Fruit production and polyphenol content of salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh), a potential new fruit for northern maritime regions

摘要: Introduction. Cool growing seasons, high rainfall, wind and reduced sunshine challenge fruit production in northern maritime regions. Salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) originates from the Pacific Northwest of North America our research investigated its chemical composition Orkney, north mainland Scotland. Materials methods. Fruit a 20-plant row was recorded over 3 seasons fruits were analysed for total polyphenol, anthocyanin content (TPC TAC) antioxidant capacity (FRAP). Results discussion. Fruiting occurred August to October. Although 16−18 pickings required harvest entire crop, about 75% picked 4 weeks when maximum occurred. Annual varied 0.7 2.3 kg m-1 row, indicating potential yields 2.7 9.1 t ha-1 at 10 years hedgerows 2.5 m apart. In 2014, average weight, height diameter ranged 467 680 mg, 9.9 10.5 mm 9.2 10.2 mm, respectively. The picking rate 1.0 h-1 but constrained by poor synchronisation ripening. Variations between TPC (658−968 mg 100 g-1 fw) reflected variations TAC (121−219 FRAP (63,048−100,815 ¯M Fe fw). values similar those blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) varieties. Conclusion. grew well Orkney’s environment fruited reliably. This has novel food drink, commercialisation will require improved selections, notably ease harvest.