Assessment of Minerals, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Ten Moroccan Pomegranate Cultivars

Sarah Loukhmas,Ebrahim Kerak,Hasnaâ Harrak,Meriem Outaki,Majdouline Belaqziz,Jorge Barros Vel Zquez

doi:10.1155/2020/8844538

Abstract

The attractiveness of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is increasing worldwide among producers and consumers. Depending on its characteristics, the pomegranate may be intended for fresh consumption, for industrial processing, or for medical purposes. This study aims to assess the variability in terms of mineral content and biochemical properties of ten selected pomegranate cultivars grown in the center of Morocco to better know their fruit potential. Mineral composition, organic acids, total polyphenols, anthocyanins content, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were determined in pomegranate juices. Results showed significant differences between cultivars. The sour cultivar “Lhamdha” is rich in organic acids, gallagyl esters, and ellagitannins and showed high antioxidant activity. It could therefore be used as a source for nutraceutical substances. The cultivar “Sefri” of Lalla Takerkoust showed important content of mineral elements, especially iodine (I), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and silver (Ag). The cultivars “Sefri” of Ouled Abdellah, “Sefri” of Beni Meskine, “Lahmer,” and “Marrakchia” are suitable for production of fresh pomegranate juice with high potential of health benefits. In fact, they are rich in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and oxalic and ascorbic acids and they presented high antioxidant activity. While the cultivars “Sefri” of Sour Laaz, “Sefri” of Tmassine, “Sefri” of Sidi Abdellah, and “Bzeq Tir” could be intended for fresh fruit consumption. Cluster analysis has revealed the divergence of cultivars with the same appellation “Sefri” confirming the problem of homonymy or synonymy in the pomegranate cultivars appellation. This study clearly demonstrates the nutritional and functional potential of the studied cultivars and the importance of their valorisation, especially for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Highlights

Academic Editor: Jorge Barros Vel zquez e attractiveness of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is increasing worldwide among producers and consumers
This study has focused on cultivars of pomegranates not yet characterized, identified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests as terroir products. ese cultivars are belonging to the terroirs of Tmassine, Sidi Abdellah, Ain Lahjar and Sour Laaz [9], in addition to cultivars of Lalla Takerkoust and Beni Meskine regions known for their delicious fruits, and the cultivar “Sefri” of Ouled Abdellah, which is labeled as protected geographical indication [10]. e characterization analyses aim to assess the variability in terms of mineral content and biochemical properties of ten pomegranate cultivars so as to better know their fruit nutritional and functional potential
Ash content varied from 0.19% for “Sefri 6” to 0.39% for “Lhamdha.” ese results agreed with Al-Maiman and Ahmad [5] who found an ash content of 0.32% for full ripe pomegranate juice from Saudi Arabia. e results of mineral composition showed clearly that iodine (I) was the most abundant macroelement in pomegranate juice, followed by phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S). ese results were not in agreement with Eksi and Ozhamamc [16] and Alcaraz-Marmol et al [11] who found that potassium (K) was the main macroelement in pomegranate fruits for Turkish and Spanish cultivars, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Academic Editor: Jorge Barros Vel zquez e attractiveness of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is increasing worldwide among producers and consumers. E sour cultivar “Lhamdha” is rich in organic acids, gallagyl esters, and ellagitannins and showed high antioxidant activity It could be used as a source for nutraceutical substances. E cultivars “Sefri” of Ouled Abdellah, “Sefri” of Beni Meskine, “Lahmer,” and “Marrakchia” are suitable for production of fresh pomegranate juice with high potential of health benefits. They are rich in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and oxalic and ascorbic acids and they presented high antioxidant activity. E information generated will be useful in selecting the best pomegranate cultivars and determining their suitability for fresh fruit consumption, processing, producing nutraceutical substances and possibly contributing in their labelling as quality linked to origin

Methods

Results

Conclusion