Karyomorphology, genome size, and variation of antioxidant in twelve berry species from Iran

Twelve berry species, including Rubus fruticosus cv. Qaemshahr, Rubus occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr, and Morus alba cv. Mashhad, Morus rubra cv. Karaj, Fragaria vesca subsp. vesca, Ribes nigrum, Ribes rubrum, Ribes uva-crispa; Lycium barbarum, Lycium infaustum, Lycium ruthenicum, and Vaccinium corymbosum were surveyed for karyomorphology analysis, monoploid genome size, and antioxidant activity. Results indicated that all species were diploid (2n = 2x = 14, 16, 24, and 28). Among these species, chromosome counts and karyomorphology parameters of three cultivars including: R. fruticosus cv. Qaemshahr (2n = 2x = 14), R. occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr (2n = 2x = 14), and M. alba cv. Mashhad (2n = 2x = 28) are reported here for the first time. The flow cytometric mean monoploid 2Cx DNA of berry species was 2.35 pg, varied from 0.68 (Rubus occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr) to 5.15 pg (Lycium ruthenicum). The average antioxidant capacity of berry species was obtained 32.8 μmol g-1. Their average total phenol and flavonoid contents were 4.98 mg g-1 (3.08-8.61 mg g-1), and 5.18 (2.47-10.63 mg g-1), respectively.