Iranian Pomegranate Research Articles

Shelf life and biochemical changes of ready-to-eat arils among nineteen Iranian pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.) during storage.

The objective of this study was to investigate the shelf life of arils and the changes in their biochemical compounds in nineteen Iranian pomegranate cultivars during storage. Fruits were harvested when commercially mature and the arils were removed, packaged and stored at 5 ± 1°C, at 85-90% relative humidity in a cold room. Samples of the stored arils were examined for biochemical features in temporal checkpoints throughout a storage period that lasted for 35days. By using the onset of decay as an index, the shelf life of arils varied among cultivars, ranging from 7days to approximately 21days. Considering the quality attributes of ready-to-eat arils at the beginning of the experiment, substantial variations were observed among the cultivars with regard to their titratable acidity (0.50-8.47%), total soluble solids (13-18.66°Brix), DPPH radical scavenging activity (63-87.44%), Gallic-acid-equivalent (2.64-6.95mg/ml) and ascorbic acid (12.21-75.09mg/l). In general, the decay of arils gradually increased during storage, but several cultivars-which exhibited a very slow process of decay-contained the highest content of titratable acidity, Gallic-acid-equivalent and total soluble solids (since the signs of decay appeared on around the twenty-first day of storage). In addition, titratable acidity increased slightly by the end of storage, whereas the ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids and Gallic-acid-equivalent were cultivar-dependent and did not show consistent patterns of change during storage.

Investigation of Iranian pomegranate cultivars for wound healing components.

One of the most important issues which medical science has been facing is wound healing for the tissue repair with the least complications. In this study, we aimed to isolate, purify and quantitate tannins and phenolic compounds from exocarp and pulp of fruits of Iranian pomegranate cultivars. Our findings demonstrate that the highest amount of tannin extracts from ethanol extract of the black peel exocarp was 201.76 ± 1.93. The highest amount of flavonoids from the ethanol extract of Sweet Alac exocarp was119.69 ± 1.02 as well as antioxidant compounds activity in the exocarp and pulp showed that the highest activity is in the ethanol extract of the black peel was 95.65 ± 3.1. The total phenolic activity indicated that the Sour white peel ethanol extract has the highest phenolic activity 327.05 ± 863. Our data suggest that the ethanol extract of pomegranate exocarp has the higher amounts of tannins and flavonoids, compounds that are known to be beneficial for wound healing. Taken together, these data suggest that compounds isolated from Iranian pomegranate cultivars offer new options for managements of wound healing.

HPLC determination of Ursolic acid in flowers of an Iranian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivar

Ursolic acid (UA), is a major bioactive compound in several traditional medicinal plants including pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flower. This study presents the HPLC analysis of UA content in flowers of an Iranian pomegranate cultivar. The analytical method’s accuracy and the repeatability were satisfactory. The Linear ranges were 100-400 µg/ml for UA with a good correlation. On the average, the recovery rate of UA was 100%. Here, the extraction of UA from an Iranian pomegranate flower cultivar by employing an ultrasound-assisted extraction method was reported, and several extraction solvents were studied to improve extraction yield of UA. Remarkable quantities of UA were found in cultivar of pomegranate flower evaluated. Our results showed that Iranian pomegranate flower cv. Ghorj Tafti Torsh is a good source for extraction and isolation of UA.

Heritability and Combining Ability for Cold Hardiness from Partial Dialleles in Iranian Pomegranate Cultivars

The development of cultivars with broader climatic adaptation has recently become the objective of most fruit breeding programmers. Regarding the importance of genetic control of cold hardiness as an influential characteristic for pomegranate and lacking studies in this area, the genetic control of cold hardiness in pomegranate using a partial mating scheme was studied. Five parents, including ‘Rabab Post Ghermez Neyriz’, ‘Malas Yazdi’, ‘Poost Sefid Dezful’, ‘Malas Pishva Varamin’, and ‘Poost Nazok Torosh Abarkuh’ with different cold hardiness capability were screened following a cold hardiness test in the laboratory and an evaluation of cold injury after natural freezing events in the field. The five screened cultivars were crossed in half-diallel crossing scheme with a total of 10 crosses in the Spring of 2014. Cold hardiness of the parent cultivars and the F1 progenies were investigated using the electrolyte leakage (EL) method. Results showed that both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were statistically significant. The hardiest parent (‘Poost Nazok Torosh Abarkuh’) showed the largest positive GCA effect (1560.59) for winter survival, suggesting that this parent is capable to produce tolerant offspring with high breeding values in crossing programs. The significant SCA in this study suggests that specific crosses should be targeted to produce highly capable offspring. Cross between ‘Poost Nazok Torosh Abarkuh’ and ‘Malas Pishva Varamin’ showed high value for SCA (1661.74), indicating capability for production of tolerant offspring to the cold condition. Furthermore, high broad-sense heritability (0.70) and moderate narrow-sense heritability (0.45) for cold hardiness indicate that a reasonable progress could be made in improvement of this trait through conventional breeding.

Genetic variations of cold hardiness within Iranian ornamental pomegranates

Genetic variations of cold hardiness within Iranian ornamental pomegranates

Comparison of fruit quality characteristics and polyphenolic compounds in seven Iranian pomegranate cultivars

Comparison of fruit quality characteristics and polyphenolic compounds in seven Iranian pomegranate cultivars

Vermicompost leachate reduces some negative effects of salt stress in pomegranate

PurposeGrowth and productivity of plant crops are negatively affected by salt stress. Vermicompost leachate (VCL) has beneficial effects on plant growth in several different ways. This experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of VCL for raising the tolerance of pomegranate against salinity.MethodsA pot experiment was organized to analyze some physiological attributes and antioxidant activities of two Iranian pomegranate cultivars under different concentrations of NaCl with or without VCL.ResultsSalinity negatively affected the growth properties of pomegranate, while foliar spray of VCL-induced salt tolerance by reducing the accumulation of Na+ in the seedlings. Leaf area and shoot and root fresh and dry weight of VCL-treated pomegranate plants showed a significant increase regardless of whether the seedling growth was under non-saline or saline conditions. Chlorophyll loss and reduced photosynthesis efficiency caused by salinity were also ameliorated using VCL. Foliar application of VCL also improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes and caused a reduction in oxidative stress and electrolyte leakage.ConclusionsThese results suggested that VCL could alleviate the damage caused by salt stress in pomegranate by limiting the agglomeration of Na+ and amending the activities of antioxidant enzymes by which the efficiency of plant increases.

Phenolic compounds extraction from Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum) industrial waste applicable to pilot plant scale

Industrial pomegranate waste (IPW) derived from the commercial processing of about 0.35MMT fresh pomegranate is commonly disposed of at the Iranian landfills at a high cost and risk to environment. This paper describes a successful utilization of process condition optimization and modeling of the solvent extraction of phenolic compounds from IPW with preserved high antiradical and/or antioxidant activity. They are value added products with potential commercial application in food industries and preventive medicine due to their well-known beneficial health effects.Process conditions to maximize the total phenolic content (TPC), hydrolysable tannins (HT), total flavonoids (TF), radical scavenging activity (assessed as DPPH%) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were considered as optimal extraction conditions. HT as major constituents of TPC (about 50%) were also characterized and quantified by LC/MASS analysis.The optimum operating conditions were an ethanol concentration of 60%, a solvent to dry waste ratio of 30mL/g, the temperature of 46°C and the time of 6h, which were also successfully implemented in a pilot plant scale. The FRAP and the DPPH results correlated to the TPC and the HT, and were influenced mostly by the solvent to dry waste ratio, followed by the ethanol composition.Other objectives considered in the present study included reductions in the process steps and operating costs, the use of an environmental friendly extraction solvent and its recovery, and the minimization of waste.

Assessment of Genetic Variation within Commercial Iranian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivars, Using ISSR and SSR Markers

Pomegranate is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, and has been cultivated for thousands of years in this country. At this period due to selection of superior cultivars from nature or mutation emerged in these cultivars, and their vegetative propagation, substantial genetic variation has occurred within and among the cultivars. Thus, each cultivar may consist of different clones. According to this issue, diversity within four commercial cultivars of pomegranate was analyzed. Two molecular marker systems including ISSR and SSR were used to evaluate variability between 36 samples of four commercial cultivars. ISSR markers produced 114 amplification products, out of which 97 were polymorphic (83.23%). Mean resolving power was 2.96 for ISSR markers. 19 SSR molecular markers were used, 15 of which amplified polymorphic products, while the remaining ones monomorphic., The number of polymorphic alleles per locus ranged from two to four (average 3.6). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.04 to 0.92 and 0.14 to 0.62, respectively. In addition, mean polymorphic information content was 0.45 for SSR loci. Our results showed that commercial Iranian pomegranate have different clones. Therefore, ISSR and SSR markers can be a useful tools for detecting clones of each cultivar.

Evaluation of adaptability potentials in seven iranian pomegranate cultivars based on comparison of physiological characteristics and leaf minearl composition

Present study was carried out to compare leaf mineral composition and some physiological parameters in seven Iranian pomegranate cultivars for evaluation of their adaptability differences in Arsenjan region/Fars province/southern Iran and selecting probable more abiotic tolerant cultivars in this region. Uniform and healthy rooted plants of seven commercial pomegranate cultivars were purchased from a commercial nursery and planted in a completely randomized block design in an orchard site in Arsenjan region. After full establishment the orchard samples (fresh leaves) were taken and transferred to lab for analysis. Cultivars included: Malas Yousefkhani Saveh, Naderi Badroud, Malas Daneh Ghermez Yazd, Rabab Neiriz Fars, Shirin Shahvar Fars, Shirin Poust Daneh Ghermez and Zard Anar Arsenjan. Significant differences were found among studied pomegranate cultivars for concentrations of leaf potassium, calcium magnesium, sodium and Iron concentrations. Also parameters such as leaf total chlorophyll and carotenoids content, total sugars, relative water content and electrolyte leakage, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid concentration were significantly different in studied cultivars. ‘Zard Anar Arsenjan’, an indigenous cultivar of the region, and ‘Rabab Neiriz Fars’ were evaluated as probable more tolerant cultivars in comparison to other cultivars. This can be attributed to their more optimized leaf mineral composition and antioxidant statues.

Chilling and Heat Requirements of 20 Iranian Pomegranate Cultivars and Their Correlations with Geographical and Climatic Parameters, as well as Tree and Fruit Characteristics

Chilling and heat requirements can affect agroclimatic distribution, growing season, and the marketing period of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars in commercial production. This study was carried out to determine the chilling and heat requirements of 20 Iranian pomegranate cultivars/accessions, and to also examine the correlation of these features with tree and fruit characteristics, as well as geographic and climatic parameters of the original environment the plant materials came from. One-year-old stem cuttings from mature trees were used for measurements of chilling and heat requirements. The results showed a range of variation in chilling requirement among cultivars from 233 to 633 hours and heat requirement from 4096 to 7928 growing degree hour (GDH). Based on chill hours accumulated, cultivars including Bihaste Ravar, Bihaste Sangan Khash, and Anar Siah were categorized as very low chill (233–266 hours), whereas cultivars Poost Nazok Torosh Abarkuh, Malas Yazdi, Jangali Poost Ghermez Roodbar, Rabab Poost Ghermez Neyriz, and Makhmal Malas Shahreza were grouped as low chill (600–633 hours). Variation in seed hardness from 15 to 78 N was also recorded. Chilling requirement showed a moderate correlation with stomatal density, seed hardness, and wind speed (r = 0.42, 0.44, and −0.39, respectively), whereas stomatal density showed correlations of r = −0.34 and −0.57 with altitude and wind speed, respectively. We suggest taking chilling and heat requirements into account when selecting individual’s cultivars and/or accessions suitable for cultivation in different agroclimatic regions.

Improved Synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal, the Sex Pheromone of the Carob Moth Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) Ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

(Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal is a sex pheromone component emitted by virgin females of the Carob Moth Apomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) which is an important pest of Iranian pomegranate fruits. Chemical control of this pest is not possible and biological methods with pheromones are used. The synthesis of the major component of the sex pheromone was achieved in fewer steps and with lower cost than previously. (Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal was synthesised by four steps with 59% overall yield. The coupling of a conjugated dienynol intermediate from E-1,2-dichloroethylene with vinyl magnesium bromide was achieved in good yield and followed by reduction of dienynol with activated zinc in THF-H2O and oxidation gave the aldehyde of the sex pheromone.

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Properties and Bioactive Compounds of Some Iranian Pomegranate Cultivars

ABSTRACTPersia is one of the main origin centers of pomegranate; hence, a diverse germplasm has evolved in the area over the past centuries. This study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of fruits of ten Persian pomegranate cultivars. The plants used for this experiment had been collected from different parts of Iran and were established in a repository. Wide variations in the main properties of the ripe fruits of the cultivars were observed. The size, weight, skin thickness and weight, and juice content of the fruits were within the range of 55.14–71.76 mm, 98.55–199.40 g, 1.07–3.93 mm, 28.96–66.95 g, and 2.00–89.33 ml, respectively. Seed weight, Aril numbers, fresh and dry weight of 100 arils were 33.80–72.90 g, 170.70–570.30, 23.16–42.82 g, and 17.22–33.87%, respectively. The levels of total anthocyanin, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, total phenolics, electrical conductivity, and TSS/TA ratio were ranged between 5.91–180.70 mg/100 g, 9.35–13.93 °Brix, 0.16–2.28%, 7.15–1061 mg/100 ml, 3578–5108 mg/100 g, 2.51–4.93 dS/m, and 4.09–80.34, respectively. The results emphasized on the role of plant genotype on fruit taste parameters, bioactive compounds, and yield. The variations in the fruits indicated differences in nutritive quality, which may satisfy diverse consumer acceptance in different areas. Moreover, it provides great opportunities for improving crop yield and quality.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of five Iranian pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.) in maturation stage

The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of five different pomegranate cultivars. Fruit mass ranged from 109.27 to 78.07 g. Peel thickness of the fruit was recorded from 5.05 to 2.70 mm. The pH, total soluble solids content, the titratable acidity content were within the range of 4.23 to 4.36, 20.00 (◦Brix) to 14.05 (◦Brix), 0.04 to 0.007 mg per 100 g of juice, respectively. Ascorbic acid content was from 4.73 to 1.98 mg per 100 g of juice. The amount of total phenolics in pomegranate cultivars was between 6.36 and 1.78 mg GAE/100 ml. The total flavonoids content also ranged between 4.93 to 2.24 mg GAE/100 ml. The level of antioxidant activity was varied from 86.77 % to 79.54 %. Reducing sugar content ranged between 5.81 to 1.72 mg/100g. Glucose content was found from 3.48 to 1.14 mg/100g. In total based on these results, the cultivar is the main parameter which influences the physic-chemical properties and antioxidant activity in pomegranates.

Effects of NaCl salinity on some leaf nutrient concentrations, non-photochemical quenching and the efficiency of the PSII photochemistry of two Iranian pomegranate varieties under greenhouse and field conditions: Preliminary results

ABSTRACTThe present research was conducted to study the responses of ‘Malas–e–Saveh’ (M) and ‘Shishe–Kab’ (Sh) Iranian pomegranates to sodium chloride (NaCl) stress under greenhouse and field conditions. Treatments included waters electrical conductivity (EC = 1.5, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m−1 for greenhouse) and (EC = 1.05 as control, 4.61 and 7.46 dS m−1 for field studies). Interactive effects of salinity × variety indicated the highest chlorophyll and leaf potassium concentration, and the lowest leaf chloride and sodium in control under greenhouse study. Non-photochemical quenching, effective quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII reduced under the highest salinity level in field, however, basal quantum yield of non-photochemical processes in PSII increased in the highest salinity. Sodium and chloride increased with increased in salinity. Calcium, magnesium and iron significantly decreased with increased in salinity. It seems that there are differences between pomegranate cultivars and Malas-e-Saveh is more tolerant compared with Shishe Kab.

Phenotypic characterization and relatedness among some Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) accessions

Key message The studied pomegranate accessions showed great pomological variations which some of them are suitable to be used for cultivation and also for breeding programs.

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Juices from Ten Iranian Pomegranate Cultivars Depend on Extraction

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of ten juices from arils and whole pomegranate cultivars grown in Iran were studied. Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of juices from whole pomegranate fruit were significantly higher than juices from pomegranate arils, but the variety has a greater influence than the processing method. The main phenolics in the studied juices were punicalagin A (5.40–285 mg/L), punicalagin B (25.9–884 mg/L), and ellagic acid (17.4–928 mg/L). The major and minor anthocyanins of cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside (0.7–94.7 mg/L), followed by cyanidin 3-glucoside (0.5–52.5 mg/L), pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside + delphinidin 3-glucoside (0–10.3 mg/L), delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside (0–7.68 mg/L), pelargonidin 3-glucoside (0–9.40 mg/L), and cyanidin-pentoside (0–1.13 mg/L) were identified; the latter anthocyanin as well as cyanidin-pentoside-hexoside and delphinidin-pentoside were detected for the first time in Iranian pomegranates. The total phenolic contents were in the range of 220–2931 mg/100 mL. The results indicate that the pomegranate phenolics are not only influenced by extraction method but also—and even more—affected by the cultivar. Moreover, a good correlation was observed between total phenolic content and ABTS and FRAP methods in all pomegranate juices (>0.90). The results of current research can help to select the pomegranate cultivars for commercial juice production.

Studying seed and oil physicochemical characteristics of four Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties

Studying seed and oil physicochemical characteristics of four Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties

Comparing Different Cultivars of Iranian Pomegranate by the Amount of Epicatechin and Epigallocatechin Gallate

Aims: The pomegranate, Punica granatum, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical region. Pomegranates contain a polyphenols such as gallic acid, ellagitannins, gallotannins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acids, and catechin and anthocyanins. The term catechin is also commonly used to refer to the related family of flavonoids and the subgroup flavan-3-ols. In this study we want to compare the amount of catechin in different cultivars of Iranian pomegranate. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Horticulture and Department of Food science and technology, Khorasgan (Isfahan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran, between march 2010 and November 2012. Methodology: We gathered the fruit of Iranian pomegranate cultivars in order to make them dry in freeze dryer (w028, Germany). All of the freeze dryer samples were grained and became a soft powder before analysis. 0.5 g sample, mixed with 25 ml of 80 percent ethanol-water solution, was kept in an ultrasonic bath to extract catechins (M. G. Miguel, Original Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(8): 1339-1345, 2014 134

Fruit growth and patterns of lignification in the seeds of four Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars

SummaryThe aim of this work was to study patterns of growth and of fibre aggregation in four cultivars of pomegranate (Punica granatum), ‘Torsh-e-Zabol’ (TZ), ‘Malas-e-Yazdi’ (MY), ‘Zagh-e-Yazdi’ (ZY), and ‘Bihast-e-Dane Sefid-e-Ravar’ (BDSR), classified as hard-, semi-hard-, semi-hard-, and soft-seeded genotypes, respectively. To investigate patterns of lignification and seed characteristics, fruit were sampled at nine developmental stages: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 105 d after fruit set (DAFS) and at harvest (156 DAFS). The results showed that the fruit growth curve for the cultivar BDSR was sigmoidal, while the other three cultivars showed some variation in their patterns of growth. Rapid increases in seed diameter and length were observed up to 28 DAFS in all cultivars, and these continued at a slower rate up to 56 DAFS. Measuring seeds with a high content of fibre showed that fibre formation and aggregation began in the seed coat during the early weeks of fruit development and continued for 56 DAFS. Among the four cultivars tested, TZ had the highest values for aril weight, seed fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), and woody index (i.e., the FW of the woody portion/seed FW), while BDSR had the lowest values of these parameters. The results of this study indicate that hard-seeded pomegranate cultivars with larger seed contained a higher percentage of fibre in their seed coat, whereas soft-seeded cultivars, such as BDSR, showed less fibre aggregation in their seed coat.