability in cells treated with the ripe MF extracts; compared with the control groups, the ripening fruits also increased the antioxidant enzyme levels in PC12 cells. Together, these results suggest that the antioxidant activities and neuroprotective properties of ripening MFs are related to the contents and types of phenolic compounds that are present in the fruits.     

Changes in bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut cashew apple

In this study, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins of fresh-cut cashew apple were quantified. Antioxidant capacity was determined in whole juice and in polyphenols extracts by three methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ??-carotene bleaching. Effect of cutting and storage for 24 h at 2 °C, 27 °C and 40 °C on these compounds were also evaluated. Cashew apple presented 163 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of fresh weight (FW). Soluble and hydrolysable polyphenols contents were 12.79 mg GAE/100 g FW and 18.53 mg GAE/100 g FW and proanthocyanidins were 9.27 mg/100 g FW. Antioxidant capacity of juice and polyphenols extract was high for DPPH method. Storage temperatures affected bioactive compounds on cut cashew apple. The content of ascorbic acid decreased in all temperatures. Proanthocyanidins were more sensitive to 40 °C than to other temperatures. The content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of juice by DPPH assay did not change. However, the reducing power was lower in samples kept at high temperatures. A strong positive correlation between ascorbic acid and FRAP (r = 0.99) and a negative correlation between DPPH and FRAP (r = − 0.79) were observed. No correlations were found between polyphenols and antioxidant capacity indicating the importance of phenolic composition in the extracts. The results confirm the importance of temperature and injury on the quality of cashew apple.     

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SOY ENRICHED APPLE BAR

Antioxidant activity of a soy enriched apple bar (SEAB) prepared from the pulp of culled apples and soy protein isolate (3%) was determined using a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The antioxidant activity was 8500 μM g⁻¹ FRAP and phenol content was 175 mg 100 g⁻¹. The soy enriched apple bar had 20 fold protein and 1.6 fold higher antioxidant activity than the plain apple bar. No significant change in antioxidant activity and total phenols was recorded during storage at ambient (22–31C) or low (4±1C) temperatures. The pectin, protein and ascorbic acid contents decreased while nonenzymatic browning and total sugars increased significantly with increase in storage periods. The product was organoleptically acceptable and microbiologically safe after 180 days of storage. A shelf stable soy enriched apple bar with high antioxidant activity, phenol content and sensorial quality can be an ideal source of dietary antioxidants.     

Anthocyanin and phenolic characterization,chemical composition and antioxidant activity of chagalapoli (Ardisia compressa K.) fruit: A tropical source of natural pigments

Chagalapoli (Ardisia compressa K.) is a tropical fruit of deep purple color with a high content of pigments. Anthocyanins, polyphenol composition, antioxidant activity and physicochemical characteristics of chagalapoli fruits (CF) are analyzed. The proximal and mineral composition is similar to that found in common berries (strawberry, blackberry and blueberry). A high content of total phenolics (1051.3 ± 43.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents/100 g of FW) is present, among which anthocyanins predominated (796.0 ± 2.3 mg of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents/100 g FW). Twelve anthocyanins were separated and ten of them identified by HPLC–DAD–MS. The main anthocyanins were malvidin-3-O-galactoside (35%), delphinidin 3-O-galactoside (28%) and petunidin 3-O-galactoside (19%). Other polyphenols identified included: flavonols, flavan-3-ols (catechin and proantocyanidin dimers) and hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives. The antioxidant activity of CF was 40% higher than that found in common berries, which were simultaneously analyzed. The high content of anthocyanins in CF and its peculiar anthocyanin profile make this under-utilized fruit a promising source of pigments and phenolic nutraceuticals.     

黑色小扁豆中不同结合态酚类含量、花青素组成及其抗氧化活性研究

黑色小扁豆因含有丰富的营养素、微量营养素和植物化学物成分而受到研究者的关注。为深入了解小扁豆的营养价值,对小扁豆中不同结合形态的酚类化合物含量及其抗氧化活性(亚铁离子还原能力、DPPH自由基清除能力、ABTS自由基清除能力)进行测定。结果表明,黑色小扁豆中不同存在形式的酚类提取物含量差异显著。酯键合态酚类提取物中含有较高的酚酸含量(1.61 mg/g),碱水解结合态酚类提取物具有较高的黄酮含量(1.07 mg/g)及抗氧化活性【亚铁离子还原能力(43.80 mmol/g)、DPPH自由基清除能力(2.13 mg/g)、ABTS清除能力(3.92 mg/g)】。对黑色小扁豆中存在的花青素进行提取和分析鉴定,其含有的花青素主要为飞燕草-3-O-(2-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷)和矢车菊素衍生物。     

华中地区不同品种树莓果实成熟过程中特征活性物质的变化

以华中地区四种不同成熟阶段的树莓果实为研究对象,采用分光光度法测定其总酚含量、总花色苷含量和超氧化物歧化酶活性;采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪鉴定其酚类物质,并用液相色谱仪对其绝对含量进行定量。研究结果表明,随着树莓果实的成熟,四种树莓果实中总酚的含量均呈下降趋势,与此同时,其总花色苷的含量均呈上升趋势。美22树莓果实的总酚含量（31.94 mg/g FW）和总花色苷含量（1.31 mg/g FW）均是四种树莓果实中最高的。四种树莓果实中共鉴定出9种酚类物质,5种花色苷类酚类物质和4种非花色苷类酚类物质,矢车菊素3-O-槐糖苷和矢车菊素3-O-葡萄糖苷为主要的花色苷类酚类物质;Lambertianin C和地榆素H-6为主要的非花色苷类酚类物质。此外,四种树莓果实中超氧化物歧化酶的活性呈下降趋势,其中天门三号树莓果实超氧化物歧化酶活性降低最多（37%）。该研究为华中地区树莓果实的开发利用提供基础数据。     

Biochemical Characterization of Dovyalis hebecarpa Fruits: A Source of Anthocyanins with High Antioxidant Capacity

Dovyalis hebecarpa, which is also known as the Ceylon gooseberry, is an attractive exotic purple berry that is produced in the southwest of Brazil with high yields. Current literature lacks information about the nutritional composition and antioxidant capacity of this fruit. As such, this work aimed to evaluate and compare the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant capacity of D. hebecarpa over two seasons through the application of a range of different methods, including FRAP, ABTS, and ORAC assays. The proximate composition and biometric parameters were monitored for quality purposes. The results significantly changed between seasons in accordance with variations in rain incidence and average temperatures. The Ceylon gooseberry contained a similar or higher content of anthocyanins (ACY) than other berries commonly consumed in human diet. These ACY were identified at higher levels in the fruit's skin (284 to 351 mg of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalents/100 g of fresh weight [FW]) than in its pulp (49 to 69 mg/100 g of FW). The use of an ORAC assay identified higher antioxidant activity (145 μmol of Trolox equivalents [TE]/g in the skins and 179 μmol of TE/g in the pulp on a FW basis) than all other methods used to determine antioxidant activity. Thus, D. hebecarpa is a rich source of ACY that demonstrates high antioxidant activity against the peroxyl radicals formed in ORAC assay conditions.