THE MAIN QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF NON-SPRAYED CHERRY LAUREL (Laurocerasus officinalis Roem.) GENOTYPES

Abstract

Cherry laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis) is naturally growing in black sea region in Turkey and the trees has not been spraying with pesticides. In natural growing conditions, all cherry laurel genotypes particularly fruits are seems resistant against pests. Astringent nature of fruits forms a barrier for pests. A total twelve cherry laurel accessions were harvested at full maturation time from various sites in Of district located in eastern black sea region in Turkey. Fruits were analyzed for their total phenolic (TP), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), total carotenoid (TC), Vitamin C and for their antioxidant capacity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in fruit flesh extract. Variability among accessions was greatest for total phenol (TP) and total anthocyanins content ranged from 154 to 213 mg GAE per 100 g and 397 to 519 mg per 100 g. The results indicated that cherry laurel fruits are superior and unique in terms of bioactive content in particular compared to bioactive rich fruit species.