Influences of organically and conventionally grown strawberry cultivars on anthocyanins content and color in purees and low-sugar jams

• Cultivation had no significant effect on anthocyanin content.
• Cultivar and processing significantly influenced anthocyanin content.
• Processing purees to jams decreased anthocyanins content for 28%.
• ΔE∗ab significantly increased with processing to jams.
• Color parameters are strongly correlated with content of anthocyanins.

The objective of this study was to detect influences of cultivar, cultivation and processing on anthocyanin content and color in purees and low-sugar jams produced from strawberry cultivars (Elsanta, Maya, Marmolada, Queen Elisa), grown under conventional and organic cultivation. Color was determined by CIELab values while anthocyanins were quantified by HPLC-UV/VIS-PDA. Queen Elisa was the best cultivar for processing as it had highest total anthocyanin content (TAC) that was well preserved in processing. On average, processing purees to jams decreased TAC for 28% where pelargonidin-3-glucoside revealed most noticeable loss (53%) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside was best preserved in processing. Obtained results indicated that measurement of colorimetric parameters are strongly correlated with content of anthocyanins. In other words, loss of anthocyanins during processing was accompanied by noticeable decrease in lightness, red/yellow color and total color change. Results showed that change of color is useful predictor for estimating anthocyanins in strawberry purees and jams.