Aronia Melanocarpa (Chokeberry)

Chemical Composition

To understand the beneficial health effects of the Aronia berry, a brief review of the chemical composition of the Aronia berry is helpful.  The chemical composition of Aronia Melanocarpa (berries or fresh pressed juice) contains high sorbitol and polyphenols. 

1. Fiber                   
   Aronia berries contain dietary fiber 5.62 gm/100gm fresh weight.
   
   
2. Organic Acids  
   The total content of organic acid is relatively low compared with other berries; it lies around 1-1.5 % of Fresh Weight.
   
   
3. Sugar   
   The content of reducing sugar in fresh berries is between 16-18%.  The sum of glucose and fructose is between 13-17 gm/100gm of Fresh Weight.  Sucrose is not present.  Sorbitol is in the range of 80gm in freshly pressed juice, and 56 gm / l in pasteurized juice.  Sorbitol is a sugar substitute often used in diet foods and is known to act as a weak non-stimulant laxative.
   
   
4. Fat        
   The total fat content of the berries is approximately 0.14gm/100 gm of Fresh Weight.  The seeds contain 19.3gm/ glyceride oil with linoleic acid as the main fatty acid.  The content of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine is 2.83gm/kg.
   
   
5. Protein 
   The protein fraction is approximately 6-7 gm/100gm of Fresh Weight.  Asparagine is the main compound in freshly pressed Aronia juice.  Please refer to table 1. 
   
   
6. Minerals & Vitamins 
   Aronia juice contains potassium, zinc, and vitamins B, B2, B6, and C (See summary with table).