Potential health benefits and quality of dried fruits: Goji fruits, cranberries and raisins

- Antioxidant activity (AA) of dried goji fruits, cranberries and raisins was showed.
- ET AAS was used to determine Ge, Mn and Cu in dried fruits.
- ET AAS was used to determine toxic metals Cd, Pb and Ni in dried fruits.
- The positive correlations of AA and Mn as well as AA and Cu were obtained.
- Aflatoxins B1/B2/G1/G2, ochratoxin A and ergosterol were determined.

Dried fruits are important snacks and additives to other foods due to their taste and nutritional advantages. Therefore there is an important goal to control the quality of the food on the market for consumer's safety. Antioxidant activity of goji fruits (Lycium barbarum), cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon and oxycoccus) and raisins (Vitis vinifera) were studied using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. Cu, Mn and Ge influencing antioxidant activity were determined together with selected toxic metals (Cd, Ni and Pb). Contamination with fungi was studied by quantification of their marker - ergosterol and important mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, and ochratoxin A) were also determined. Antioxidant activity of all tested dried fruits was confirmed with goji fruits being the most profitable for consumers. Contamination of the tested fruits with toxic metals and mycotoxins was low.