Biochemical contents of apple peel and flesh affect level of partial resistance to blue mold

Apple fruit contains a wide range of chemical compounds that may contribute to resistance against blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum. In the present study, contents of total titratable acidity, malic acid, total phenols and 10 individual phenolic compounds were quantified in peel and flesh fractions of both control and blue mold-inoculated fruits of 24 apple cultivars. In addition to the significant variation among cultivars in terms of all quantified compounds, correlation analysis revealed a significant impact of total phenols and individual phenols like flavonols and procyanidins B2 in the peel fraction, on blue mold resistance in the inoculated fruits. Multivariate analyses on data for chemical compounds in peel tissue of inoculated fruits, could also separate resistant and susceptible cultivars. These findings can be useful in breeding programs since higher levels of phenolic compounds may indicate better resistance in apple cultivars.