Antioxidant properties of peel and flesh in ‘GoldRush’ and ‘Fiorina’ scab‐resistant apple (Malus domestica) cultivars

Abstract

In the human diet, apples (Malus domestica) are the most consumed fruit worldwide throughout the whole year and are valued for their organoleptic characteristics (aroma, taste, and flavour). Apples are also an important source of phytochemicals, represented by flavonols, flavanols, cinnamic acid, dihydrochalcones, and anthocyanins, which have a known antioxidant activity that can prevent or reduce the insurgence of several chronic and degenerative diseases. These compounds have been found especially in the peel tissue. Apple orchards are often treated chemically against several diseases and particularly against the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis. This pathogen causes the growth of small and rough fruits (scab‐apples) with black circular lesions on the peel. New resistant genotypes to V. inaequalis have been obtained but until now they have covered restricted markets aimed at organic production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of two scab‐resistant cultivars ‘GoldRush’ and ‘Fiorina’, focusing on pomological traits, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total phenol (TP) content in the peel and flesh tissues of the fruit. These genotypes were compared with the well‐known cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’ clone B (scab‐susceptible). In all the tested cultivars, TAC and TP content were higher in the peel than the flesh. In particular, the highest TAC and TP values were found in the peel of the two scab‐resistant cultivars, ‘GoldRush’ and ‘Fiorina’, which showed interesting and valuable attributes.