Abstract
While the properties of edible pomegranate varieties have been widely explored, there is little information on ornamental types. In this study, possible alternatives for the valorization of dwarf pomegranate fruits have been explored. The characterization of their hydromethanolic extract by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry evidenced the presence of high contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (a carbon-neutral feedstock for the production of fuels and other chemicals) and β- and γ-sitosterol stereoisomers. The microbicidal activity of the crude extract, both alone and in a conjugate complex with chitosan oligomers (COS), was investigated against three plant pathogenic microorganisms that cause significant losses in woody crops: Erwinia amylovora, E. vitivora, and Diplodia seriata. In in vitro assays, a strong synergistic behavior was found after conjugation of the bioactive constituents of the fruit extract with COS, resulting in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 750 and 375 μg·mL−1 against E. amylovora and E. vitivora, respectively, and an EC90 value of 993 μg·mL−1 against D. seriata. Hence, extracts from the non-edible fruits of this Punicaceae may hold promise as a source of high value-added phytochemicals or as environmentally friendly agrochemicals.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.), of the Lythraceae family, is a shrub native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean but is widely cultivated in warm-temperate regions around the world
The moisture content (5.67%) was intermediate between those previously reported for pomegranate peel (13.7%) [26] and pomegranate seeds (5.82% according to Rowayshed et al [26], and 6.84% according to Abiola et al [27])
The calorific value derived from elemental analysis data (17.1 kJ·g−1 ) was higher than that reported for pomegranate peel (15.2 kJ·g−1 ) [28], but would still not meet the requirements of ISO 17225–2:2014 [29]/ENplus [30] (HHV ≥ 18.82 kJ·g−1 ) for valorization as a fuel
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.), of the Lythraceae family, is a shrub native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean but is widely cultivated in warm-temperate regions around the world. Nana Pers., and Punica nana L.) is a natural variant of the species. Even though it has sometimes been treated as the third species of Punica [2], in the work by Currò et al [3] on microsatellite loci for pomegranate, it was evidenced that it did not show unique allele patterns. This ornamental variety differs from the edible variety in its much smaller size, its lustrous, lanceolate leaves
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
