Screening of blackberry cultivars for phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties

Advancing economically viable blackberry production in the Northern Plains requires screening and selection of cold stress adaptable cultivars with high nutritional and postharvest preservation qualities. The human health benefits-associated nutritional qualities, especially phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of blackberries vary widely among different cultivars and further due to different growing conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen different blackberry cultivars suitable for the Northern Plains climate having potential phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties using in vitro assay models. Food grade suitable cold water extracts of five blackberry cultivars were screened for their total soluble phenolic content, antioxidant activity, alpha-amylase enzyme, and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities using rapid in vitro assays. Overall, high soluble phenolic content, high antioxidant activity and high alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities were observed in all 5 blackberry cultivars. Results of this in vitro study provides biochemical rationale to screen and select high phenolic high antioxidant blackberry cultivar such as 'Prime Ark 45' to target integration in dietary and therapeutic intervention strategies or to design functional food ingredients for overall prevention and management of early stages of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated complications.