Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural antioxidant, belonging to the group of polyphenolic compounds. It displays a broad spectrum of pro-health effects, ranging from the prevention of cancer to antiviral properties. It is present in many fruit from the rose family (Rosaceae): strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and walnuts as well as cranberries and grapes. The available literature states that the fruit of roses, in addition to their aesthetic and functional applications, also show therapeutic properties, which, among other things, are associated with a high content of polyphenols, including ellagic acid derivatives. The aim of this research was to determine the differences in the content of free ellagic acid in the fruit of selected rose species. The test material consisted of freeze-dried sublimation and ground fruit from the following species of roses: R. canina, R. moyesii, R. pendulina. The fruit was separated into two fractions: flesh and seeds. Quantitative analysis of free ellagic acid was carried out by spectrofluorimetry. The free EA was present both in the flesh and in the seeds of the studied species of roses. Its content in the mentioned fractions varied depending on the species. The flesh of R. pendulina was characterised by the highest level of EA in free form (247.72 μg·g–1 of dry weight). The seeds of R. moyesii proved to be the most abundant in free EA (105.69 μg·g–1 of dry weight.
Major-effect candidate genes identified in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) for ellagic acid deoxyhexoside and pelargonidin-3-O-malonylglucoside biosynthesis, key polyphenolic compounds