Studies on the evaluation of leaves and fruits of vaccinium myrtillus L. (Yaban mersini) plant growing in our country by the food and cosmetic industry

In this study, the leaves and fruits of Vaccinium myrtillus L. plant, which is one of the berry fruits that are rich in antioxidant, anticarcinogen and antiulcer activity were evaluated. The aim of this study was to contribute to the elucidation of the medicinal properties of the Vaccinium myrtillus L. plant. Anthocyanin content was determined by pH differential method in the fruits of Vaccinium myrtillus L.. The amount of anthocyanin in dry fruits varied between 0.155% and 0.896%. Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine total phenolic content. Vaccinium myrtillus L. dry fruit contained in the amount of phenolic matter was between 0.48% and 1.01%. In order to determine the total amount of flavonoid, aluminum chloride colorimetric method was preferred. Vaccinium myrtillus L. dry fruit was found to contain flavonoid between 0.25% and 0.41%. European Pharmacopoeia method was used to determine the amount of tannin. 4.19% on leaves; 0.68% tannin was found in the fruit. The findings were consistent with the values in the European Pharmacopoeia. Antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH method. According to the findings, grown especially wild in the Black Sea region of Turkey, in recent years, counted from the considerable importance given to medicinal plants to the cultivation of alternative agricultural products Vaccinium myrtillus L. plant were given advice towards increasing of production capacity.