Effect of aluminum on antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content in in vitro cultured blueberries (Efectos de aluminio en la capacidad antioxidante y en el contenido de compuestos fenólicos en plántulas de arándano cultivadas in vitro)

Blueberry is a popular natural food product consumed worldwide. Acid soils are found throughout the world. A significant problem of acid soils is the active aluminum content, which may result toxic to plant. The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicities of Al for Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivated in vitro and treated with 100 and 200 μM Al. The effects of Al concentration on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of blueberry after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment were established. The analysis of the MDA accumulated in the tissues of the blueberry seedlings indicates that Al concentration increases the damage caused by lipid peroxidation, for both treatments, after 14 days. The highest antioxidant activity in the extracts was observed at 200 μM Al after 14 days of treatment, being chlorogenic and ellagic acids the most significant metabolites involved in the antioxidant properties. Then, the content of Al in soil could be modulate the content of bioactive compounds in blueberry plants.