Effects of different drying methods on phenolic components and in vitro hypoglycemic activities of pulp extracts from two Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) cultivars

Abstract The effects of two different drying methods, namely hot-air drying and freeze drying, on the phenolic profiles, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of pulp extracts from two main Chinese bayberry cultivars (‘Biqi’ or ‘BQ’ and ‘Dongkui’ or ‘DK’) were evaluated. The results showed that ‘BQ’ bayberry provided higher total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total anthocyanin (TAC) contents than ‘DK’ bayberry after the same drying method, while its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities were highly affected by drying method. Freeze-dried samples possessed significantly higher TPC, TFC and TAC, and exhibited more potent antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities than hot-air dried ones (P