Considering that some phenolic compounds found in blackberry are beneficial to human health, this study was conducted in order to quantify the levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity in genotypes produced by different 10 cultivars and 4 selections of thorn and thornless blackberry plants. Concerning the results, it can be observed that among the thorn blackberry selections and cultivars, the selection S16/96 had the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Among the thornless blackberry selections, the selections S17/01 and S02/96 showed higher values; however, it did not differ from selection S12/01 regarding to antioxidant activity. There was no statistical difference in the levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity when compared with each other selections and cultivars of thorn blackberries. The correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in this blackberries study is weak indicating the presence of other phytochemicals and vitamins that may influence the antioxidant power.
bioactive compounds; cultivars and selections; health
