FRUIT QUALITY OF BERRY FRUITS GROWN IN WESTERN SERBIA

The experiment evaluated fruit weight and the content of primary metabolites (soluble solids, total sugars, invert sugars, total acids, pH, and sucrose) in berry fruits (raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, and black currant). During the experimental period, significant differences in the tested parameters were observed among species. The highest fruit weight was recorded in the strawberry, whereas the lowest values were found in the blackberry and black currant. Soluble solids ranged from 8.24 (blackberry) to 15.1% (black currant). A high content of total and invert sugars was determined in blueberry, whereas black currant exhibited a high level of total acids. Strawberry and blueberry samples had the highest pH values, indicating lower acidity, while the lowest pH was measured in black currant, reflecting its higher acid content. The sucrose content in the berries varied among species, ranging from 0.26 to 0.82%. Principal component analysis (PCA) analysis showed the correlation among species and identified group patterns based on multiple fruit quality traits. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a significant correlation between fruit weight and primary metabolites. The present results indicate that berry fruits are rich in primary metabolites and can be used in primary agricultural production, as well as in the pharmaceutical and food industries.