Cadmium (Cd) is well known as one of the most toxic metals affecting the environment and can severely restrict plant growth and development. In this study, Cd toxicities were studied in strawberry cv. Camarosa using pot experiment. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and mineral nutrient concentrations were investigated in both roots and leaves of strawberry plant after exposure Cd. Cd content in both roots and leaves was increased with the application of increasing concentrations of Cd. We found higher Cd concentration in roots rather than in leaves. Chlorophyll a and b was decreased in leaves but MDA significantly increased under increased Cd concentration treatments in both roots and leaves. SOD and CAT activities was also increased with the increase Cd concentrations. K, Mn and Mg concentrations were found higher in leaves than roots under Cd stress. In general, increased Cd treatments increased K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in both roots and leaves. Excessive Cd treatments reduced chlorophyll contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and changes in plant nutrition concentrations in both roots and leaves. The results presented in this work suggested that Cd treatments have negative effect on chlorophyll content and nearly decreased 30% of plant growth in strawberry. Strawberry roots accumulated higher Cd than leaves. We found that MDA and antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and APX) contents may have considered a good indicator in determining Cd tolerance in strawberry plant.

The Hawthorn (Crateagus sp.) mostly occurs around the temperate region of the world with a high number of species, producing a fruit with numerous beneficial effects for human health. The aim of the study was to determine organic acid and sugar contents in the fruit of a number of hawthorn species grown in Erzincan province of Turkey. Citric acid was the predominant organic acid in all hawthorn species and C. pseudoheterophylla had the highest citric acid content (23.688 g/100 g). There were not statistically significant differences among hawthorn species (except C. atrosanguinea Pojark) in terms of fumaric acid content. C.pontica C.Koch had a higher content of vitamin C (9.418 mg/100 g) compared to other species. Fructose was the predominant sugar component in all species and C. monogyna subsp. monogyna Joiq had the highest fructose content (18.378 g/100 g). The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source. The study revealed that there were differences in terms of fruit characteristics among hawthorn species and thus better quality hawthorn genotypes can be selected within the species. Hence, this study is considered to be a valuable reference for forthcoming studies. The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source.

The important role of fruits in human health and nutrition has been better understood with the recent studies on biochemical contents of fruits having antioxidant properties. Being one of the similar studies, in this study, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), phenolic compound, organic acid, and vitamin C contents of three plum species (Prunus domestica L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., and Prunus spinosa L.) grown in Van locality (Turkey) were identified, and the correlation between the measured values was investigated. Phenolic compound, organic acid, and vitamin C contents were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Analysis of phenolic compound indicated that chlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound, and the highest value was measured in P. spinosa L. as 12.985 mg kg⁻¹. Malic acid was the predominant organic acids and the highest value was measured in P. spinosa L. as 1.245 g 100 g⁻¹. The highest TAC and vitamin C contents were also measured in P. spinosa L. as 1.021 mmol TE kg⁻¹ and 25.492 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively. P. spinosa L. was found to be superior to the other two species with respect to antioxidant capacity and other biochemical contents. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) and positive correlation was reported between antioxidant capacity and vitamin C content.

Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars (‘Cataloglu’, ‘Hacihaliloglu’ and ‘Kabaasi’) grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated. The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, ‘Cataloglu’ had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 μg in irrigated and 6952 μg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of ‘Hacıhaliloglu’ cultivar as 7542 μg and 15251 μg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than β-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions. The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.

This study aimed at determination of vitamin (A, E, C, β-carotene, and lycopene), phenolic, and flavonoid contents in apricots at different stages of ripening using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of ripening in terms of phytochemical contents was investigated. Early period apricots showed 2.5 to three times higher level of vitamins (A, E, C, and β-carotene, and lycopene) in all types of apricots than others ( P < 0.05). Early-ripened cultivar, Boccuia, showed the highest level of vitamins, although a higher level of vitamin C was measured in late-ripened cultivar Levent ( P < 0.05). No lycopenes were determined in late-period apricots in contrary to early- and middle-period apricots. Levels of phenolics and flavonoids were measured in all types (3-B-Q-D, procyanidin B1, B2, B3, caffeic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, epigallocatechine, catechine, epictechine, chlorogenic acid, ferrulic acid, and routine) and statistical deviation of all types was noted ( P < 0.05). Among all, the cultivar Özal showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (45,843.00 μg·g ⁻¹ dry matter) in all ripening periods, where middle-ripened cultivar Adilcevaz showed the lowest level of p-coumaric acid (7.93 μg·g ⁻¹ dry matter content base).