Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Bioactive compounds in red-fleshed apple germplasm

Dmytro Pyshcholka, Volodymyr Mezhenskyj
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Abstract

Red-fleshed apple cultivars of the Malus domestica Niedzwetzkyana Group have attracted increasing attention due to their distinctive pigmentation and elevated levels of health-promoting phytochemicals. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical composition and variability of major bioactive compounds in red-fleshed apple cultivars grown in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. Eleven cultivars were investigated over three growing seasons (2023-2025). The content of ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonols, and chalcones was determined using standard spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods. The results revealed substantial biochemical diversity among the studied genotypes. The content of ascorbic acid ranged from 5.06 to 11.41 mg/100 g fresh weight and did not differ significantly among cultivars. In contrast, pronounced differences were observed in the accumulation of phenolic compounds. The highest total polyphenol concentrations were recorded in cultivars ‘Jurgen’ (636.50 mg/100 g) and ‘Firecracker’ (621.63 mg/100 g). Anthocyanin and chalcone contents showed considerable variation, with the highest values detected in ‘Dr Campbell’ (31.86 mg/100 g and 22.20 mg/100 g, respectively). Statistical analysis yielded a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.81), suggesting that chalcone concentration accounts for 81% of the observed variability in anthocyanin levels. The cultivars ‘Era’ and ‘Jurgen’ demonstrated the highest flavonol accumulation (79.10 mg/100 g and 65.90 mg/100 g, respectively). Overall, ‘Dr Campbell’, ‘Cranberry’, and ‘Jurgen’ were identified as the most promising genotypes due to their favourable combination of high phenolic content and pigment accumulation. The results highlight the significant nutritional and breeding potential of red-fleshed apple cultivars and support their wider introduction into horticultural production and functional food development in Ukraine

Keywords

Malus domestica Niedzwetzkyana Group; ascorbic acid; polyphenols; anthocyanins; flavonols; chalcones

Suggested citation
Pyshcholka, D., & Mezhenskyj, V. (2026). Bioactive compounds in red-fleshed apple germplasm. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(2),7-19. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/2.2026.07
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