Page 25 - Book of Abstracts

5 International Scientific Online Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.15414/2021.9788055224015

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BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FRUITS OF BLUE HONEYSUCKLE
(LONICERA CAERULEA L.): A REVIEW
Anna Bieniek , Olga Grygorieva , Natalia Bielska
1
1
2
1 University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Poland; E- mail:anna.bieniek@uwm.edu.pl
2 M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine; E-mail.: olgrygorieva@gmail.com
Species belonging to the genus Lonicera such as Lonicera caerulea var. edulis, L. caerulea
var. kamtschatica, L. caerulea var. altaica, L. caerulea var. byarnikovae and L. caerulea var.
emphyllocalyx, as well as their hybrids, collectively known as Lonicera caerulea L., also known
as blue honeysuckle, haskap, honeyberry, sweet berry honeysuckle or edible honeysuckle, are
representative of such plants. The berries of blue honeysuckle containing a significant amount
of biologically active substances can be included in the group of so-called ‘superfruits’. Haskap
is a deciduous berry shrub, growing to 1.5–2.0 m tall, bearing a type of blue-berried
honeysuckle about 1 cm in diameter. Blue honeysuckle plants have been used for ages in Asia
for their medicinal properties. According to the available literature, fruits of the honeyberry are
a valuable source of vitamins, minerals, and secondary metabolites with bioactive properties
that are important for maintaining proper human health. A high total polyphenolic content and
antioxidant activity are typical of blue honeysuckle berry and determine the edible value and
health benefits of this plant. The chemical composition of berries varies depending on genetic
factors (cultivar), climate, weather conditions, as well as agronomic practices. Fully ripened
fruits contain between 12.4 and 20.3 % of dry matter, with a predominance of fructose and
glucose. The noteworthy among bioactive compounds are anthocyanins. The most abundant
anthocyanin is cyanidin-3-glucoside (79–92 %), whereas cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, peonidin-3-
glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, peonidin-3-rutinoside, and pelargonidin-3-glucoside occur in
smaller amounts. The other group of chemical compounds identified in the fruits of blue
honeysuckle is phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavan-3-ols, flavons, flavanols, organic acids, and
iridoids. Blue honeysuckle berries are characterized by a high content of vitamin C, which can
reach up to 187 mg/100 g fresh weight. In addition, they also contain the mineral components,
potassium is dominant, followed by phosphorus and calcium, magnesium and iron in smaller
amounts, and trace amounts of manganese, copper, and zinc. They are characterized by a high
content of organic acids, among which citric acid is the most dominant and constituted 47 % of
all organic acids, among which malic, phytic, oxalic, quinic, and shikimic acids were also present.
Health-promoting properties of the haskap berries include protective effects against
cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, anemia, as well
as antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, they can be
successfully used in the production of functional food and dietary supplements, and even
medicinal products.
Keywords: Lonicera caerulea, fruits, cultivars, biochemical composition.

Acknowledgments. The publication was prepared with the active participation of researchers in the
international network AgrobioNet. The authors are grateful to Visegrad Fund and SAIA (Slovak
Republic).

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