Two new hybrid strawberry cultivars with increased fruit phytochemical contents for health consumption

Strawberry is known for its worldwide consumption and health benefits. In particular, anthocyanins are of increasing interest for nutritionists and plant breeders. The objectives of this study were to generate new strawberry cultivars for high anthocyanin content and bioactive compounds by conventional breeding. The concentration of total anthocyanin content and bioactive compounds of new hybrids and their parents were analyzed in fruit extract samples using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Types and amounts of anthocyanins, as well as vitamin C, were determined using HPLC. Physico-chemical properties of fruits were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that hybrids No.2 line 7 and hybrid No.8 line 66 were exceptional sources of anthocyanin content (between 41 and 52 mg 100 g^‑1 FW) and bioactive compounds. Values of cyanidin 3-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-glucoside were approximately 20-30 and 484-555 mg kg^‑1 FW, respectively. In addition, the two new hybrids produced approximately 2131-2265 mg GAE kg^‑1 FW and 22-24 mmol Fe²⁺ kg^‑1 FW of total phenolic content and FRAP activity, respectively. Physico-chemical characteristics of these new hybrid strawberries were significantly better than their parents. Therefore, the two new hybrids form the promising basis for nutritionally enhanced fruit, as they possess high levels of phytochemicals for health benefits.