Diversity of biochemical content in fruits of some indigenous mulberry genotypes

Abstract

This research was carried out to assess the biochemical diversity of the fruits of mulberry genotypes grown in Muş Provincein the eastern Anatolia region and to determine the genotypes available for breeding. Morphological and biochemical characteristicsof 13 mulberry fruit genotypes, including 5 white (Morus alba) and 8 black (Morus nigra), were determined. Fruit antioxidant capacitywas determined by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. Fruit weight, pH, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, vitamin C,and antioxidant capacity were 1.38–3.77 g, 4.77–6.79, 14.33%–23.50%, 0.53%–2.20%, 4.47–35.83 mg 100 g–1, and 4.33–13.63 µmolTrolox equivalent g, respectively, indicating enough diversity among genotypes for future breeding activities. Considering all genotypes,malic acid was dominant, and the highest malic acid content was detected in 4 Morus nigra genotypes as 8.546 mg g–1 fresh weight.Chlorogenic acid, rutin, and gallic acid were determined as the main phenolics among white and black mulberry genotypes. The highestchlorogenic acid, rutin, and gallic acid contents were found in black mulberry genotypes as 2.511 mg g–1 (Morus nigra 1), 1.285 mgg–1 (Morus nigra 1), and 1.162 mg g–1 (Morus nigra 3), respectively. In general, the genotypes sampled and used in the present studyexhibited a broad range of variation.