Organic acid, phenolic profile and antioxidant capacities of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars and selected genotypes

In this study, organic acid and phenolic compound contents and antioxidant capacities of some standard Turkish pomegranates and formerly selected 5 promising local pomegranate genotypes in Pervari region of Siirt Province (Gündoğdu, 2006) were determined. With respect to antioxidant capacities, the highest value (14.67 mmol TE L−1) was determined in Silifke aşısı pomegranate fruits among all examined cultivars and genotypes. Considering the organic acid contents of pomegranate juices, citric acid was identified to be the predominant organic acid and the highest value (2.1823 g L−1) was identified in 56PER19 genotype. No acetic acid content was identified in the examined cultivars and genotypes. In terms of phenolic compound contents, the highest value of gallic acid (6.361 g L−1) was identified in Çevlik pomegranate cultivar. The findings of study indicated that pomegranate cultivars and genotypes have important phytonutrients. Rather than the content of energy; the rich content of minerals, vitamins, organic acids and phenolic compounds make pomegranate an important source material for fruit processing industry.

► Some cultivars and selected pomegranate grown in different region of Turkey were studied.
► The pre-dominant organic acid in these pomegranate cultivars and genotypes were citric acid.
► The highest antioxidant capacities value (14.67 mmol TE L−1) was determined in Silifke aşısı cultivar.
► The study show that pomegranate cultivars and genotypes are important source material of phenolic compounds.