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Variation of anthocyanin and flavonol in Vaccinium uliginosum berry from seven locations in the Lesser Khingan Mountains was examined for the first time. A total of 14 anthocyanins and 10 flavonols were identified using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS(2) analysis. The composition of anthocyanins and flavonols in berries were the same in all of the locations investigated. Malvidin 3-O-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin, and quercetin 3-O-galactoside was the main flavonol compound. The berries from Wuying region had the highest concentrations of both anthocyanins and flavonols. It was found that the concentrations of both anthocyanins and flavonols increased with rising altitude. Furthermore, the concentrations of polyphenols, and especially anthocyanins, in V. uliginosum berry showed significant positive correlation with antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH, ABTS(+) and FRAP assays. This study is valuable for further basic research and applied development of V. uliginosum in the Lesser Khingan Mountains., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Greater Khingan Mountains region is the largest natural distribution area of wild Vaccinium uliginosum L. in China. V. uliginosum berries from 16 representative geographical origins in this region were systematically investigated in this study. The anthocyanin and flavonol contents and the antioxidant capacities of V. uliginosum berries measured in this study were generally higher than those reported from previous studies investigating berries from other regions of China, but significant variations were detected. Significant positive correlations were detected between the bioactive component content in fresh berry peels of V. uliginosum and latitude. Our results indicated that the ‘Greater Khingan Mountains’ can be used as a geographical indication for V. uliginosum berries produced in this region to reflect their high bioactive component content. However, we suggest that some more specific geographical indications should be used to ensure quality control and to label V. uliginosum with superior bioactive component content, such as V. uliginosum from locations L14 and L15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]