WILD STRAWBERRIES (Rubus rosifolius Sm.) FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL: CENTESIMAL AND MINERAL COMPOSITION, TOTAL POLYPHENOLS, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to evaluate polyphenols, trace elements and compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-hypertensive activity in wild strawberries cultivated in Southern Brazil. Fruits present high fiber, iron, potassium and sodium concentrations. Polyphenolic content was 242.12 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100g and monomeric anthocyanin concentration was 100.50 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside per 100g. Wild strawberries presented the capacity of scavenging 89% of ABTS•+ radical and 61% of DPPH• radicals and chelating power of 3.1, meanwhile the inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme I activity was 12.5%. Fruits presented compounds with capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Aeromonas hydrophyla. Thus, wild strawberries are important source of functional compounds and their consumption is a way to promote the Brazilian biodiversity and improve human diet.