Fruit attributes, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa, 'Favette') grown by biodynamic and conventional agriculture methods

The fruit characteristics, level of some phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonols) and antioxidant capacity were determined in strawberries (Fragaria ananassa L., ‘Favette’) grown by conventional and biodynamic agricultural methods. In addition, the in vitro bioactivity of biodynamic and conventional strawberry extracts, in terms of antiproliferative activities in human colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells, was also evaluated. The strawberry extracts of both the cultivation types inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 cells in a concentrationdependent manner, with biodynamic strawberries exhibiting the highest antiproliferative activity. Biodynamic strawberries showed a markedly higher concentration of phenolic acids and slightly higher amounts of both quercetin and kaempferol compared with conventional strawberries. Although strawberries are an important vehicle of bioactive molecules, being a rich source of phenolic substances, a clear correlation between antiproliferative activity and these compounds or antioxidant activity was not observed. Studies to further characterize antioxidant/bioactive profiles in biodynamic strawberries compared with conventional strawberries are necessary to explain the observed differences in the antiproloferative capacity