Effect of cultivar, maturation and processing on the chemical, functional and sensory properties of pomegranate fruit and juice

En años recientes, la granada (Punica granatum L.) ha adquirido una amplia aceptación debido a la creciente evidencia de que su consumo está asociado con propiedades beneficiosas para la salud. Durante la maduración y procesamiento del fruto se producen cambios significativos en las propiedades fisicoquímicas, compuestos fenólicos y actividad antioxidante. Estos cambios están influenciados por el cultivar, región de cultivo, técnicas de cultivo y etapas de maduración del fruto en la cosecha.In recent years, the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has acquired wide acceptance due to the growing evidence that consumption is associated with beneficial health properties. During fruit ripening and manufacturing there are significant changes in the physicochemical, phenolic compositions and antioxidant activity. These changes are influenced by cultivar, growing region, cultivation techniques and ripening stage of the fruit at harvest

Comparison of Fresh and Commercial Pomegranate Juices from Mollar de Elche Cultivar Grown under Conventional or Organic Farming Practices

Pomegranate juice has gained a high reputation for its health properties and consequently is now a highly demanded product. However, there is an interest in knowing if there are differences between conventional and organic agricultural practices. For that reason, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, punicalagin isomers and sensory analysis of pomegranate juices from Mollar de Elche cultivar were studied. A comparison between fresh and commercial pomegranate juice obtained by conventional and organic agricultural practices was conducted. The total phenolic content values ranged from 2285 to 2457 mg GAE L−1; however, there was no significant difference among conventional and organic juices. The antioxidant capacity evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among conventional and organic juices. The antioxidant capacity values ranged from 17.7 to 35.9 mmol Trolox L−1 for DPPH and from 5.09 to 27.9 mmol Trolox L-1 for ABTS. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among conventional and organic juices in punicalagin isomer, with the highest value found in conventional fresh pomegranate juice (0.48 g L−1). Descriptive sensory analysis showed that fresh pomegranate, fresh rind, earthy, vegetal, bitter, and astringent notes were higher in conventional fresh pomegranate juice. Cooked and mushroom notes predominated in conventional commercial pomegranate juice; while the organic juice was characterized by fresh pomegranate, fresh rind, earthy and sweet notes

Phytochemical characterization of different prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) cultivars and botanical parts: UHPLC-ESI-MSnmetabolomics profiles and their chemometric analysis

Prickly pear is an important source of bioactive compounds. However, a comprehensive characterization of the phytochemical profile of its aerial botanical parts, considering genotypic differences, has not been conducted. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition of four botanical parts (fruit pulp and skin, and young and adult cladodes) of six cultivars. Analysis was carried out by using two non-targeted UHPLC-ESI-MSnexperimental conditions and assisted with multivariate analysis to facilitate data interpretation. Up to 41 compounds, mainly (poly)phenolic molecules, were identified and quantified, 23 compounds being reported for the first time in Opuntia ficus-indica. Phenolic composition varied significantly depending on the part of the plant. Betalains were detected only in the fruit of a red cultivar. This study provided novel insights in terms of identification of bioactives and thorough characterization of botanical parts of prickly pears. This information may be used for the development of prickly pear-derived products with high levels of bioactive compounds

Identification and quantification of major derivatives of ellagic acid and antioxidant properties of thinning and ripe Spanish pomegranates

Major derivatives of ellagic acid and antioxidant properties of 9 Spanish pomegranate cultivars were studied at two development stages: thinning and ripening. A total of 35 major derivatives of ellagic acid were identified by LC-PDA–QTOF/MS and quantified by UPLCPDA methods; however, only 7 of them were found simultaneously in thinning and ripe fruits. The total content of derivatives of ellagic acid was higher in thinning fruits (3521– 18,236 mg 100 g−1 dry matter, dm) than in ripe fruits (608–2905 mg 100 g−1 dm). Ripe fruits had lower values of the antioxidant activities than thinning fruits. In general, sour–sweet cultivars (PTO8 cultivar) had the highest value of derivatives of ellagic acid and antioxidant properties in pomegranates fruits. Experimental results clearly proved the potential of thinning pomegranate fruits for its use as supplement in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries