The impact of the growth environment on the production of health-promoting phytochemicals in cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) is not well established despite increased production worldwide. We investigated the secondary metabolite composition among the cranberry fruit of nine cultivars produced in two major coastal North American growing regions that differ in climate. Using ¹H NOESY NMR to generate metabolic fingerprints, principal component analysis revealed variation between the two regions and identified likely contributing metabolites. Triterpenoids ursolic and oleanolic acid, as well as citric and malic acids, were quantified using ¹H qNMR, and anthocyanins and flavonols were determined by HPLC-DAD. Total proanthocyanidins (PACs), total soluble phenolics, and DPPH free-radical scavenging antioxidant activity were also evaluated. Across all cultivars, anthocyanins, flavonols, and total phenolic content were significantly higher in West Coast fruit than East Coast fruit, correlating with a regional trend of higher antioxidant activity in fruit grown on the West Coast. The opposite trend was observed for triterpenoids and organic acids, which were significantly higher across cultivars in East Coast fruit. These trends persisted over two growing seasons. The study demonstrates that climate plays an important role in the production of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in cranberry plants.

Cranberry fruit extracts have been shown to inhibit expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells and reduce colonic tumor burden and tissue inflammation in a mouse model of colitis. These activities are attributed to both the triterpenoid and polyphenol constituents of the fruit. The pentacyclic triterpenoids ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA), corosolic acid (CA), maslinic acid (MA), and esters of UA and OA occur in the waxy layer of cranberry peel, and their content in cranberry products is likely to vary with the fruit source and processing methods. UPLC-MS (ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) was applied to determine the four triterpenoid acids and their esters in cranberry products and raw materials. Cranberry pomace, a side stream in juice production, was a rich source at 64,090 µg total triterpenoids/g DW. Cranberry juice beverages ranged from 0.018 to 0.26 µg/g of product, fruit samples ranged from 6542 to 17,070 µg/g DW, and whole berry products contained up to 2665 µg/g DW. Free UA was the most plentiful triterpenoid in all samples. These analyses illustrate the potential value of an underutilized side stream in cranberry juice production and highlight potential benefits of whole fruit products.