Selected Antioxidants in Organic vs. Conventionally Grown Apple Fruits

Abstract

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widely cultivated temperate fruits globally, gaining scientific interest as a rich source of antioxidants with a demonstrated beneficial human health impact. Since a growing number of consumers are increasingly seeking safe and healthy food options, alternative fruit production systems such as organic farming, and their potential to provide safe and nutritious foods, have been gaining increasing attention in the last decades. The aim of the presented study was, therefore, to analyse and to compare the concentrations of selected health-promoting antioxidants, such as phenolic acids, flavonols, and vitamin C, in fruits of three apple cultivars (Champion, Gala, and Idared) grown in conventional and certified organic orchards in Poland. All analyses were performed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Organic apples tested within the study, compared to the conventionally grown ones, were characterised by significantly higher concentrations of phenolic acids (av. >31%) and flavonols (av. >66%) with the identified differences being consistent in all three cultivars and two seasons. The greatest production system effect was observed in the case of Idared. Significant cultivar and production season effects on the concentration of the measured fruit phenolics, with strong interactions between the two factors, were also identified. Vitamin C content in the fruits was strongly dependent on the year-to-year differences in the fruit growing conditions. The study suggests that the organic production system has a potential to provide apple fruits rich in selected health-promoting phenolic antioxidants.