Polyphenols from chokeberry and elderberry and their antiradical activity

Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) and elderberries (Sambucus nigra) belong to species of fruit which are extremely rich in polyphenols and exhibit strong antiradical activities. Because of possible positive action on human health, these fruits are intensively investigated. Additionally, these two fruit species are interesting for cultivation due to many industrial applications. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of various polyphenolic classes on antiradical activity of chokeberry and elderberry. Two fractions of polyphenols were extracted. First fraction contained flavonols and phenolic acids and second anthocyanins. Antiradical activity of polyphenols in each fraction was investigated by using DPPH test. Total amount of polyphenols in each fraction was analyzed by HPLC methods. The results of HPLC analyses showed that chokeberry contained high amounts of caffeic acid derivatives and quercetin derivatives. Elderberry was characterized by high amount of quercetin derivatives. Both fruit species contained high amount of anthocyanins. The assessment of antiradical activity showed that all polyphenols contribute to antiradical activity of fruits. But the contribution of anthocyanins to antiradical activity was higher compared to contribution of flavonols and phenolic acids. Aronia anthocyanins showed 8 times higher antiradical activity than flavonols and phenolic acids. Elderberry anthocyanins also showed better ability to scavenge free radicals in comparison to other investigated polyphenols. Antiradical activity of elderberry anthocyanins was even 37 times higher than antiradical activity of flavonols and phenolic acids from elderberry. The results of this study provide better insight into antiradical activity of polyphenols from chokeberry and elderberry which are of great importance to potential positive action of these fruits on human health.