Evaluation of physiochemical properties of different pomegranate cultivars in China

In order to select improved cultivars, the physiochemical properties, phenolics constituents and antioxidant capacity, of 14 pomegranate cultivars grown in China were evaluated. Most of the physiochemical properties among cultivars were significantly different. Fruit weight, total soluble solid, total titratable acidity, and total soluble solid/total titratable acidity ratio ranged from 255.24 to 493.12 g, from 13.50 to 16.50 °Brix, from 0.22 to 5.08%, and from 2.98 to 67.86, respectively. Total soluble sugar varied from 106.15 to 178.42 g L^‑1, vitamin C from 50.51 to 210.51 mg L^‑1. The concentrations of punicalagin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, total polyphenols and DPPH radial scavenging activity, were characterized within a cultivar as present in the peel>juice>seed, respectively. The fruit concentration of punicalagin, gallic acid, ellagic acid ranged from 2.25 to 156.24 mg g^‑1, from 0.21 to 21.08 mg g^‑1, and from 0.10 to 15.25 mg g^‑1, respectively. Total phenolic concentration varied from 258.12 to 319.69 mg GaE g^‑1 in peel, from 6.84 to 15.32 mg GaE g^‑1 in juice and from 3.01 to 6.84 mg GaE g^‑1 in seed. DPPH radial scavenging activity was 83.54-91.26% in peel, 57.25-71.24% in juice and 53.88-59.67% in seed. Total phenols were positively correlated with punicalagin, gallic acid, ellagic acid and DPPH. Principal component analysis revealed great differences in fruit physiochemical properties, phenolic constituents and antioxidant capacity among different pomegranate cultivars.