Abstract
Wildly grown in most regions of the world, Carissa edulis is a highly underutilised fruit with significant antioxidant characteristics. The phyto and physicochemical properties of C. edulis berries at different stages of ripening are evaluated in this work. Total flavonoids (TF), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically, while concentration of polyphenols was determined using liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Results showed that antioxidant activity was lowest (18.36 ± 0.12 mmol TE/g) in RS3 and decreased with TPC upon increased ripening. Conversely, TF increased with ripening progression with TF found to be highest in RS3 (5.92 ± 0.03 mg CE/g). Identified phenolic acids in C. edulis were quinic acid, protocatechuoyl-hexose, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid. Identified flavonoids included rutin, catechin, procyanidin dimer, procyanidin trimer, quercetin-3-O-glucosyl-xyloside, quercetin-3-O-robinobioside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-OH-3-methylglutaryl-glucoside. Physicochemical properties of C. edulis varied among samples with sugar/acid ratio of C. edulis ranging from 25.70 for RS1 to 50.36 for RS3. Ripening stage of C. edulis undoubtedly affects the phyto and physicochemical properties of C. edulis.
Highlights
Carissa edulis is a much branched spiny evergreen shrub or small tree, usually multi-stemmed, often scrambling up to 6 m tall and forming a dense canopy
Concentrations change in fruit samples is as a result of pigments which were always present in the fruit and becomes of total phenolic content (TPC) at the maturity stage RS1
Obtained results clearly demonstrate that the phenolic content, antioxidant and physicochemical properties of C. edulis fruits are affected by ripening stages
Summary
Carissa edulis is a much branched spiny evergreen shrub or small tree, usually multi-stemmed, often scrambling up to 6 m tall and forming a dense canopy. The plant is armed with rigid spines up to 70 mm long and nearly always simple, not forked as with other species [1]. Opposite, leathery, dark green above and paler below, while fruits are green, dark red and purple as ripening progresses. Ovoid, 6–11 mm in diameter, red to purplish black berries and two- to four-seeded (Figure 1). Carissa edulis is generally referred to as a berry due to its small nature, seedless/small seed and its ability to be eaten whole [3]
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