Nutritional composition of different cape gooseberry genotypes (Physalis peruviana L.) – a comparative study

Abstract

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a South American fruit with high nutrient content, pleasant taste and antioxidant properties. However, its consumption in some countries is underеvalued. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of two genotypes of Cape gooseberry fruit produced in Bulgaria (CG-F and CG-P) and to compare it with imported Colombian fruits (CG-C). The samples were assayed for size, diameter, moisture, ash, titratable acidity, pH, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, natural pigments, and mineral content. Bulgarian genotypes were smaller in size than the imported Colombian fruits. The protein content (2.54-1.88 g/100 g) was relatively higher in the imported variety, compared with the locally produced fruit. Carbohydrate content (10.23-14.13 g/100 g) slightly varied between the genotypes. The sweetness of the fruit was due to the main detected sugars – sucrose, glucose and fructose. CG-F and GC-C genotypes had similar sweetness indices, and fruit taste was evaluated as sweet-sour. Pectin content did not exceed 1.85%; the cellulose content varied between 4.29% and 6.64%. Moreover, all investigated fruit had a low lipid content (below 1.00%). The total chlorophyll and carotenoids levels were the highest in the local genotype CG-P (3.62 and 22.36 µg/g). Potassium was the predominant macro-element in all genotypes; there were numerical differences in the rest of the minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn), while the heavy metals, Pb, Cd and Cr, were generally absent. Cape gooseberry fruit of Bulgarian origin was evaluated as a low-calorie nutrient, compatible with the imported Colombian fruit.