Comparative analysis and physio-biochemical screening of an ex-situ fig (Ficus carica L.) collection

Abstract

Fig (Ficus carica L.) is an important natural source of bioactive compounds in the health-promoting Mediterranean diet. However, there are no established studies investigating antioxidant compounds and their variability in figs grown in Moroccan orchards based on biochemical attributes. In this study, 135 local fig clones and foreign varieties were screened for their total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, soluble sugars, titrable acidity, total soluble solids, and skin color (L*, c*, and hue°). Radical scavenging activity was determined using DPPH, ABTS, and β-carotene blanching tests. All analyses revealed significant variations among genotypes. High concentrations of total phenolics and anthocyanins were found in dark figs that showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Total anthocyanins ranged from 0.41 to 57.47 mg cy-3-rutinoside/100gdw, which is likey the major contributor to radical scavenging activity (RSA), particularly using the DPPH method (r = 0.342**). Based on principal component analysis, skin color coordinates, total flavonoids, anthocyanins, and RSA using DPPH were the most discriminant variable explaining more than 31% of total variance. Unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic average cluster analysis was used to classify genotypes based on their biochemical attributes. Two major clusters were discriminated based particularly on skin color and antioxidant activity.