Nutritional, phytochemical, and bioactive prospects of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and saskatoon berry (Amelanchier ovalis) grown in the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Chocoberry and saskatoon berry from Kazakhstan were characterized. • They were rich in sugars and organic acids. • 20 phenolics were determined in A. melanocarpa , 25 in A. ovalis . • Hydroethanolic extracts showed antioxidant and antibacterial properties. • The data highlighted the value of these Kazakhstan-originating berries. Berries are consumed worldwide, but recently, they have attracted more attention due to their valuable phytochemical profiles and diverse applications. This study comprehensively characterized the saskatoon berry ( Amelanchier ovalis ) and black chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa ) from Kazakhstan, documenting their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. Nutritional analysis showed proteins at 2.52±0.2 g/100 g DW in A. melanocarpa and 4.22±0.1 g/100 g DW in A. ovalis . Sixteen phenolic compounds were identified in A. melanocarpa and twenty-one in A. ovalis , with chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and cyanidin derivatives predomination. Sugars, organic acids, and tocopherols were also abundant. Both berries exhibited potent antioxidant activity (EC 50 : 0.35±0.02 mg/mL for A. ovalis , 3.9 ± 0.1 mg/mL for A. melanocarpa through TBARS assay) and antimicrobial properties against foodborne strains. These findings highlight these species' phytochemical and nutrient richness, emphasizing the value of Kazakhstan-originating berries.