Hovenia dulcis Thunb. pseudofruits as functional foods: Phytochemicals and bioactive properties in different maturity stages

- Hovenia dulcis pseudofruits at five different maturity stages were studied.
- Epi(gallochatechin) was the main phenolic compound in the most maturated state.
- C18:2 and C16:0 were the main polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, respectively.
- Hd01 and Hd02 showed antitumor activity and the best antimicrobial results.

Pseudofruits of Hovenia dulcis, at five different ripening stages, were evaluated in order to characterize their bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, tocopherols and fatty acids), and determine their biofunctionality (antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity). Epi(gallochatechin) was the main phenolic compound (24.7 mg/g, Hd05), α-tocopherol was the main isoform, increasing its content with the maturity process (5.43 mg/100 g, Hd04), C18:2 was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (35.5%, Hd04), while C16:0 was the predominant saturated fatty acids (38%, Hd01). The most immature stages (Hd01-Hd02) showed antitumor activity against all tested tumor cell lines, mainly against NCI-H460; also Hd01 and Hd02 presented the highest antimicrobial activity, mainly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This underutilized product demonstrated to be a rich source of phenolic compounds and tocopherols showing an interesting activity in immature stages (unfit for consumption in natura) and could be use as alternative bioactive ingredient for functional foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals.