Biochemical composition of cornelian cherry fruits in natural populations of Dagestan

Abstract

Introduction. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits are valuable food and medicinal raw materials. However, their biochemical composition in relation to contrasting growing conditions remains insufficiently studied. The Republic of Dagestan, characterized by pronounced altitudinal zonation and diverse climatic zones, is of particular interest for assessing the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the fruits of wild populations.
Aim. To determine the content of the main groups of biologically active substances in the cornelian cherry fruits from five natural populations in Dagestan and to identify its dependence on environmental factors along an elevational gradient from −2 to 1030 m above sea level.
Material and methods. Fruit sampling was carried out in 2024–2025 in the piedmont areas of Dagestan. The content of moisture, total ash, extractive substances, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids, ascorbic acid, and carbohydrates was determined according to the methods specified in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.
Results. The content of biologically active substances was found to vary within wide ranges: organic acids – 2.1–3.1%, vitamin C – 5–12 mg/g, carbohydrates – 13.6–19.1%, tannins – 1.7–4.6%, flavonoids – 4–10 mg/g, anthocyanins – 1–5 mg/g. The content of flavonoids and ascorbic acid varied almost twofold depending on the growing site conditions. Correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between the concentration of anthocyanins (0.57) and organic acids (0.69) with temperature indicators, as well as negative correlations between tannins and ascorbic acid (-0.56) and organic acids (-0.60).
Conclusion. An increase in temperature parameters is accompanied by a rise in the content of flavonoids and anthocyanins, thereby enhancing the protective mechanisms of cells. The obtained data indicate the high breeding potential of natural cornelian cherry populations in Dagestan and can be utilized for the selection of economically valuable forms for introduction in the piedmont zones of the North Caucasus.