Multivariate analysis of the pomological traits, biochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and mineral content of strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) fruits.

The strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) is an underutilized Mediterranean fruit species with considerable potential as a source of nutritionally valuable and functionally important bioactive compounds. In the present study, 30 naturally growing genotypes collected from Defne district of Hatay Province, Türkiye, were comprehensively evaluated over two consecutive growing seasons (2024 and 2025) to determine the extent of variation in fruit pomological traits, color parameters, biochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and mineral content. Fruit width, fruit length, fruit weight, CIELAB color coordinates (L*, a*, and b*), total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, total antioxidant capacity, and 16 mineral elements were assessed. In addition to univariate comparisons, multivariate statistical approaches, including correlation analysis, principal component analysis, heat map analysis, and multiple regression analysis, were applied to reveal trait interrelationships and genotype differentiation. The results demonstrated significant genotype-dependent variation for all evaluated traits, indicating broad phenotypic diversity within the studied germplasm. Fruit weight ranged from 0.29 to 1.81 g, total phenolic content from 321.61 to 507.01 mg GAE 100 g⁻