LAUSR

Abstract This study reveals the positive effect of a new process, consisting to grind and to sieve, on the improvement of the phytochemical properties of superfine powders of cherry (Prunus avium L.), peach (Prunus persica L.) and damson (Prunus domestica subsp. Insititia L.). Four Granulometric classes: 180, 180–315, 315–500, >500 μm and unsieved superfine powders were selected. Their antioxidant activities (AA) were evaluated using ABTS and DPPH assays. Phenolic compounds and malic acid were quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with UV detector and mass spectrometry (LC-UV-ESI/MS). The 180–315 μm fraction of cherry exhibited the highest AA: 59.4 and 149.8 mg trolox equivalent/g dry weight, using DPPH and ABTS, respectively. The >500 μm fraction of peach and damson showed the best AA; in peach: 49.2 and 148.2 mg TE/g dw and in damson: 27.6 and 86.5 mg TE/g dw using DPPH and ABTS, respectively. In cherry and damson, the 180–315 μm fraction had maximum malic acid content: 4.57 and 3.85 mg/g dw, respectively. In peach, malic acid was concentrated in the >500 μm fraction: 3.72 mg/g dw. Results showed that this new process improves the phytochemical properties of these fruits superfine powders, under specific particle sizes.