Role of Fruits and Berries in Providing Human with Vital Biologically Active Substances

M. Yu. Akimov¹, V. N. Makarov², E. V. Zhbanova^1
1I. V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center, ul. Michurina, 30, Michurinsk, Tambovskaya obl., 393774, Russian Federation
²Experimental Centre «M-KONS-1», ul. 2-ya Revolyuzionnaya, 2a, Michurinsk, Tambovskaya obl., 393760, Russian Federation

Abstract. Fruit and berries are an important component of healthy food in connection with a wide spectrum of accumulation and high content of biologically active compounds. Human organism can not synthesize the necessary complex of antioxidants, that is why, a significant part of them should be received with food, enriched with an antioxidant complex. In this regard, Russian and foreign researchers are conducting comprehensive work to identify new highly efficient sources of nutrients and vitamins in food. The number of investigations concerning the study of different protective effects of fruits and berries increases annually. The aim of the paper was to reveal vitaminous and antioxidant value of fruits and berries on the base of generalization of modern knowledge on this problem. Using the example of many fruits and berries, it is shown that among phytochemicals, the share of vitamin C accounts for no more than 15% of the total antioxidant capacity; particular importance belongs to polyphenolic compounds. Vitaminous composition of fruit and berries is very different, hoverer the practical importance of berries and fruits can be obvious in case their functioning as a source of water-soluble vitamins C, P, B9 (folic acid) and fat-soluble vitamins p-A (carotene), E and K. Other vitamins are contained in insignificant quantities, so fruits and berries can only serve as additional resources of these substances in the diet.

Keywords: fruits; berries; biologically active substances; vitamins; trace elements; antioxidant activity.

Author Details: M. Yu. Akimov, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), director; V. N. Makarov, D. Sc. (Agr.), scientific supervisor; E. V. Zhbanova, D. Sc. (Agr.), leading research fellow (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.).

For citation: Akimov M. Yu., Makarov V. N., Zhbanova E. V. Role of Fruits and Berries in Providing Human with Vital Biologically Active Substances. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2019. Vol. 33. No. 2. Pp. 56–60 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.24411/0235-2451-2019-10214.