Nutritive composition and functionality of wild cornelian cherry fruit

In this study, physicochemical characteristics, mineral and polyphenolic composition, and anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of wild cornelian cherry fruits from two regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were determined. Values of flesh weight and fruit:flesh ratio were higher for samples from the western region. Samples from the southern region had significantly higher (p ≤ .05) dry matter, total sugar and pectin content, as well as color parameters L* and a*, whereas samples from the western region had significantly higher (p ≤ .05) total acidity. Significant content of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were determined in all samples. A higher content of flavonols was found in the samples of cornelian cherries from the southern region, whereas a higher content of flavan‐3‐ols and anthocyanins was found in the samples from the western region. All cornelian cherry fruit samples showed anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Polyphenolic components had significant (p ≤ .05) antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli cultures. Novelty impact statement The wild cornelian cherries are widespread in the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but so far, it has not been fully explored, and the results presented in this paper provide new findings. The ethanolic extract of all tested cornelian cherry samples had a significant amount of essential macrominerals, whereas heavy metal cadmium was not found and lead was found only in traces. All ethanolic extracts exhibited high antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory activity, and the content of flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols, and anthocyanins was found to depend on the growth region.