Content of anthocyanin and other phenolic compounds in cherry species and interspecific hybrids

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds in fruits of Prunus species and interspecific hybrids was performed. Anthocyanin and phenol compound content was evaluated in P. avium, P. cerasus cultivars, P. machii wild form and interspecific P. cerasus × P. padus and P. cerasus × P. maximoviczii 2n and 4n hybrids. Anthocyanin content varied in fruits of P. cerasus cultivars, it ranged from 45 to 147 mg 100 g^-1 of fresh weight, and total phenol 241-430 mg 100 g^-1 of fresh weight. 126-192 mg 100 g^-1 FW of anthocyanins and 251-323 mg 100 g^-1 FW of total phenols was identified in P. avium cultivars. The highest phenols content - 568 mg 100 g^-1 FW NDASH was found in P. padus, and amount of anthocyanins was similar to P. cerasus and P. avium. Anthocyanin amount in fruits of interspecific hybrids ranged from 156 to 333 mg 100 g^-1 FW; phenolic compounds varied from 302 to 484 mg 100 g^-1 FW. Anthocyanin amount in fruits of interspecific hybrid P. cerasus × P. maximovitchii 2n was twice higher than in fruits of P. cerasus cultivar ‛Rechta' and P. avium cultivar ‛Kitajanka' with high anthocyanin content, compared to other sour and sweet cherry cultivars. Cyanidins were the most abundant anthocyanin class in fruits of most studied Prunus species and interspecific hybrids, however, in fruits of 'Irema BS' and P. cerasus × P. maximovitchii 2n cyanidins amount was significantly lower, and the most abundant anthocyanins were pelargonidins.