Research PaperPhenolic antioxidant profiles in the whole fruit, flesh and peel of apple cultivars grown in Lithuania

- HPLC-DAD-FRAP assay evaluate the content and reducing capacities of individual phenolic compounds.
- The comprehensive phenolic characterization by reducing activity of apples to date.
- The phenolic content and reducing activity vary based on cultivar and part of apple used.
- Procyanidins and chlorogenic acid could be markers of reducing activity in apples.

In this study total phenolic content (TPC), total ferric reducing antioxidant power, individual phenolics and their contributed antioxidant activity were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, FRAP and HPLC-DAD coupled to FRAP post-column assays in the whole fruit, flesh and peel of six Lithuanian grown apple cultivars. The greatest TPC and total antioxidant activity were determined in 'Aldas' and 'Auksis' cultivars. Significant amounts of flavonols were determined in peels, while flavan-3-ols in apple parts varied. (−)-Epicatechin, procyanidins B2, C1 and chlorogenic acid were predominant reducing compounds in whole apple fruits. Hyperoside, avicularin and quercitrin were significant reducing compounds in peels. The cultivars with highly expressed flavan-3-ol fraction could be used in preparation of highly antioxidant active natural products.

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