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Study of pomological traits and physico-chemical quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes grown in Italy

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Abstract

Pomegranate is considered a functional food but several local accessions and cultivars are widespread in different countries. The characterization of local germoplasm allows to identify genotypes that possess the highest nutraceutical value compared to standard cultivars (cvs.) and that are well-adapted to local climatic conditions and could be used in the breeding programs. The aim of this study was the characterization of pomological and physico-chemical traits as well as antioxidant system in local pomegranate accessions (‘Mondrone Dolce’, ‘San Pietro’, ‘Granato’ and ‘Roce’), comparing to an Italian (‘Dente di Cavallo’) and international cvs. (‘Wonderful’). A high variability of the pomological traits resulted among the cultivars. ‘Wonderful’ showed the highest value of anthocyanins (554.99 ± 0.05 mg C3gE L−1), total phenols (1494.00 ± 116.20 mg GAE L−1) and antioxidant activity (EC50 values 21.21 ± 0.05 µL mL−1), whereas ‘Granato’ had the highest values among local accessions. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzymes activities varied with genotypes. Principal component analysis revealed great differences in all investigated parameters among pomegranate genotypes. ‘Mondrone Dolce’, ‘San Pietro’ and ‘Dente di Cavallo’ showed similar pomological and nutraceutical traits compared to ‘Granato’ and ‘Roce’. Conversely, ‘Wonderful’, due to its peculiar traits, revealed significant differences with respect to other genotypes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

    Giuseppina Adiletta, Loredana Liguori & Marisa Di Matteo

  2. CREA-Centre for Olive, Fruit Tree and Citrus, Via Torrino 3, 81100, Caserta, Italy

    Milena Petriccione

  3. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, Portici, NA, Italy

    Fabiana Pizzolongo & Raffaele Romano

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  1. Giuseppina Adiletta
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  2. Milena Petriccione
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Correspondence to Giuseppina Adiletta.

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Adiletta, G., Petriccione, M., Liguori, L. et al. Study of pomological traits and physico-chemical quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes grown in Italy. Eur Food Res Technol 244, 1427–1438 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3056-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3056-x

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