Preliminary results on the polyphenol content of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. 'Florida Fortuna') fruits during ripening

Strawberries are a common and important fruit worldwide and its production and consumption increases year after year. One of the most important reasons for this constant growth of the industry is that recent studies have shown that strawberry fruits are rich in health benefit compounds such as antioxidant and polyphenolic compounds. According to recent epidemiological studies, many beneficial compounds play a crucial role in the prevention of several diseases, particularly, cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and other chronic pathologies. The contents of those compounds can vary according to genotype, ecological conditions, cultural applications and ripen stages. The aim of this investigation was to characterize strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. 'Florida Fortuna') fruits content in phenolic and bioactive compounds during various ripening (green, pink, ripe) stages by HPLC techniques.