Mineral Composition of Cultivated and Wild Strawberry Fruits

Strawberry fruits are rich in beneficial substances and have both industrial and medical applications. The aim of this study was to compare the macro- and micro-element composition of cultivated and wild strawberry fruits growing in various microclimatic zones of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. While both wild strawberries and the 'San Andreas' cultivar—grown under different environmental conditions—are rich in macro- and micro-elements essential for the human body, the specific content of these elements depends on various factors: cultivation and care practices, soil type and structure, and climatic conditions. Therefore, these various conditions must be taken into account when cultivating the crop.

The study found only minor differences in the levels of certain micro-elements (aluminum, boron, beryllium, iron, molybdenum, nickel, and titanium) in 'San Andreas' fruits; however, levels of barium, copper, lithium, manganese, and zinc were higher in strawberries grown in the village of Gantiadi. The strawberry fruits were free of toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Wild strawberries exhibited a superior macro-element profile. Elements such as cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, titanium, beryllium, and antimony were absent in wild strawberries, whereas boron, manganese, and silicon were the predominant micro-elements compared to the 'San Andreas' variety.