Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of combination bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and propolis as beverage


Ufuk S., ŞENGÜL M., Karakutuk I. A., YILMAZ B.

Cogent Food and Agriculture, cilt.12, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/23311932.2026.2667547
  • Dergi Adı: Cogent Food and Agriculture
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Propolis, bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), functional beverage, antioxidant activity, phenolic profile
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study developed a novel functional beverage by enriching a bilberry drink with propolis extracts and evaluating its physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial and phenolic properties. Color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, H°) varied depending on the type of propolis extract and extraction method. Soluble solid content ranged from 10.90 to 11.03°Bx, pH from 2.72 to 2.98, and titratable acidity from 0.26 to 0.34 g malic acid/100 mL. Total phenolic content (462.80–948.58 mg GAE/L), total flavonoids (440.72–1365.07 mg QE/L), and FRAP values (19.55–59.48 µmol TE/mL) indicated strong antioxidant potential. DPPH and ABTS assays showed antioxidant activity between 7.99–16.43 µmol TE/mL and 3.10–5.37 µmol TE/mL, respectively. Total monomeric anthocyanins ranged from 56.31–71.40 mg/L, while HMF levels were 8.57 to 19.54 mg/L. Sugar content varied across samples, with total sugars between 7.96–20.22 g/100 mL. Phenolic analysis identified compounds such as gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids, along with flavonoids like naringin, myricetin, quercetin, and naringenin, and resveratrol. GC-MS results showed that furan compounds were the dominant chemical class. Overall, propolis enrichment enhanced phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and functional value, suggesting strong potential as a healthier beverage alternative.