THE CONTENT OF ORGANIC SUBSTANCES IN THE BERRIES OF THE HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.)
Abstract
Purpose. To research the content of dry matter and soluble solids, sugars, and titratable acids in the berries of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) of early, mid-, and late-season varieties under the conditions of the Polissya region of Ukraine. Methods. The dry matter content in blueberry berries was measured by the use of a drying oven. The soluble solids content was determined with the use of a RPL-4 refractometer. The organic acid content in blueberry berries was determined by the titration method. The sugar content was analyzed on a KFK-3-0.1 spectrophotometer. The sugar- acid index was calculated mathematically. Results. The content of dry matter and soluble solids in blueberries in 2024 was higher compared to 2025. In 2024, the dry matter content ranged from 17.68% to 20.32%, whereas in 2025 it ranged from 17.11% to 20.08%. The soluble solids content in 2024 was 13.38–17.17%, whereas in 2025 it was 12.30–15.20%. Over the 2024–2025 period, the dry matter content in the studied varieties ranged from 17.40% to 19.57%, and the soluble solids content from 13.04% to 15.89%. The sugar content in blueberries in 2024 ranged from 7.73–9.47%, and in 2025 – from 6.65–10.66%. The carbohydrate content in blueberries during the 2024–2025 period ranged from 7.66% to 9.99%. In 2025, highbush blueberry varieties, with the exception of Herbert, accumulated more titratable acids compared to 2024. In 2024, the organic acid content was 0.62–0.99%, while in 2025 it was 0.73–1.29%. During 2024–2025, titratable acidity levels in blueberry varieties ranged from 0.71% to 1.12%. The TSA in 2024 and 2025 fluctuated within the ranges of 8.3–13.6 and 5.2–14.7, respectively. Conclusions. The Herbert and Elliott varieties accumulated the highest dry matter content in fresh berries, while the Toro and Spartan varieties had the lowest. The Fiolent and Spartan varieties were characterized by the highest carbohydrate content, and the Elliot and Herbert varieties by the lowest. The Ukrainian-bred variety Fiolent had the lowest natural acidity, while Herbert had the highest. The Fiolent variety had the highest sugar-acid index, while Herbert and Elliott had the lowest.
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