Effect of cultivar, year, and their interaction on nutritional and energy value components in Aronia melanocarpa berries

Abstract

Aronia melanocarpa has long been known for its small, purple-black, and sweet-bitter berries to which several human health benefits have been attributed. This study aimed to highlight the effect of cultivar, year, and their interaction on the berry level of some components with nutritional and energetic value in two chokeberry cultivars. The study was carried out on ‘Melrom’ and ‘Nero’ chokeberry cultivars, grown under climatic conditions specific to Muntenia region, Romania. Compared to ‘Nero’ cv., dry weight, total soluble solids, and carbohydrates were found in significantly higher quantity in ‘Melrom’ cv. (263.33 g kg-1, 18.02 °Brix, 203.19 g kg-1). Significantly higher energy value and acidity (946.81 kcal kg-1 and 11.40 g malic acid kg-1, respectively) were also determined for ‘Melrom’ cv. Except for total soluble solids for ‘Melrom’ cv., total titratable acidity and total sugar content presented the highest variations between the study years for each of the two cultivars. K was the major mineral, followed by Ca. ‘Nero’ cv. had a higher content of K (2.73 g kg-1) and Zn (0.003 g kg-1) and significantly higher levels of Ca (0.72 g kg-1), Mg (0.35 g kg-1), and P (0.52 g kg-1). Both chokeberry cultivars can be considered as an alternative to complete the daily diet with fiber and minerals without high energy or sugar intake.