Phenolic and carotenoid profile of new goji cultivars and their anti hyperglycemic, anti-aging and antioxidant properties

The aim of the study was to analyze potential health-promoting components of 21 new cultivars of goji (Lycium barbarian L.). Polyphenols and carotenoids were identified by LC-MS-Q/TOF and quantified by UPLC-PDA. Moreover, vitamin C, sugar and organic acid profile, antioxidant (ABTS(+), FRAP) and in vitro antidiabetic potential (inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase) and anti-aging (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase BuChE) activity were evaluated. Some new cultivars contained high amounts of polyphenols (g8, g13 and g43) and carotenoids (g11, g26 and g12), and showed antioxidant (g8, g17, g22, g23), antidiabetic (g26), and anti-aging activity (g4, g6, g37). They were also content of vitamin C (2.39 to 6.24 mg/100 g), organic acids (1.95-4.30 g/100 g), and sugars (1.59-5.11 g/100 g). In conclusion, selected new cultivars might be used for the production of functional foods, as well as for medical or/and cosmetic purposes.