Morphological and phytochemical characterization of Rosa sweginzowii fruit from Poland.

The morphological and chemical characterization of Rosa sweginzowii Koehne fruit, which belongs to the Rosa section (formerly Cinnamomeae), as a source of valuable bioactive compounds is presented. The chemical composition of rose hips was evaluated in terms of the total content of anthocyanins (TAC), phenolics (TPC), and flavonoids (TFC) by spectrophotometry, and ellagic acid concentration by spectrofluorimetry (as borax complex). Morphology of fruit in macro- and microscale (by Scanning Electron Microscopy) and the presence of selected elements by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy were examined. The free ellagic acid content was found at a high level (16.101–24.465 mg/100g dw), and the one of total ellagic acid, after hydrolysis, was in the range of 20.244–29.771 mg/100g dw. Estimated TAC, TPC and TFC were 0.43–7.40 mg CGE/100g, 18 559–27 404 mg GAE/100g, and 10 293–14 159 mg CE/100g, respectively. Regarding the presence of valuable natural antioxidants in R. sweginzowii fruit, this plant could be used as functional food. • The morphological characterization of Rosa sweginzowii was presented. • R. sweginzowii was found to be the rich source of free ellagic acid. • TPC, TFC, TAC values proved the nutritional properties of R. sweginzowii rose hips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]