Nutritional Composition, Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Bilberry, Lingonberry, and Blueberry Cultivars.

Berries of the Vaccinium genus are valued for their nutritional and bioactive potential; however, differences among species and cultivars remain insufficiently characterized. This study compared the proximate composition, phenolic profiles, fatty acids, mineral content, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus "Natural"), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea "Linnea" and "Sanna"), and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum "Spartan," "Bluecrop," and "Chandler"). Bilberry showed the highest total phenolic content, anthocyanin concentration, antioxidant activity, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and antifungal activity. Lingonberries combined moderate-to-high antioxidant capacity with elevated mineral levels, favorable n6/n3 ratios, and potent inhibition of Candida species. Blueberries were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and exhibited distinct phenolic acid profiles. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between phenolic content and antioxidant activity, as well as antifungal activity. Principal component analysis distinguished bilberry for its phenolic-PUFA dominance, lingonberry for its phenolic-mineral balance, and blueberries for their MUFA-rich profiles. These findings demonstrate that cultivar-specific biochemical traits underpin functional differences, presenting bilberries and lingonberries as promising candidates for sustainable and health-focused foods and blueberries as a potential option enriched in MUFA for targeted health applications.