The influence of selected preservation methods and storage time on the content of antioxidants in blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) fruits

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of selected methods of preservation and storage time on the content of antioxidants in blackthorn fruit (Prunus spinosa L.). Preserved fruits were stored for 13 and 26 weeks without light at room temperature (freeze-dried and convection dried) and at –20°C (frozen samples). It was shown that both the method of preservation and the storage time had significant influence on the content of polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavonoids, total polyphenols) and antioxidant properties (Fe3+ reduction strength) of blackthorn fruit. As the storage time progressed, the anthocyanins content decreased in all preservation variants. In the case of frozen fruit after 26 weeks of storage, the content of flavonoids (by 12.5%), total polyphenols (by 48%) and the ability to reduce the iron ions were increased (by 55%). In turn, in the dried fruits after this period, the anthocyanins content, the polyphenol content and reduction strength were reduced. The highest values of the parameters evaluated after the assumed storage time has been demonstrated in lyophilizates.