LE3 .A278 1999

1999

Vander Kloet, Sam

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

A total of 135 clones of V. angustifolium were sampled from three regions in Nova Scotia; Cumberland County, Hants County and Queens County. The leaves and fruit of each clone were tested for total anthocyanins, phenolics, antioxidant capacity and, in leaves, surface colour, in an effort to determine the quantitative intraspecific variation present among clones, morphological types, regions and (for leaves) growing seasons. Fruit were highly variable in anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity, suggesting genetic and environmental influences on these components. Leaves demonstrated a broad range of anthocyanin and surface colour values, but no correlation was found between fruit and leaf anthocyanin levels. The three morphological types of V. angustifolium did not differ in any of the variables measured. The three regions of Nova Scotia differed in fruit and leaf anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity (and surface colour in leaves). Leaves harvested during the early, middle and late part of the 1997 growing season differed in % dry weight, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity and leaf surface colour (hue angle). Correlations were found between anthocyanins, phenolics and antioxidant capacity in fruit, but not in leaves. Early and mid season leaf phenolic levels correlated weakly with total phenolics in fruit. Measurements of leaf surface colour (hue angle) taken from dried, powdered leaves were correlated with leaf anthocyanin content, indicating that leaves which appeared red contained more anthocyanin pigment. There has been little if any work done to date on quantifying the intraspecific variation in the polymorphic V. angustifolium, and no previous studies which involved quantitative analysis of anthocyanins, phenolics, antioxidant capacity and surface colour in leaves of this species.

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