Organic acids, sugars, vitamin C content and some pomological characteristics of eleven hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) from Turkey

BACKGROUND: The Hawthorn (Crateagus sp.) mostly occurs around the temperate region of the world with a high number of species, producing a fruit with numerous beneficial effects for human health. The aim of the study was to determine organic acid and sugar contents in the fruit of a number of hawthorn species grown in Erzincan province of Turkey. RESULTS: Citric acid was the predominant organic acid in all hawthorn species and C. pseudoheterophylla had the highest citric acid content (23.688 g/100 g). There were not statistically significant differences among hawthorn species (except C. atrosanguinea Pojark) in terms of fumaric acid content. C. pontica C.Koch had a higher content of vitamin C (9.418 mg/100 g) compared to other species. Fructose was the predominant sugar component in all species and C. monogyna subsp. monogyna Joiq had the highest fructose content (18.378 g/100 g). CONCLUSIONS: The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source. The study revealed that there were differences in terms of fruit characteristics among hawthorn species and thus better quality hawthorn genotypes can be selected within the species. Hence, this study is considered to be a valuable reference for forthcoming studies. The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source

Organic acids, sugars, vitamin C content and some pomological characteristics of eleven hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) from Turkey

Background: The Hawthorn (Crateagus sp.) mostly occurs around the temperate region of the world with a high number of species, producing a fruit with numerous beneficial effects for human health. The aim of the study was to determine organic acid and sugar contents in the fruit of a number of hawthorn species grown in Erzincan province of Turkey. Results: Citric acid was the predominant organic acid in all hawthorn species and C. pseudoheterophylla had the highest citric acid content (23.688 g/100 g). There were not statistically significant differences among hawthorn species (except C. atrosanguinea Pojark) in terms of fumaric acid content. C.pontica C.Koch had a higher content of vitamin C (9.418 mg/100 g) compared to other species. Fructose was the predominant sugar component in all species and C. monogyna subsp. monogyna Joiq had the highest fructose content (18.378 g/100 g). Conclusions: The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source. The study revealed that there were differences in terms of fruit characteristics among hawthorn species and thus better quality hawthorn genotypes can be selected within the species. Hence, this study is considered to be a valuable reference for forthcoming studies. The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source

Cadmium toxicity affects chlorophyll a and b content, antioxidant enzyme activities and mineral nutrient accumulation in strawberry

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is well known as one of the most toxic metals affecting the environment and can severely restrict plant growth and development. In this study, Cd toxicities were studied in strawberry cv. Camarosa using pot experiment. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and mineral nutrient concentrations were investigated in both roots and leaves of strawberry plant after exposure Cd. RESULTS: Cd content in both roots and leaves was increased with the application of increasing concentrations of Cd. We found higher Cd concentration in roots rather than in leaves. Chlorophyll a and b was decreased in leaves but MDA significantly increased under increased Cd concentration treatments in both roots and leaves. SOD and CAT activities was also increased with the increase Cd concentrations. K, Mn and Mg concentrations were found higher in leaves than roots under Cd stress. In general, increased Cd treatments increased K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in both roots and leaves. Excessive Cd treatments reduced chlorophyll contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and changes in plant nutrition concentrations in both roots and leaves. CONCLUSION: The results presented in this work suggested that Cd treatments have negative effect on chlorophyll content and nearly decreased 30% of plant growth in strawberry. Strawberry roots accumulated higher Cd than leaves. We found that MDA and antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and APX) contents may have considered a good indicator in determining Cd tolerance in strawberry plant

Influence of pre-harvest gibberellic acid and post-harvest 1-methyl cyclopropane treatments on phenolic compounds, vitamin C and organic acid contents during the shelf life of strawberry fruits

In recent years, significant portions of the fresh fruits and vegetables produced worldwide have been decaying before reaching the consumer because of insufficient preservation after harvest. In this direction, we carried the study out to investigate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and 1-methyl cyclopropane (1-MCP) applications on phenolic compounds and organic acid contents of the strawberry fruits (cv. Albion) during shelf-life. Gibberellic acid treatments, which prepared in two different concentrations (50 and 100 ppm), were performed by spraying the leaves before harvest. 1-methyl cyclopropane applied after harvest. The results of the study showed a greater decrease in organic acids (except oxalic and succinic acid) in Gibberellic acid-applied fruits during shelf-life. Citric acid was recorded as the most abundant organic acid in the control group. In phenolic compounds, gallic acid (15.22 mg 100 g−1) and ellagic acid (9.38 mg 100 g−1) were recorded as the highest phenolic compounds on the third day. 1-MCP and GA3 (50 ppm) + 1-MCP treatment reduced the breakdown of vitamin C during the shelf-life of strawberry fruits compared to the control group. As a result, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, and organic acids decreased during the shelf-life, and 1-MCP applications slowed down the breakdown of these compounds. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Vitamins, Flavonoids, and Phenolic Acid Levels in Early- and Late-ripening Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars from Turkey

WOS: 000320681500004This study aimed at determination of vitamin (A, E, C, beta-carotene, and lycopene), phenolic, and flavonoid contents in apricots at different stages of ripening using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of ripening in terms of phytochemical contents was investigated. Early period apricots showed 2.5 to three times higher level of vitamins (A, E, C, and beta-carotene, and lycopene) in all types of apricots than others (P < 0.05). Early-ripened cultivar, Boccuia, showed the highest level of vitamins, although a higher level of vitamin C was measured in late-ripened cultivar Levent (P < 0.05). No lycopenes were determined in late-period apricots in contrary to early- and middle-period apricots. Levels of phenolics and flavonoids were measured in all types (3-B-Q-D, procyanidin B1, B2, B3, caffeic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, epigallocatechine, catechine, epictechine, chlorogenic acid, ferrulic acid, and routine) and statistical deviation of all types was noted (P < 0.05). Among all, the cultivar Ozal showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (45,843.00 mu g.g(-1) dry matter) in all ripening periods, where middle-ripened cultivar Adilcevaz showed the lowest level of p-coumaric acid (7.93 mu g.g(-1) dry matter content base)

Evaluation of European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) genotypes for agro-morphological, biochemical and bioactive characteristics in Turkey

The study evaluated some agro-morphological (fruit weight, fruit flesh ratio, fruit skin colour, number of fruits per raceme, number of racemes per bush), biochemical (vitamin C, soluble solids content, organic acids), and bioactive (total phenolics, total anthocyanins, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity) characteristics of the fruit of a number of selected European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) genotypes grown in the Sivas province of Turkey. To evaluate the antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were performed. The results showed genotype-specific differences in most of the agro-morphological, biochemical and bioactive characteristics. The range of fruit weight, number of fruits per raceme, and number of racemes per bush was between 0.67 and 0.82 g, 40.7 and 57.1, and 470 and 581, respectively. The highest vitamin C and soluble solids contents were found in the fruits of genotypes SIV-9 and SIV-6 as 39 mg per 100 g and 12.6%, respectively. Tartaric acid was the main organic acid in all the genotypes; it ranged from 120 to 144 mg per 100 g of fruit FW. Total phenolic, total anthocyanin and total flavonoid contents ranged from 621 to 987 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g, 15 to 51 mg cyanidin-3-rutinoside equivalents per 100 g, and 202 to 318 mg rutin equivalents per 100 g, respectively. Genotype SIV-10 had the highest antioxidant capacity (34.90 μmol Trolox per g, based on FRAP assays). The present study shows the potential of the evaluated European Cranberrybush genotypes for improving the nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes

Physico-Chemical and Antioxidant Characteristics in Fruits of Walnut (<i>Juglans regia L.</i>) Genotypes from Inner Anatolia

Walnut fruits are used for their nutrition properties for a long time in Anatolia, where seed propagated walnuts are naturally found, as solitary individuals or dense populations. Some relevant physico-chemical and antioxidant characteristics of fruits were determined for fifteen promising walnut (Juglans regia L.) selections (named 'G-1' to 'G-15') propagated from seeds. The well-known Turkish walnut cultivar 'Sebin' was included in the analysis as a standard in order to make comparison with seed propagated genotypes. The average fruit weight and kernel ratios ranged from 7.43 to 12.61 g and 45.10 to 57.83% among the studied genotypes, respectively. The chemical analyses showed that protein, crude oil, ash, carbohydrate and dietary fiber contents of the analyzed walnut genotypes were between 11.09-18.16%, 55.38-65.15%, 1.61-2.08%, 12.01-17.89% and 2.90-4.12%, respectively. Total phenolic content was found between 1,107-1,876 mg GAE/100 g among the genotypes and most of them had higher phenolic content compared with cv. 'Sebin'. The total tocopherols content ranged from 30.0 to 44.4 mg/100 g of the extracted oil. The most common tocopherol in all samples was γ-tocopherol. The results obtained in the hereby study indicated that the seed propagated walnut trees can be very diverse and their nuts have a good potential for valuable sources of phytochemicals

Role of Postharvest Oxalic Acid Treatment on Quality Properties, Phenolic Compounds, and Organic Acid Contents of Nectarine Fruits during Cold Storage

Due to the soft texture of the nectarine fruit, there are difficulties in long-term storage of this fruit. Therefore, it is of great importance to extend the postharvest storage period of this fruit species. In this study, the effect of postharvest OA (Oxalic acid) applications (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM) on the quality and biochemical contents of nectarine fruits was investigated. On the 40th day of storage, 1.5 mM OA doses reduced weight loss (1.96%) and fruit flesh firmness (36 N) by approximately 44% and 20%, respectively, compared to the control group. The most effective dose in reducing the respiratory rate was again 1.5 mM OA. The 1 mM OA dose was determined to prevent the decay rate approximately by 16% compared to the control group. Organic acid contents showed a continuous decreasing trend during storage and malic acid was determined to be the dominant acid in nectarine fruits. At the end of storage, it was determined that a 1.5 mM OA dose prevented the decrease in malic acid content approximately 35% more than the control group. Chlorogenic acid and rutin were detected at a higher rate than other phenolics. It was observed that 1.5 mM OA dose prevented the breakdown of chlorogenic acid and rutin compounds more so than other doses during storage. In this study, it was determined that a 1.5 mM OA dose especially protected the quality properties and biochemical contents of nectarine fruits in the cold storage more than the control group

Fruit Quality Properties of the Local Apple Varieties of Anatolia

The importance of biochemical content of fruits in human health and nutrition is understood more and more day by day. In this study, new local varieties were added to apple genetic resources and the correlation between biochemical contents and agro-morphological properties of fruits belonging to them was revealed. It was observed that the total phenolics amount varied between 20.13 (“Bag”) mg GAE kg−1 and 80.59 (“Yeşil”) mg GAE kg−1. The highest total antioxidant capacity was determined as 90.96% in “Yeşil” variety. Potassium (K) content, which is among the macronutrients, was determined as the highest value in “Bağ” variety (7993.31 mg kg−1) and in “Zuza” variety (7983.31 mg kg−1). It was determined that the Fe content (iron) varied between as 14.17 mg kg−1 (“Zuza”) and 5.75 mg kg−1 (“Bağ”) and was higher than other micronutrients. In the light of the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that fruits belonging to new local apple varieties are rich in biochemical contents and these varieties can be used as genetic resources in plant breeding studies

Phenolic compounds, bioactive content and antioxidant capacity of the fruits of mulberry (Morus spp.) germplasm in Turkey

The study was carried out in 2014 and 2015, and aimed to determine some important biochemical and antioxidant characteristics of the fruits of mulberry (Morus spp.) cultivars and genotypes found in Malatya (Turkey). Phenolic compounds (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, quercetin, gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, o-coumaric acid, phloridzin and ferulic acid), organic acids, sugars, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in sampled fruits. The results showed that most of the biochemical content and antioxidant capacities of the cultivars and genotypes were significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). Among the phenolic compounds, rutin (118.23 mg 100 g-1), gallic acid (36.85 mg 100 g-1), and chlorogenic acid (92.07 mg 100 g-1) were determined to have the highest values for most of the fruit samples. Malic acid and citric acid were dominant among the organic acids for all the cultivars and genotypes except 44-Nrk-05. Glucose was measured as a more abundant sugar than fructose and sucrose in all samples. Antioxidant capacity, on the other hand, varied between 6.17 and 21.13 μmol TE g-1 among the cultivars and genotypes analyzed