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BACKGROUND For health promotion and as part of natural plant protection, it might be of interest to increase the content of oleanolic acid ( OA) and ursolic acid ( UA) by biofortification in breeding programs, although the extent of the influence of genetic and environmental factors needs to be clarified. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cultivar, sun exposure, storage, bruising and fungal infection on the OA and UA content in apple peel. RESULTS Three apple cultivars with different ripening times - 'Discovery' (early), 'Aroma' (middle) and 'Gloster' (late) - were investigated. The content of OA and UA was mainly influenced by cultivar and side subjected to sun exposure, and to a minor extent by storage and seasonal year. 'Gloster' had the highest OA and UA content of the investigated cultivars. OA and UA content on the shaded side was higher than that on the sun-exposed side in all three cultivars. Inoculation with Penicillium expansum did not have any consistent effect on OA or UA, except in a few cases where the levels decreased. CONCLUSION OA and UA content can be increased by choice of cultivar in the breeding process and to some extent by cultural practice.© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]