Characterization of Some Primary and Secondary Metabolites of Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) and the Study of Its Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

This study investigated the nutritional and antioxidant properties of blueberry leaves by analyzing their primary and secondary metabolites. The leaves were found to have high fiber content (32.67+-0.52g/100g), moderate protein (7.46+-0.48g/100g), and sugar levels (13.2+-1.04g/100g), with low lipid content of (0.455+-0.007g/100g),the moisture and ash contents were measured at (56.73+-0.34%) and (5.81+-0.60g/100g) . Secondary metabolites, including total polyphenols and flavonoids, were extracted using ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol. The ethyl acetate extract yielded the highest concentrations of both compounds and showed the strongest antioxidant activity in ABTS and DPPH assays. HPLC analysis revealed several bioactive phenolic compounds such as myricetin and p-coumaric acid. These findings suggest that blueberry leaves are a promising source of natural antioxidants for use in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products