(+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin in Bulgarian fruits

Fifteen different fruits were analyzed. (+)-Catechin and (-)-epicatechin were determined with RP-HPLC and fluorescence detection. The LOD and LOQ are 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively. The uncertainty of determination is (Delta) over baru = +/- 0.3 mg/kg for (+)-catechin and (Delta) over baru = +/- 0.8 mg/kg for (+)epicatechin. (+)-Catechin content in Bulgarian fruits varies from 108.3 mg/kg in black grape to 3.7 mg/kg in pears. (-)-Epicatechin range is from < 0.3mg/kg in fig to 87.0mg/kg in black grape. The catechins content in Bulgarian fruits are topped by black grape and apricot, 195.3 and 156.0mg/kg, respectively. The data will be included in the National Food Composition Table and could be used in regional network database systems for exchange of data. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.