Investigation of physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of twenty Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars

Pomegranate is one of the native fruits of Iran which contains high genetic resources, but there are insufficient information regarding properties of the fruit. The objective of the present study was to investigate the physcio-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of twenty pomegranate cultivars grown in Iran. This study showed that there were significant differences among the cultivars in all measured factors except the length/diameter ratio of fruit. The fruit weight, skin percentage, aril percentage and juice percentage were within the range of 196.89–315.28 g, 32.28–59.82%, 37.59–65% and 26.95–46.55%, respectively. The total soluble solids content varied from 11.37 (°Brix) to 15.07 (°Brix), pH values from 3.16 to 4.09, titratable acidity content from 0.33 g 100 g−1 to 2.44 g 100 g−1 and total sugars content from 13.23 g 100 g−1 to 21.72 g 100 g−1. The results also showed that the values of ascorbic acid ranged from 9.91 mg 100 g−1 to 20.92 mg 100 g−1. The total anthocyanins content was observed in pomegranate cultivars between 5.56  mg 100 g−1 and 30.11 mg 100 g−1. The level of total phenolics was varied from 295.79 mg 100 g−1 to 985.37 mg 100 g−1. The antioxidant activity of pomegranate cultivars was found between 15.59 and 40.72%. These data demonstrated that the cultivar was the main parameter which influences the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity in pomegranates.

Research highlights▶ Investigation of physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of twenty Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars. ▶ This study showed that there were significant differences among the cultivars in most measured factors (fruit weight, skin percentage, aril percentage and juice percentage, total soluble solids, pH, titarable acidity content, total sugars, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins content, total phenolics, antioxidant activity). ▶ Among the twenty cultivars studied, MY, MPS, SPSe, SPS KB and MS cultivars showed the highest content of total phenolics, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, total soluble solid and total sugars, which are suitable for fresh consumption and health benefits.