ANTHOCYANIN PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FRESHLY SQUEEZED POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) JUICES OF SICILIAN AND SPANISH PROVENANCES

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., Punicaceae) fruit is traditionally consumed in several countries, especially in Middle East, and has gained increasing popularity all over the world due to its assumed health benefits. Juices derived from the arils of the seeds were shown to be rich in anthocyanin glucosides, typically composed of cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin. The aim of the present study was the characterization of diverse Sicilian and Spanish pomegranate accessions regarding their anthocyanin and total polyphenol contents using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The anthocyanin profiles were determined by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, and color parameters were characterized using the CIELAB coordinates. Antioxidant activities were measured using a fluorimetric assay, and expressed as ORAC values. The anthocyanin and polyphenol contents were correlated with their antioxidant activities. Results obtained were correlated and evaluated for the identification of the most suitable accessions to be selected for cultivation, juice processing, and further breeding

Sustainable use of citrus waste as organic amendment in orange orchards

The use of citrus waste (peel, CW) as organic fertilizer was investigated on soil microbiota and on soil physico-chemical and hydraulic characteristics. The biotic components on CW and the effect on nutritional status, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit set and production of "Tarocco" orange trees were also identified. The citrus waste was supplied to an experimental orchard at different doses: 45 kg m(-2) (with and without Ca(OH)(2) addition) and 90 kg m(-2). The study was conducted in three consecutive years (2015-2017) on 20-year old orange trees at the experimental farm of the University of Catania (Italy). The main results of the study confirm that the use of CW as a biofertilizer offers a great opportunity for sustainable sweet orange production