Effect of Selenium Application on Quality, Phytochemical Composition and Mineral Content Properties of Red Currant ( Ribes rubrum L.) and Jostaberry ( Ribes x nidigrolaria Bauer)

Selenium is an essential mineral for both humans and animals. Around 0.5 - 1 billion individuals globally suffer from selenium de fi ciency, which can result in a range of illnesses. Hence, the cultivation of selenium-enriched agricultural items can serve as a potent strategy to mitigate selenium de fi ciency. This study aimed to examine the effect of selenium on the quality, and phytochemical and mineral content of red currant (Red Lake) and jostaberry. The study was conducted in 2022 and 2023. Different doses of selenium (0, 4, and 8 mg center dot kg- 1 ) were sprayed on the fruits three times with 10-days intervals starting from the fi rst formation of the fruits after fl ow- ering. Upon completion of the study, various factors were assessed including cluster and berry properties, water-soluble dry matter content, pH levels, titratable acid content, ascorbic acid levels, antioxidant activity, and total phenolics content. The mineral composition of the fruit peel, pulp, and seed was also measured. In jostaberry, the highest values of cluster weight, cluster height, and 100-berry weight were obtained with 8 mg center dot kg- 1 selenium application. As the selenium dosage increased, the levels of ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content increased, with the highest values determined to be 0.063 mg center dot mL- 1 , 63.23% DPPH, and 3752.22 mg center dot g- 1 , respectively, at 8 mg center dot kg- 1 . In the Red Lake variety, it has been determined that the 4 mg center dot kg- 1 dose is effective in terms of cluster weight, cluster width, and cluster height attributes. The highest values for ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content were determined to be 0.029 mg center dot mL- 1 , 53.42% DPPH, and 3117.17 mg center dot g- 1 , respectively, at the 4 mg center dot kg- 1 dose. The selenium content was found to be highest in the peel and pulp of jostaberry at 8 mg center dot kg- 1 , and in Red Lake, it was obtained at the 4 mg center dot kg- 1 application. As a result, an 8 mg center dot kg- 1 dose of selenium could be recommended for jostaberry, and a 4 mg center dot kg- 1 dose could be recommended for Red Lake.