Relation between bioactive compounds and free radical‐scavenging capacity in berry fruits during frozen storage

In this work the correlation between the free radical‐scavenging capacity and bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, ellagic acid, total phenolics and vitamin C) in four Spanish raspberry cultivars (Heritage, Autumn Bliss, Zeva and Rubi) and Spanish wild blackberry as affected by freezing and frozen storage was evaluated. From this mathematical study a significant correlation was obtained between the radical‐scavenging capacity and the anthocyanin and total phenolic contents in both raspberry (r = 0.85 and 0.83 respectively) and blackberry (r = 0.84 and 0.68 respectively) fruits, but no correlation was found between this parameter and the ellagic acid and vitamin C contents. A key objective of this study was to select the raspberry cultivar most suitable for freezing preservation in terms of the stability of its health‐promoting constituents. A two‐dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) of the raspberry cultivars explained 82% of the total variance of the factors mentioned above. The early raspberry cultivars (Heritage and Autumn Bliss) showed a lower content of bioactive compounds and lower radical‐scavenging capacity, while the late cultivars (Zeva and Rubi) showed higher values, and these differences were clearly displayed by the PCA. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Freezing and Frozen Storage on Phenolic Compounds of Raspberry and Blackberry Cultivars

The phenolic compounds in raspberry and blackberry cultivars grown in Turkey were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (MS)/MS in fresh, just-frozen, and stored fruits at −22 °C for 6 months period. The major phenolic compounds in water extracted samples were ellagic acid (1,350.36–727.9 mg/kg fresh fruit), ferulic acid (820.78–338.27 mg/kg fresh fruit), caffeic acid (754.85–202.78 mg/kg fresh fruit), p-coumaric acid (361.68–142.63 mg/kg fresh fruit), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (534.20–233.29 mg/kg fresh fruit), and quercetin (46.97–27.31 mg/kg fresh fruit) in raspberry and ellagic acid (1,828.07–1,555.13 mg/kg fresh fruit), ferulic acid (757.69–413.82 mg/kg fresh fruit), caffeic acid (736.85–337.89 mg/kg fresh fruit), p-coumaric acid (877.45–287.15 mg/kg fresh fruit), and quercetin (74.69–56.78 mg/kg fresh fruit) in blackberry. The varietal differences in the phenolic compound contents were larger among the blackberry cultivars (from 1,828.07 to 56.78 mg/kg fresh fruit) than among the raspberry cultivars (1,350.36 to 27.31 mg/kg fresh fruit). A significant decrease was observed in the content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (from 534.20 to 114.30 mg/kg; Aksu Kırmızısı) and the least decrease was in the content of caffeic acid (from 545.42 to 530.91 mg/kg; Heritage) in raspberry cultivars. On the other hand, ferulic acid (from 475.16 to 113.33 mg/kg) decreased significantly in blackberry (Bursa 2) after storage for 6 months.     

鞣花酸代谢产物——尿石素的研究进展

鞣花单宁和鞣花酸是广泛分布于多种蔬菜、水果和坚果中的多酚类抗氧化剂,其在胃肠道的吸收较差,生物利用率较低,但部分会被哺乳动物肠道微生物转化为更易吸收的尿石素类代谢产物。因此,人们推测这些代谢产物可能为鞣花单宁及鞣花酸发挥生物学活性的最终物质基础。本文对近年来国内外有关尿石素化学性质和抗氧化、抗炎、抗癌以及调节肠道菌群等生物活性的研究进行综述,以期为富含鞣花单宁及鞣花酸类食品的科学利用提供借鉴。     

CHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF CULTIVATED AND WILD FRAGARIA AND RUBUS BERRIES

ABSTRACT

Content of individual sugars, organic acids, total phenolics (TPH), some important phenolic compounds (kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and ellagic acid) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the fruits of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry were studied. A comparison was made between cultivars and wild relatives of each species (Fragaria vesca L., Rubus idaeus L. and Rubus fruticosus L.). The main sugars found were fructose and glucose both in the fruits of wild species and the studied cultivars. Citric acid was determined to be the major organic acid in most of tested berries with the exception of blackberry cultivars, where malic acid was dominant. The content of individual phenolic compounds varied among the wild species, as well as among the studied cultivars. Ellagic acid content was higher in F. vesca, R. idaeus and R. fruticosus (122.5 µg/g FW, 12.71 µg/g FW and 61.7 µg/g FW, respectively) than that obtained in analyzed cultivars. Overall, TPH expressed higher values in the wild strawberry and blackberry species in comparison to the studied cultivars, and consequently, the highest levels of TAC were recorded in F. vesca (5.78 mg asc/g FW), followed by R. fruticosus (4.95 mg asc/g FW).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In recent years, both wild and cultivated berries have become very attractive for consumers because of potentially beneficial phytochemicals contained in these fruits. Fruit nutritional quality can be described by standard quality parameters (sugars and organic acids), and the analysis of antioxidant capacity influenced by specific related compounds. The importance of flavonoids and other phenolics have been suggested to play a preventive role in the development of cancer and heart disease. A significant positive correlation observed in this study between total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity indicate the need for the use of wild species in the breeding programs of small fruits, especially strawberry and blackberry, in order to increase their nutritive value and the health benefits.     

黑莓、树莓不同发育时期叶片鞣花酸与抗氧化、糖类物质的相关性分析

本研究拟在初步揭示悬钩子属浆果不同发育时期叶片中鞣花酸的变化规律。以黑莓、树莓及杂交类型共21个品种不同时期叶片为试材,用超声辅助溶剂提取法提取叶片中鞣花酸,用紫外分光光度法快速检测鞣花酸含量。在此基础上,选取其中5个品种分析评价了叶片抗氧化能力、抗氧化物质含量及糖类物质含量与鞣花酸含量的关系。结果表明,黑莓、树莓鞣花酸在嫩叶中含量较高,随着叶片的发育和衰老呈下降趋势,以黑莓‘宝森’嫩叶鞣花酸含量最高达39.622 mg/g,以树莓‘哈瑞泰兹’老叶中鞣花酸含量最低为7.649 mg/g。进而分析5个品种叶片的抗氧化能力及抗氧化物质含量,发现其与鞣花酸含量变化趋势相似,而叶片中糖类物质含量与鞣花酸含量变化呈负相关。研究结果为黑莓、树莓叶片中鞣花酸的功能研究及进一步开发利用提供部分基础理论依据。     

Potential dietary sources of ellagic acid and other antioxidants among fruits consumed in Brazil: jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg)

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the content of ellagic acid in fruits consumed by the Brazilian population, including native ones; (2) to further characterize rich sources in relation to ascorbic acid, phenolics contents and in vitro antioxidant capacity; and (3) to study the distribution and effect of ripening stage on ellagitannins content of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba). The content of free ellagic acid and ellagic acid derivatives such as ellagitannins was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Ellagic acid was detected in 10 out of a total of 35 fruits analyzed. The content of free ellagic acid in fruits varied from 0.0028 to 0.085 g kg^?1 (FW) and total ellagic acid varied from 0.215 to 3.11 g kg^?1 (FW). All the seven fruits belonging to the Myrtaceae family evaluated in this study presented high contents of ellagitannins in their composition, with jabuticaba, grumixama and cambuci (all native from Brazil) showing the highest total ellagic acid contents. Jabuticaba, the most consumed in Brazil among those and already adapted to commercial plantations, contained concentrated phenolics compounds, including ellagitannins, in the peel. Anthocyanins (cyanidin derivatives) increased significantly through ripening of jabuticaba and were not present in the pulp or seeds. Samples collected from three different locations during summer, winter and spring had total ellagic contents varying from 1.88 to 3.31 g kg^?1 (FW). The decrease in ellagic acid content with ripening was more accentuated for pulp (eight times) compared to seeds (2.3 times) and peel (2.0 times). CONCLUSION: These results showed the potential of jabuticaba as dietary source of ellagic acid and reinforced consumption of the whole fruit by the population. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Raspberry and Blackberry Cultivars

ABSTRACT: Raspberry (Aksu Kırmızısı, Rubin, Newburgh, Hollanda Boduru, Heritage) and blackberry (Bursa 1, Bursa 2, Jumbo, Chester) cultivars were assayed for antioxidant activity (determined as 2,2-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzothialozine-sulphonic acid][ABTS], 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical [DPPH], and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity [CUPRAC]), total phenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents. In addition, 10 anthocyanins and anthocyanidins were determined in raspberry and blackberry by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Raspberry and blackberry had the highest ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents in methanol extracts, whereas total anthocyanin contents were the highest in water extracts. The antioxidant activity of the raspberry and blackberry was directly related to the total amount of phenolic compounds detected in the raspberry and blackberry. All antioxidant activity values were highly correlated with anthocyanin content in blackberry (0.93 ≤ r ≤ 0.99, P = 0.05). On the other hand, high correlation between total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity was recorded in water extract of blackberry (0.91 ≤ r ≤ 0.93, P = 0.05). ABTS value was highly correlated with total flavonoid content in methanol extract (r = 0.90), whereas total flavonoid content was relatively less correlated with DPPH (r = 0.85) and CUPRAC (r = 0.89).     

Blackberry seed extracts and isolated polyphenolic compounds showing protective effect on human lymphocytes DNA

The tentative identification of seed extracts from 3 cultivars of blackberry (blackberry seed extracts [BSEs]) constituents was performed by LC/UV/MS technique. The identified compounds belonged to ellagitannins, galic acid derivatives, and ellagic acid derivatives. Two ellagitannins, Lambertianin C and Sanguiniin H-6, and an ellagic acid derivative, 4-α-L-arabinofuranosylellagic acid, were isolated using semipreparative High-performance liquid chromatography. The structure elucidations were based on high resolution-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance studies. The BSEs and 3 isolated pure compounds were tested for in vitro protective effect on chromosome aberrations in peripheral human lymphocytes using cytochalasin-B blocked micronucleus (MN) assay. The frequency of MN was scored in binucleated cells, and nuclear proliferation index was calculated. Among the tested extracts, the seeds of cv. Thornfree at concentration of 1 μg/mL exhibit the most prominent effect decreasing the frequency of MN by 62.4%, when compared with the controls cell cultures. Antioxidant potential of pure ellagitannins cannot explain the strong effect of BSEs. The assumption was that better antioxidant effect of BSEs result from synergistic effects of individual compounds contained in the extracts and/or some minor components possessed strong activity. PraCTICAL APPLICATION: Our results provide evidence of protective effects of BSEs and isolated pure compounds on cytogenetic damages in human lymphocytes. Thus, BSEs could exert beneficial effects in quite a few diseases, because many of the biological actions have been attributed to their antioxidant properties.     

Identification of Ellagic Acid in Blackberry Juice Sediment

ABSTRACT: The sediment in a commercial reconstituted 'Evergreen' blackberry ( Rubus laciniatus L.) juice concentrate was found to be composed of ellagic acid, protein, and other unidentified compounds. The qualitative tannin and protein-tannin haze test indicated that the sediment was predominantly tannin or protein-tannin complexes. Nitrogen determination showed the sediment to be 6.69%± 2.21% protein on a dry-weight basis. Almost all of the extractable material was identified as ellagic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ellagic acid content of the wet sediment was 0.05 g/100 g, whereas it was 7.41 g/100 g in freeze-dried sediment. Tannase enzyme did not significantly decrease the concentration of ellagitannins in Marion blackberry ( Rubus spp. Hyb.) juice in this study.     

Ellagic Acid Production from Biodegradation of Creosote Bush Ellagitannins by Aspergillus niger in Solid State Culture

The ability of Aspergillus niger GH1 in converting creosote bush ellagitannins into ellagic acid (EA) was evaluated in solid state culture. Creosote bush leaves were used to extract the ellagitannins fraction, which was impregnated in polyurethane foam used as support of solid state culture. Ellagitannins content, EA accumulation, and the related enzymatic activities were evaluated. A. niger GH1 was able to completely degrade creosote bush ellagitannins with an EA yield of 23.1% at 36 h of culture. The ability to degrade creosote bush ellagitannins exhibited by A. niger GH1 was clearly associated to an ellagitannin-hydrolysing enzyme with a maximum activity of 43 U/l, while that ability was not associated to tannase activity that was detected in the culture extract. This study demonstrated the great ability of A. niger GH1 to hydrolyze ellagitannins and the potential of solid state culture to produce the antioxidant EA by degradation of creosote bush ellagitannins.     

Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichus Schltdl.) during three edible maturity stages

Tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichus Schltdl.) is a good source of antioxidants and contains appreciable levels of phenolic compounds, mainly ellagitannins and anthocyanins. This study examined the influence of three ripening stages on phenolic contents. Major anthocyanin pigments increased from 0.20 (red fruit) to 1.34 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight (FW) (fully ripe fruit), whereas ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives dropped from 3.8 to 2.2 mg ellagic acid equivalents g⁻¹ (FW). Flavonols also dropped from 5.1 to 2.0 mg quercetin equivalents 100 g⁻¹ (FW). Consequently, values for total phenolic compounds ranged from 5.8 to 5.2 mg gallic acid equivalents g⁻¹ (FW), showing no specific trend. Antioxidant activity (H-ORAC) increased from 38.29 to 64.00 μmol of Trolox equivalents g⁻¹ (FW) during ripening. When compared with other commercial cultivars, R. adenotrichus stands out for high H-ORAC value, although comparatively it possesses low anthocyanin content and average total phenolic content.     

Screening of selected flavonoids and phenolic acids in 19 berries

Selected flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin) and phenolic acids (p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, p-hydroxybenzoic, gallic and ellagic acids) were simultaneously detected from 19 berries using a simple High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method. These phenolics have been proposed to have beneficial effects on health as antioxidants and anticarcinogens. Marked differences were observed in the phenolic profiles among the berries, with certain similarities within families and genera. The major phenolic compound analyzed in the genus Vaccinium was quercetin in lingonberry and cranberry, and its level was high also in blueberries and bilberry. In the genus Ribes, quercetin was the main compound in gooseberry, red currant and black currant. Ellagic acid was the main phenolic compound in the berries of the genus Rubus (red raspberry, Arctic bramble and cloudberry) and genus Fragaria (strawberry). Our data suggest that berries have potential as good dietary sources of quercetin or ellagic acid.     

Innovative microwave-assisted hydrolysis of ellagitannins and quantification as ellagic acid equivalents

The health-promoting effects of ellagic acid and its intestinal degradation products are well-known. In plants, ellagic acid mainly appears in the form of its precursors, the so-called ellagitannins. Therefore, determination of total ellagic acid content has been accomplished by cleaving ellagitannins with high temperatures and strong acids. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has been shown to be a very effective and quick extraction technique. The aim of the present study was to establish an MAE-based method for a rapid hydrolysis of ellagitannins and to compare this method with a conventional acid hydrolysis. For this purpose, strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa), which have been identified as a major source of ellagitannins in human diet, were used as a model. The newly developed MAE method was quicker, less chemical-consuming and more effective in hydrolysing ellagitannins.     

反相高效液相色谱法测定东北地区6 种红树莓果实中鞣花酸含量

建立反相高效液相色谱法测定东北地区6 种红树莓果实中鞣花酸含量,同时与蓝莓进行比较分析。色谱条件：色谱柱SinoChrom DS-BP C18（150 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm）;流动相为CH3OH-0.3%磷酸（40∶60,V/V）;流速1 mL/min,柱温30 ℃,检测波长254 nm。结果表明：鞣花酸得到很好地分离,鞣花酸含量在0.1～1 μg范围内与峰面积呈良好的线性关系,R2为0.999 3。精密度实验相对标准偏差为0.06%,重复性实验相对标准偏差为0.09%,稳定性实验相对标准偏差为0.39%,平均加样回收率为93.00%～98.62%,相对标准偏差为0.21%～0.42%,该方法简单、准确、重复性好。测得不同品种红树莓果实中总鞣花酸含量为39.10～155.98 mg/100 g;游离鞣花酸含量为1.24～8.26 mg/100 g,红树莓中含有丰富的鞣花酸,具有潜在的开发利用价值。     

响应面法优化树莓鞣花酸提取工艺及其体外抗氧化活性

本研究旨在通过微波辅助提取法确定树莓鞣花酸的最佳提取工艺,并对其抗氧化活性进行研究。以红树莓为实验原料,使用乙醇提取溶剂,采用微波辅助溶剂法提取红树莓中鞣花酸,通过单因素试验与响应面试验优化红树莓中鞣花酸提取工艺,利用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法对鞣花酸进行分析测定,并对其抗氧化性进行研究。结果表明:响应面试验优化出最佳提取条件为:提取时间1.8 min、提取温度60 ℃、乙醇浓度50%、液料比19:1、微波功率411 W,此条件下测得鞣花酸提取量为(82.75±1.05) mg/100 g,高于传统盐酸水解法在最佳提取条件下所测树莓鞣花酸提取量。实际结果与理论预测高度吻合,因此本实验得到的最优条件准确可靠有参考应用价值。微波辅助溶剂法所得鞣花酸对羟自由基清除能力、清除DPPH自由基能力都显著高于传统盐酸水解法所得鞣花酸对羟自由基清除能力,清除DPPH自由基能力,说明微波辅助溶剂提取法,不但提取时间短暂,提取溶剂用量少,而且更好的保护了树莓鞣花酸的抗氧化活性,可为树莓鞣花酸工业生产提供一定参考。     

Variation of total phenolics, anthocyanins, ellagic acid and radical scavenging capacity in various raspberry (Rubus spp.) cultivars

The aim of this study was to assess the level of some phytochemicals in 19 raspberry cultivars grown in Lithuania. The content of total ellagic acid measured after 20 h acidic hydrolysis of investigated raspberry cultivars, varied from 119.8 (cv. ‘Pokusa’) to 323.5 mg/100 g (cv. ‘Bristol’). The content of total phenolics ranged from 278.6 (cv. ‘Pokusa’) to 714.7 mg/100 g (cv. ‘Bristol’). The total anthocyanins content varied from 2.1 (yellow cv. ‘Beglianka’) to 325.5 mg/100 g (black cv. ‘Bristol’). The radical scavenging capacity of the tested raspberry cultivars highly correlating with their total phenolics and total ellagic acid content (r = 0.90 and 0.92, respectively). The results of this study expand the knowledge about variation in the content of valuable bioactive compounds in raspberries and may help for the selection and validation of the most productive cultivars.     

Inhibitory effect of raspberries on starch digestive enzyme and their antioxidant properties and phenolic composition

Seven primocane fall-bearing raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivars, Nova (red), Dinkum (red), Heritage (red), Autumn Britten (red), Josephine, Anne (yellow), Fall Gold (yellow) were analysed for potential health promoting properties including their inhibitory effect on starch and fat digestive enzymes, antioxidant activities, and phenolic composition. The tested raspberry extracts showed no detectable inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and lipase. However, all the extracts exhibited potent inhibition of α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ from 16.8 to 34.2 μg/mL. Four phenolic compounds, ellagic acid, cyanidin-diglucoside, pelargonidin-3-rutinoside, and catechin were identified as the active α-glucosidase inhibitors. The raspberry extracts also possessed significant antioxidant activities with oxygen radical absorbance capacities (ORAC) ranging from 136.7 to 205.2 μmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g dry weight fruit and DPPH radical scavenging activities from 305 to 351 μmol TE/g. The total phenolic content of raspberry cultivars varied significantly from 40.9 to 98.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. The anthocyanin content varied widely from 0.1 to 9.5 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents/g. Nine phenolic acids were quantified in raspberries and their total amounts varied from 157.3 to 713.5 μg/g. The enzyme inhibition and antioxidant properties of raspberry cultivars were not correlated with their total phenolic, anthocyanin, and phenolic acid content. Overall, ‘Dinkum’ and ‘Josephine’ raspberry varieties possess higher total phenolic content, ORAC, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than other five cultivars.     

Structural identification of the main ellagitannins of a boysenberry (Rubus loganbaccus × baileyanus Britt.) extract by LC–ESI-MS/MS,MALDI-TOF-MS and NMR spectroscopy

Four ellagitannins from boysenberry, a cross between Rubus loganbaccus and Rubus baileyanus Britt., were isolated by preparative HPLC and the exact structures determined by a combination of LC–ESI-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The two most abundant ellagitannins were identified as sanguiin H-6, which is known to be abundant in Rubus species, and the other was identified as an isomer of sanguiin H-10, which has not previously been reported in Rubus. The two less abundant ellagitannins were identified as sanguiin H-2 and [galloyl–bis-HHDP–glucose]₂-gallate. Sanguiin H-2 has been previously reported in Rubus, whereas both sanguiin H-2 and [galloyl–bis-HHDP–glucose]₂-gallate have been previously reported as hot-water degradation products of lambertianin C. Even though lambertianin C is reported to be a major ellagitannin in other Rubus species, it was not found in any of the fractions, suggesting that both sanguiin H-2 and [galloyl–bis-HHDP–glucose]₂-gallate are present naturally in boysenberry.     

Comparison of six cultivars of strawberries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fragaria x ananassa</Emphasis> Duch.) grown in northwest Poland

The aim of this study was to compare the value of Senga Sengana, a long-term standard cultivar, with other cultivars grown in northwest Poland, namely Dukat, Elkat, Selva, Elsanta and Kent. The fruits were obtained from a commercial plantation and cultivated by applying conventional farming practice. Among the strawberry cultivars studied Elsanta berries had the highest vitamin C content and its leaves the highest ellagic acid content. Kent berries had the highest contents of total sugar, total polyphenol, total anthocyanin and ellagic acid derivatives. Dukat berries had the highest dry weight and soluble solids content. Senga Sengana berries had a slightly higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging effect than other cultivars. Consumer-objective colour measurements were performed to evaluate the quality of the fruit. Elsanta and Elkat berries were found to have the highest L (lightness), a^* (redness), C^* (chromaticity) and h (hue angle) values.     

Phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition of organic and conventional grown pecan kernels

BACKGROUND: In this study, differences in contents of phenolic compounds and fatty acids in pecan kernels of organically versus conventionally grown pecan cultivars (Cheyenne, Desirable, and Wichita) were evaluated. RESULTS: Although nine phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechol, catechin, epicatechin, m‐coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, caffeic acid and an ellagic acid derivative) were identified in the methanol extract (80% methanol) of defatted kernels, only three compounds (gallic acid, catechin and ellagic acid) existed in sufficient amounts to accurately quantify levels in different cultivars and to study differences in organic versus conventional cultivation. Levels of ellagic acid and catechin found in organically grown ‘Desirable’ were fourfold and twofold higher than in conventional samples, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in these two compounds were also observed when comparing values between cultivars. Oil content was also significantly greater only in organically grown ‘Desirable’. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid present and its content was significantly higher in organically versus conventionally grown ‘Desirable’ pecans, while there was no difference in levels of oleic acid in ‘Wichita’ and ‘Cheyenne’. On the other hand, linoleic acid content was significantly less in organically versus conventionally grown ‘Desirable’ pecans. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results showed that the effects of cultural differences (i.e. organic versus conventional cultivation) on kernel composition largely depend on the type of pecan cultivar. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry