The antioxidant properties of exotic fruit juices from acai, maqui berry and noni berries

Various natural sources of antioxidants, which may help defy oxidative stress and thereby reduce the risk of many diseases, are being searched for. Exotic fruits and good quality exotic fruit juices can be an alternative to many berries grown in Europe. This paper presents the antioxidant properties and composition of polyphenols of acai, maqui berry and noni juices. Then they were compared to local juices rich in polyphenols, such as elderberry, raspberry and blueberry juices. The research has shown that the highest antioxidant capacity possessed acai juice among the exotic juices and elderberry juice among the local ones. The same two juices had the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids. Noni and maqui berry juices were inferior to acai and elderberry juices in this respect, and did not surpass considerably the qualities of raspberry and blueberry juices. The highest content of total anthocyanins was detected in elderberry juice. Exotic acai juice contains the highest levels of flavonols (mainly catechins) as well as ferulic and chlorogenic acids. Concluding, juices from exotic acai, noni and maqui berry fruits, because of their antioxidant properties, can be an interesting alternative to local juices. Acai juice seems to be the most valuable, in particular.