Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of seven cultivars of guava (Psidium guajava) fruits

• Chemical composition of Psidium guajava cultivars assessed by LC–TOF-MS.
• Antioxidant activity was evaluated by ABTS and DPPH assays.
• Twenty-one compounds were identified.
• Ten compounds are reported for the first time in this fruit.
• Antioxidant activity and chemical profile differs depending on the cultivar.

The antioxidant activity and identification of phenolic compounds of seven edible guava (Psidium guajava) cultivars that varied in colour from white to pink were examined. In the DPPH assay all four pink-pulp guavas (Barbie Pink, Homestead, Sardina 1, Sardina 2) included in the study showed higher activity than the white pulp cultivars (Yen 2 and Sayla) and less than the red pulp guava cultivar (Thai Maroon). In the ABTS+ assay this trend was the same up to 20 min, but from 20 to 40 min Barbie Pink showed lower activity than the white guavas. Twenty-one compounds were characterised in the cultivars, and ten of them are reported for the first time in this fruit. Principle component analysis was performed to identify differences in chemistry among these cultivars. Our results suggest that the antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition of P.guajava vary significantly according to the cultivar and pulp colour.