VITAMIN AND MINERAL CONTENT IN BLACK CURRANT (Ribes nigrum L.) FRUITS AS AFFECTED BY SOIL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Black currant contain significant amounts of minerals and vitamins that are associated with an improved health status. The effect of three soil management system (bare fallow, sawdust mulch and black foil mulch) on the content of vitamins and minerals in the fruits of seven black currant cultivars ('Ben Lomond', 'Ben Sarek', 'Titania', 'Cacanska Crna', 'Tisel', 'Tiben' and 'Tsema') was analyzed. HPLC-DAD (high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector) technique was used to define the vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3. Vitamin C were evaluated using a spectrometer, whereas the mineral content of the fruit was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant differences in the minerals and vitamins content were detected among the cultivars. The berries of black currants are rich in mineral composition, especially potassium, phosphours, sodium, calcium and magnesium as well as iron. Also, black currant is an important source of vitamin C and, to a lesser amount vitamins A and B3. Soil management systems showed highly significant differences in some the tested parameters. Black currants grown on black foil mulch gave the highest levels of K, P and Na, and those on sawdust mulch had a high content of vitamins C, A and B3. On the other hand, soil management system had no pronounced effect on the other vitamins and minerals analyzed. This study demonstrates degree of differences in the amount vitamins and mineral elements depending on the different soil management systems and climatic factors.