Morpho-pomological and chemical properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars in Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of five pomegranates fruit (Punica granatum L.) cultivars grown in Iran. Significant differences were found among the pomegranate cultivars for many of the properties studied. Results showed that, in particular, fruit diameter ranged from 63.63 mm (Syah) to 79.29 mm (Rabab), fruit volume from 153.3 cm3 (Syah) to 293.3 cm3 (Rabab), fruit density from 0.93 g cm-3 (Rabab) to 1.13 g cm-3 (Torsh Sefeed). Although Syah showed the lowest fruit weight (144.8 g), fruit yield (8.28 ton ha–1) and fruit skin thickness (1.55 mm), Rabab had the highest fruit yield (27.1 ton ha–1) and fruit skin thickness (2.32 mm). Juice volume was between 61.1 and 67.0 cm3. Percent of aril ranged from 59.64% (Rabab) to 75.3% (Syah) and weight of aril was between 108.9 and 199.8 g. Also, results indicated that titratable acidity content varied from 0.39% (Syah) to 1.13% (Torsh Sefeed). The total soluble solids content varied from 12.67 ◦Brix (Torsh Sefeed) to 15.67 ◦Brix (Zardeh Anar), pH values from 3.05 to 3.77, Electrical conductivity values from 2.8 to 3.14 dSm-1 and vitamin C content from 59.25 to 69.52 mg 100g1. The anthocyanins content was observed between 80.36 (Syah) and 216.97 (Zardeh Anar). The antioxidant activity of pomegranate cultivars ranged from 27.24% (Syah) to 84.04% (Torsh Sefeed). These results demonstrated that the cultivar was the major factor which influences the morpho-pomological and chemical (especially, antioxidant activity), properties in pomegranates.