Evaluation of Morphological, Chemical, and Antioxidant Characteristics, and Phenolic Profile of Three Goji Berry Varieties Cultivated in Southwestern Spain

Agricultural diversification represents an important strategy for promoting sustainability and resilience in rural regions. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) have emerged as a promising alternative crop due to their high nutritional and functional potential. In this sense, the search for new crops to diversify the production in southwestern Spain is of main interest for farmers to adapt their productions to consumers claims and to climate change, having alternatives to the classical crops (olives, grapes for wine, etc.). This study evaluated several quality related parameters of three goji berry varieties cultivated in the southwest of Spain. Texture profile analysis (TPA) and puncture tests revealed varietal differences in firmness, cohesiveness, and springiness, influenced by genotype and harvesting time. Other morphological and quality parameters such as moisture, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and color were also affected. Significant differences in antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays) were found among the varieties and harvesting times, with NQ7 exhibiting the highest values. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by LC–HRMS/MS, detecting 33 compounds, with most belonging to the hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols and flavanones families. NQ7 presented the highest total phenolic content (74.787 mg/100 g DW), with rutin, coumaric acid derivatives, and naringenin as major contributors. The correlation analysis confirmed a strong relationship between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Overall, the results indicated that goji berries grown in southwestern Spain exhibited favorable quality and bioactive profiles, supporting their suitability for sustainable production and commercialization, including further applications as functional food ingredients.