Seasonal and Environmental Influences on Free Sugar and Amino Acid Profiles of <i>Lycium barbarum</i> Berries Cultivated in Southern Tuscany.

ABSTRACT: Lycium barbarum L. (Goji) berries are highly valued for their nutritional and nutraceutical properties, largely due to their sugar and amino acid content. This study analyzed organically cultivated berries from southern Tuscany (Italy), sampled across four ripening stages (July-November). Free sugars were measured over 3 years (2018-2020), and amino acids over two (2019-2020). Fully ripe berries (S4) exhibited high levels of glucose (80.2 ± 19.3 mg/g FW), fructose (75.5 ± 18.1 mg/g FW), and pectins (46.3 ± 16.1 mg/g FW), while sucrose remained low. Seasonal and interannual trends revealed progressive increases in glucose, fructose, pectins, and ethanol (up to 15.9 mg/g FW), positively correlated with precipitation and negatively with temperature. Total free amino acids averaged 3.21

SUBMITTER: Poggioni L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12920261 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature