The Potentiality of Non Timber Forest Products. Fruit Availability, Phytochemical Properties of Rosa rubiginosa L. Rose Hips

Abstract

We evaluated fruit availability, phytochemical characteristics and mineral content of R. rubiginosa L. rose hips, at two experimental sites in San Luis province: Potrero de los Funes-El Volcán (PF-V) and Estancia Grande (EG). Plant density was 70 plants/ha (1 ha = 10,000 m2) in PF-V and 50 plants/ha in EG. Fruit availability (DF) in fresh fruits (FF) was 4.39 kg (PF-V) and 3.10 kg (EG) during March, and decreased during June. Ascorbic acid in FF increased during ripening period, peaking on late April, early May, and diminished 75% - 85% in dried fruits. Total soluble solids in FF ranged from 32.55 to 55.20 ˚Brix. Elements Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Zn and Cu, determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), were significant for human health. Dried fruits maintain a high level of ascorbic acid, a characteristic added to content of mineral elements, particularly calcium content, providing an important nutritional value to R. rubiginosa rose hips.