Developing novel methods of analysis for antioxidants in blueberries using high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

Blueberries have become a staple of modern food culture, with their influence spreading throughout the world, improving the health of its consumers, creating local jobs, and subsequently boosting the economy at both the international and local levels. This presence is largely due to the vast array of beneficial phytochemicals which provide numerous health benefits. Unfortunately, due to environmental challenges largely brought about by climate change, unprecedented changes are occurring in blueberry production. Effectively, growing the required yield of blueberries is becoming harder using traditional farming practices. Subsequently, farmers rely on more extreme methods of blueberry production, such as using artificial lights or greenhouses to inflate growth rates or otherwise resort to selling subpar blueberries. Such practices have a distinct effect on the quality of the final product. As a result, there is a critical need for analytical techniques capable of profiling the phytochemicals within the blueberry to act as a means of quality control and authentication. However, current methods of blueberry analysis are typically complex, usually requiring both expensive equipment and experts to conduct the analysis, making them unsuitable for widespread use. Hence, the current research aims to develop a means of blueberry antioxidant (as an indicator of phytochemical content) analysis that is simple and cost-effective while remaining analytically robust. In effect, this will allow for the widespread and easy implementation of a quality control/authentication technique.

Date of Award	2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Andrew Shalliker (Supervisor)