Plant and Soil Science

Biochemical composition and nutritional value of red-fleshed apple cultivars in the Ukrainian forest-steppe

Dmytro Pyshcholka, Volodymyr Mezhenskyj
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Abstract

The study investigated the biochemical composition and nutritional value of 12 red-fleshed apple cultivars grown at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. The objective was to evaluate their phytochemical profile, including dry matter, soluble solids, total sugars, titratable acidity, pectins, and key bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, and chalcones. The research, conducted over two consecutive years (2023-2024), also aimed to identify correlations between these traits and to cluster cultivars with similar chemical profiles. The results noted a wide range of biochemical characteristics among cultivars. While their dry matter, soluble solids, and pectin content were comparable to modern white-fleshed varieties, their total polyphenol content was significantly higher, with an average of 335.69 mg/100 g. The cultivars ‘Jurgen’ and ‘Firecracker’ showed the highest polyphenol levels: 643.85 mg/100 g and 629.60 mg/100 g, respectively. The presence of anthocyanins in the flesh varied widely, ranging from 2.50 to 28.64 mg/100 g, with ‘Dr Campbell’ having the highest concentration. The study also found significant year-to-year variation in some traits, particularly hydropectin, total polyphenols, and chalcones, suggesting an environmental influence. A high positive correlation was observed between anthocyanins and chalcones (r = 0.88), as well as between total polyphenols and chalcones (r = 0.72). Hierarchical clustering analysis identified distinct groups of cultivars, with the highest content of biologically active substances in ‘Dr Campbell’, ‘Cranberry’, ‘Jurgen’, ‘Firecracker’, and ‘Maypole’. These findings highlight the potential of red-fleshed apple cultivars as a rich source of health-promoting compounds, providing valuable data for future breeding programs and consumer use

Keywords

Malus domestica Niedzwetzkyana Group; ascorbic acid; polyphenolic compounds; anthocyanins; antioxidant activity

Suggested citation
Pyshcholka, D., & Mezhenskyj, V. (2026). Biochemical composition and nutritional value of red-fleshed apple cultivars in the Ukrainian forest-steppe. Plant and Soil Science, 17(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.31548/plant1.2026.09
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