The results showed that the yield of extract (%), total phenolics (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in the strawberry and mulberry fruit cultivars at different maturity stages varied considerably (Table 1). As the fruit maturity progressed, the yield of extract (%), TPC and TFC of strawberry fruit increased from 8.5 to 53.3%, 491 to 1884 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g DW and 83–327 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively. Similar to our present finding, an increasing trend in total phenolics (216–290 mg GAE/100 g FW) as fruit maturity progressed in two strawberry cultivars has been reported by Pineli et al. [13]. Bohm et al. [40] found a TPC between 1800–2200 mg GAE/100 g while Piljac-Zegarac and Samec [41] reported values as high as 335 mg GAE/100 g FW in ripe strawberries. In another study conducted by Lin and Tang [32], the TFC (14.6 mg QE/100 g FW) of ripened strawberries was found to be in close agreement with that determined in fully ripened samples of the present work.

Significant variation was also observed in the yield of extract (%), TPC and TFC of mulberry fruit. The highest yield of extract (%) was obtained for M. laevigata (12–54%) while the lowest was found for M. nigra (11–28%). The concentration of total phenolics (TP) was highest in M. nigra (395–2287 mg GAE/100 g DW) while it was lowest in M. laevigata (201–1803 mg GAE/100 g DW). Regarding TFC, M. nigra contained the highest (245–1021 mg CE/100 g DW) and M. macroura the lowest levels (145–249 mg CE/100 g DW).

TPC (223–257 mg GAE/100 g DW) and TFC (0.06–6.54 mg CE/100 g DW) as studied by Bae and Suh [42] in five Korean mulberry cultivars (Pachungsipyung, Whazosipmunja, Suwonnosang, Jasan, and Mocksang) were somewhat lower than our present results. Lin and Tang [32] found that Morus alba had 1515 mg GAE/100 g DW of TP. Similarly, in another study by Ercisli and Orhan [28], the amount of TP in different species of mulberry fruit varied from 181 (M. alba)–1422 (M. nigra) mg GAE/100 g FW and the total flavonoids (TF) from 29 (M. alba) to 276 (M. nigra) mg QE/100 g FW. As investigated previously by Imran et al. [43], the contents of TP in M. laevigata varied considerably (1100–1300 mg/100 g FW). TPC of the Morus alba fruit from Turkey ranged from 18.16 to 19.24 μg GAE/mg [44]. With few exceptions, these results are all within the range of our present data. The difference of phenolics (TPC and TFC) among different mulberry fruits might be linked to their varied genetic makeup as well as the extent of fruit maturity and ecological conditions of the harvest [26]. It has previously been reported that plant genotype [45], cultivation site and extraction technique [46] affect the total phenolic contents in berry group fruits.

Overall, a trend towards increase was observed in the yield of extract (%), TPC and TFC as strawberry and mulberry fruits progressed from un-ripened to fully-ripened stages. Likewise, Aminah and Anna [47] described the effect of different ripening stages on bitter gourd and observed an increase in TP as maturity progressed. In agreement to our findings, several authors reported an increase in the concentration of TP in different fruits such as Khirni [12], sweet cherry [11], Morinda citrifolia [14] and strawberry [13] as maturity progressed. However, an inverse trend for TPC was reported by some other authors in mushrooms [48] and strawberry fruits [9,10].

The data for the quantitative analysis of individual flavonols and phenolic acids in strawberry cultivar fruits at different maturity stages are presented in Table 2. Kaempferol was the dominant flavonol in strawberry followed by myricetin and quercetin (Figures 1,2). Kaempferol levels in the strawberry cultivar fruit during three maturity stages ranged from 19.9 to 98.1 mg/100 g DW. The kaempferol content of strawberry fruit in the present investigation was found to be higher than that previously reported, namely 0.6 to 1.3 mg/100 g [37], 10.8–43.7 mg/100 g [38] in fully-ripened strawberry fruits. In the present analysis of strawberry, the amounts of myricetin and quercetin varied from 12.8–28.5 and 1.4–11.2 mg/100 g DW, respectively.

In strawberry (Var. Korona and Tufts) the contents of flavonols (kaempferol, myricetin and quercetin) were mainly increased as the fruit maturity progressed from un-ripened to fully-ripened stages. Lugasi and Hovari [49] found that quercetin was present in strawberry at 5.3 mg/100 g whereas myricetin was present at 99.4 mg/100 g and kaempferol was not detected in strawberry samples. Cordenunsi et al. [3] reported the contents of quercetin and kaempferol in three strawberry cultivars to be in the range of 3.9–6.8 mg/100 g and 1.3–2.1 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Kevers et al., [50] described that strawberry contained kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin at the levels of 99, 123 and 979 μg/100 g FW, respectively. Fruits are an important source of dietary polyphenols in human nutrition and contribute significantly to the daily intake of polyphenols (32% of the daily intake of flavonols in Finland) [51]. Studies revealed that the total polyphenols (12–50 mg/g DW) in fruit is much higher than in vegetables (0.4–6.6 mg/g DW) and cereals (0.2–1.3 mg/g DW) [52].

The amount of individual phenolic acids in the tested fruits varied significantly (p < 0.05) in relation to different maturity stages. The major phenolic acids found in strawberry were p-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid (Figures 3, 4). The concentration of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in strawberry cultivars ranged from 21.4–65.4 mg/100 g DW, followed by p-coumaric (17.3–47.5 mg/100 g DW), gallic (6.8–24.6 mg/100 g DW), ferulic (7.6–24.1 mg/100 g DW), chlorogenic (11.5–18.2 mg/100 g DW) and vanillic (2.8–16.1 mg/100 g DW) acids from un-ripened to fully-ripened stage.

Previous studies reported methanol soluble cinnamic acid and p-hydroxycinnamic acid in strawberries to be the major components followed by caffeic acid and ferulic acid [2,51]. In another study, p-coumaric acid was found to be the predominant hydroxycinnamic acid as sugar esters in strawberries and raspberries and as free form in cloudberries [53]. As reported above [54], p-hydroxybenzoic and p-hydroxycinnamic were the most abundant phenolic acids in strawberry fruit, and occurred in almost equal quantities (ranging from 64.9–110.5 mg/100 g and 64.2–110.4 mg/100 g, respectively), which is comparable with our present results.

The amount of p-coumaric acid notably increased during maturity in strawberry cultivars [55]. The concentrations of chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids also increased during ripening of strawberry [38]. Ndri et al. [56] studied the phenolics in Ivorian Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) berries at different maturity stages and found that as the maturity progressed, the amount of phenolic acids increased. These trends are similar to those displayed in our present study.

Hybrid strawberry cultivated in Turkey [55] contained 4–58 mg/kg FW of p-coumaric acid, while Ecuador strawberry [57] contained 18 mg/kg FW. In another study of six Finnish strawberry types [46], the content of p-coumaric acid was 9–41 mg/kg FW showing comparable values with our present study. Hernanz et al. [58] assessed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) of phenolic acids among five strawberry cultivars grown in two different soilless systems. Ellagic and p-coumaric acids were the major phenolic acids found in the Finnish strawberry as reported by Hakkinen et al. [51]. Similar results were reported by Maatta-Riihinen et al. [53] and Cordenunsi et al. [3] in a commercial strawberry harvested from Brazil. In the case of p-coumaric acid, its level varied from 1.43 μg/g (cv. Diamante-CS) to 25.47 μg/g (cv. Ventana-CS) [58].

When comparing flavonoids, the cultivars analyzed in the present study were more promising in relation to beneficial effects on health, due to their higher content of flavonols. A wide variation of flavonoids in strawberry cultivars has been reported in the literature. These variations may be correlated to the varying genetic makeup of the varieties tested as well as to the post harvest conditions involved. In another related study, the effect of storage conditions on the flavonoid content was investigated, and the amount of quercetin was found to be increased while kaempferol and myricetin were decreased during storage at −20 °C [59]. Variation in flavonol content in fruits is strongly influenced by extrinsic factors such as fruit type and growth, season, climate, degree of ripeness, food preparation, and processing [60–63].

The data in Table 3 depicts the composition of flavonols and phenolic acids of mulberry fruits at different maturity stages. Morus laevigata had the highest amount of total flavonols (quercetin myricetin, kaempferol) followed by Morus nigra, M. alba and M. macroura. Kaempferol and quercetin amounts were highest in M. laevigata while myricetin was predominant in M. alba. The concentration of kaempferol increased with ripening, ranging from 9.8 mg/100 g (un-ripened) to 56.1 mg/100 g (fully-ripened) and quercetin ranged from 7.0 mg/100 g (un-ripened) to 145.7 mg/100 g (fully-ripened) for M. laevigata. The myricetin content increased from un-ripened to semi-ripened stages (11.5–22.3 mg/100 g), and then slightly decreased at the fully-ripened stage (20.0 mg/100 g). In M. macroura and M. alba, the concentration of kaempferol was decreased from the un-ripened to fully-ripened stage while the reverse trend was observed for myricetin. Meanwhile, M. alba showed a decreasing trend (1.3–0.7 mg/100 g) as the fruit progressed from un-ripened to fully-ripened stage. The level of flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin) in M. nigra increased from un-ripened to semi-ripened stage (8.56–56.62, 8.10–43.46, 52.57–63.30 mg/100 g) and then decreased at fully-ripened stage (31.67, 11.75, 56.10 mg/100 g).

Compositional changes of flavonols during ripening due to several biotic and abiotic factors significantly affected their accumulation in berries and grapes [64]. Consequently, the time when the fruit is picked has a strong impact on the flavonol content. Bilyk and Sapers [65] reported a positive correlation between flavonol contents and blackberry maturity from red to black (quercetin content 9.01–15.8 mg/100 g FW and kaempferol content 0.7–1.74 mg/100 g FW). In another study conducted by Vuorinen et al. [63], the level of flavonol glycosides in black currants was increased significantly during berry ripening. With increasing degree of ripening, the content of quercetin and kaempferol was found to be enhanced for both the investigated years in strawberry cultivar Honeoye, whereas a smaller difference was seen in the cultivar Senga Sengana [38]. The above reported studies by different authors support our present findings which reveal that as the maturity progresses the contents of flavonol also increases.

The major phenolic acids found in mulberry species were: p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (Table 3). Morus laevigata and M. nigra contained higher amounts of p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid while M. macroura and M. alba showed p-hydroxy-benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid as the major phenolic acids. The overall trends of phenolic acids in mulberry species were similar to those recorded for strawberry (Table 2). The concentration (mg/100 g DW) of vanillic acid increased as maturity progressed from un-ripened to fully-ripened stages in the tested mulberry species: M. laevigata (8.5–21.1) M. macroura (3.2–16.1) M. alba (1.7–5.7) and M. nigra (6.1–18.3), respectively. Among different mulberry species, M. laevigata was found to be higher in p-coumaric, ferulic, p-hydroxy-benzoic, chlorogenic and gallic acids with a contribution of 15.9–27.3, 12.4–17.2, 1.1–7.3, 3.4–12.9 and 5.2–14.2 mg/100 g DW, respectively at un-ripened to fully-ripened stages.

M. macroura was found to be rich in p-coumaric (5.1–13.2 mg/100 g DW), ferulic (6.3–13.4 mg/100 g DW), p-hydroxy-benzoic (5.1–24.1 mg/100 g DW), chlorogenic (4.2–23.2 mg/100 g DW) and gallic acid (4.2–9.8 mg/100 g DW) from un-ripened to fully ripened stage. M. alba also contained slightly lower amounts of these phenolic acids except for ferulic acid which was not found in this cultivar. Para-coumaric, ferulic, chlorogenic and gallic acids in M. nigra were in the range of 4.2–21.2, 2.4–7.5, 2.5–6.8 and 2.5–8.3 mg/100 g DW, respectively, while p-hydroxy-benzoic acid (5.3 mg/100 g DW) was detected only at fully-ripened stages.

Memon et al. [66] described the composition of phenolic acids in mulberry (Morus laevigata W., M. nigra L., M. alba L.) fruits grown in Pakistan: Chlorogenic (20.5 mg/100 g) and p-hydroxybenzoic acids (15.3 mg/100 g) were the predominant compounds in M. alba whereas p-coumaric acid (8.7 mg/100 g) was found to be higher in M. nigra. However, different phenolic acids were evenly distributed in M. laevigata. These data on Morus species are in agreement with those we determined in the present analysis.

Phenolic compounds are important bioactives and their content in fruits represents an important fruit quality parameter [67]. Some earlier studies [33,51,55] showed that consumption of the strawberry and mulberry fruits may have a positive impact on the human health, which might be linked to the amounts of polyphenolics in these fruits. The increasing importance of functional ingredients in food pushes plant sciences to increase health-promoting phytochemicals in fruit crops. Higher intakes of flavonoids and other antioxidant compounds from food are associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Some experimental studies indicate that several plant flavonols, such as quercetin, myricetin, and rutin, are more powerful antioxidants than traditional vitamins and have antitumor properties. The challenge is how to increase the levels of these beneficial phytochemicals in different foods for optimal nutrition. Currently the use of modern biotechnological techniques, such as genetic engineering, to produce transgenic plants with enhanced amounts of valuable bioactives [68] as well as exogenous applications of organic osmolytes, such as glycerinbetaine and proline, to increase the levels of antioxidant and phenolics in different food crops [69,70] are fascinating.

In this study, fruit samples of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars (Korona and Tufts) and mulberry (M. alba, M. nigra, M. macroura, M. laevigata) at un-ripened, semi-ripened and fully-ripened stages were collected from the Lahore and Faisalabad region during April-July, 2009. The selection of the fruits at different maturity stages was based upon their color and texture (Table 4). The fruits of strawberry and mulberry were hot air dried to constant mass. The dried samples were ground (80 mesh size) and then preserved in polyethylene bags. Three different samples for each of the fruit cultivar at each maturity stages were assayed.

In the research work, p-coumaric, vanillic, chlorogenic, p-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic and gallic (phenolic acids standards), kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin (flavonol standards), and ter-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) were acquired from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, MO, USA). HPLC grade methanol, acetonitrile and all other chemicals used in this study were purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). Stock samples of flavonol and phenolic acids were prepared in methanol at concentrations of 200 mg/L. Working samples were diluted with the corresponding mobile phase to 10 mg/L. Samples were passed through a 0.45 μm nylon filter membrane (MSI) before injection. Both stock and working samples were stored in a refrigerator at 4 °C in darkness. The calibration curves were constructed using peak area vs. concentration.

In view of varying degrees of fruit moisture among the species analyzed, all calculations were made on a dry matter basis. Dry matter determination was made according to AOAC procedure (method 925.10). Briefly, 5 g of the sample was dried in an electric oven at 105 °C until a constant weight was recorded.

The ground material (10 g) of strawberry and mulberry fruit at each maturity stage was extracted separately with 100 mL of 80% aqueous methanol (80:20) for 6 h at room temperature in an orbital shaker (Gallenkamp, UK). The extracts were separated from the residues by filtering through Whatmann No. 1 filter paper. The residues were re-extracted twice with the same fresh solvent. The recovered extracts were combined and freed of solvent under reduced pressure at 45 °C using a rotary evaporator (EYELA, SB-651, Rikakikai Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan). The crude extracts were quantitatively transferred into a sample vial and stored in a refrigerator until used for further experiments.

The amount of total phenolics was determined by using the previously mentioned method of Chaovanalikit and Wrolstad [71], with slight changes. Briefly, the crude extract (1 mg) was mixed with tenfold diluted 2 N Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (1.0 mL) and 0.5 mL de-ionized water. The mixture was kept at room temperature for 10 min, and then 0.8 mL of Na₂CO₃ (7.5% w/v) was added. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 40 °C for 20 min and then cooled in an ice bath; absorbance was measured at 760 nm using a spectrophotometer. Amounts of TP were calculated using a gallic acid calibration curve within the concentration range of 10–100 ppm (R² = 0.9986). The results were expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE mg/100 g DW). All samples were analyzed thrice and results averaged.

The total flavonoids were measured colorimetrically following a previously reported method [72]. In summary, the crud extract (5 mg) of each selected fruit was diluted with 5 mL distilled water in a 10 mL test tube. Initially, 0.3 mL of 5% NaNO₂ was added to each test tube; after 5 min, 0.6 mL of 10% AlCl₃ was added; after 5 min, 2 mL of 1.0 M NaOH was added. Absorbance of the reaction mixture was measured at 510 nm using a spectrophotometer. TFC were determined as catechin equivalents (CE mg/100 g DW). Three readings were taken for each sample and results averaged.

Extraction/hydrolysis of flavonols and phenolic acids was carried out using the method described by Sultana and Anwar [39]. In summary, 25 mL of acidified methanol containing 1% (v/v) HCl and 0.5 mg/mL BHT as an antioxidant were added to the ground fruit material (5 g) in a refluxing flask. Then 5 mL of HCl (1.2 M) was added and the mixture was stirred at 90 °C under reflux for 2 h to obtain aglycons of flavonol glycosides and to convert bound phenolic acids into free forms. The extract was cooled to room temperature and centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 min. The upper layers were taken and sonicated for 5 min to remove any air present in the extract. The final extracts were filtered through a 0.45-μm (Millipore) filter before they were analysed by HPLC. Phenolic acids and flavonols were separated and quantified following HPLC conditions.

Chromatographic analysis was carried out on an Agilent 1100-series HPLC system equipped with a Quaternary pump (G1311A Quat pump), vacuum degasser (G1379A), auto-sampler/auto-injector (G1313A ALS), column compartment (G1316A Colcom) and DAD detector (G1315B DAD). An Agilent Chem Station was used to process chromatographic data.

A Hibar^® RP-C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μ particle size) from Merck Company (Merck KGaA, 64271 Darmstadt, Germany) thermostated at 25 °C was used for separation. The mobile phase (50% tri-fluoroacetic acid (0.3%), 30% acetonitrile and 20% methanol) for flavonols and 40% tri-fluoroacetic acid (0.3%), 40% acetonitrile and 20% methanol for phenolic acids were added at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The mobile phase was filtered through a Nylon membrane filter (47 mm, 0.45 mm) and was degassed by sonication before elution. Isocratic and gradient elution and detection at 360 and 280 nm were selected for separation and detection of flavonols and phenolic acids, respectively. The compound identification was carried out by comparison of their retention times with those of authentic standards. The additional identification was carried out by spiking the extracts with phenolic standards.

Each fruit (strawberry and mulberry) was analysed at each maturity stage and in triplicate. Data were reported as mean ± SD. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Minitab 2000 Version 13.2 statistical software (Minitab Inc., State College, PA, USA). A probability value of p < 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant difference.