Original Article Characterization of Old Apple Cultivars from Bosnia and Herzegovina by Means of Pomological and Biochemical Analysis Sanda STANIVUKOVIĆ 1 *, Milan ŽUJIĆ 2 , Mirjana ŽABIĆ 2 , Nikola MIĆIĆ 2 , Borut BOSANČIĆ 2 , Gordana ĐURIĆ 1 1 University of Banja Luka, Genetic Resources Institute, Bulevar vojvode Petra Bojovića 1a, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; sanda.stanivuković@griunibl.rs.ba (*corresponding author); gordana.djuric@griunibl.rs.ba 2 University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Agriculture, Bulevar vojvode Petra Bojovića 1a, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; mzujic@yahoo.o ; mirjana.zabic@agrofabl.org; nikola.micic@agrofabl.org; borut.bosancic@agrofabl.org Abstract The assessment of quality of old apple varieties was made in order to preserve and use these germplasm in the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The characterization was done for ten old varieties of apples selected on the basis of good characteristics of sensory analysis. The following parameters were considered: fruit weight, fruit length and width, stalk length and width, fruit flesh firmness; soluble solids content and total dry matter content of the fruit juice; pH, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant potential evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Statistical analysis was performed separately for sensory, pomological and biochemical characterization (in two consecutive years) by analysis of variance. Only traits such as weight, width and height of the fruit were the biggest in ‘Vinjugara’ which had a low content of titratable acidity whereby it could be singled out as an acceptable variety for consumers. ‘Đedovača’ had the highest content of phenols (1711.8 mg GAE/100 g of fruit weight), which is in complete relationship with good free radical scavenging activity (11.1 mg of fresh fruit/ml). ‘Kolačara’ and ‘Gospoinjača’ were distinguished as particularly interesting for good nutritional characteristics, primarily the content of phenols, flavonoids and free radical scavenging ability, but also for suitable storage characteristics, °Brix content and firmness. Due to favourable pomological and biochemical characteristics these varieties were recommended to be included in the breeding program that will result in the enrichment of germplasm of the apples from these areas. Keywords: Malus × domestica Borkh, biodiversity, fruit quality, pomology, biochemical characterization Available online: www.notulaebotanicae.ro Print ISSN 0255-965X; Electronic 1842-4309 Not Bot Horti Agrobo, 2017, 45(1):97-104. DOI:10.15835/nbha45110537 Introduction The current climate changes, as well as the possibility of appearance of new pests, represent a real threat to the survival and profitability of commercial production of fruits. Local and old varieties are generally suppressed from production although their value in terms of biodiversity is extremely high (Đurić et al ., 2014). Over the past thirty years, attention has been devoted to the collection, conservation and evaluation of apple diversity, with two main purposes: to conserve a wide genetic variability for breeding programs and to extend the exploitation of old varieties in organic or integrated fruit production (Kellerhals et al ., 2004). Local and old varieties, as opposed to commercial varieties, often carry specific and uncommon properties that are interesting to a smaller number of consumers. Therefore, in order for these varieties to return to small production (niche markets), it is important that consumers understand the kind of properties that distinguish them from standard varieties on the market (Mitre et al ., 2009; Dan et al ., 2015 ). Re- introduction of these varieties into production, i.e. sustainable usage, represents the best way to preserve this germplasm for future generations (Bignami et al ., 2003). A selection of varieties for re-cultivation, is dependent on their properties (taste, color, firmness, ripening time, suitability for storing), which is why it is extremely important for these varieties to be evaluated. Because of all this, the work on conservation and characterization of old and local varieties is intense in most countries and institutes (Mratinić and Fortirić Akšić, 2011). Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely rich in fruit germplasm (Paunović et al ., 1997; Đurić et al ., 2009; Gaši et al ., 2010), as an area which has been exposed to migrations and the influence of different cultures for cenruries. The mixing of influences of the East and the West and the introduction of new germplasm from differ ent areas is particularly evident in the area of BiH (Đurić et al. , 2009). In such a richness of fruit plants, a lot of old varieties of apples have survived (Beširević, 2009; Đurić et al ., 2009; Gaši et al ., 2010), although an organized collection work and evaluation of this germplasm does not go far back into the past. As a result of this work, only a few collections of apples were created, including the most important ones in Srebrenik and Banja Luka. In the collection in Srebrenik, which was built in 2000, there are 60 new accessions of apple (Gaši et al ., 2010), whereas in the collection of Banja Luka, which was built in 2013, there are 84 old, local and/or Received: 19 Aug 2016. Received in revised form: 23 Dec 2016. Accepted: 01 Feb 2017. Published online: 17 Mar 2017.