Bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacities, and mineral contents of wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca and Fragaria viridis): A comparative evaluation

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the bioactive profiles of two wild strawberry species (Fragaria vesca and Fragaria viridis) collected from the Ardahan/Turkey region and processed using the freeze-drying method. Vitamin C content and total antioxidant capacities were measured spectrophotometrically, while phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using LC-MS/MS techniques. Mineral analysis was performed using AAS. F. viridis exhibited significantly higher vitamin C content (448.91 mg/100g) and superior antioxidant activity compared to F. vesca (312.87 mg/100g). Analysis of phenolic profiles revealed species-specific differences, with F. vesca showing distinctly higher anthocyanin levels, including Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (9029.99 ng/mL), Peonidin-3-O-glucoside (4259.54 ng/mL), and Pelargonidin-3-glucoside (5827.36 ng/mL). F. viridis had higher concentrations of Quinic acid (5827.97 ng/mL) and Gallic acid (282.37 ng/mL), contributing to its antioxidant potential. Mineral analysis showed that F. vesca contained higher levels of calcium (145.29 mg/100g), potassium (1294.13 mg/100g), and magnesium (231.07 mg/100g) compared to F. viridis. Our findings demonstrate the phytochemical richness and functional diversity of wild strawberry species in the Ardahan region, with F. viridis showing superior antioxidant capacity, and F. vesca displaying enhanced mineral content and anthocyanin profile. It was concluded that both wild strawberries have higher bioactivity compared to the literature and are a valuable functional food source with protective potential against chronic diseases, requiring further in vivo and in vitro studies in this context.