Nutrients composition and antioxidant activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seeds from selected genotypes from India

Abstract

The present investigation of nutrients composition and antioxidant activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seeds from selected genotypes from India was conducted at ICAR-National Research Centre, Pomegranate at Solapur and College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. In this study, the selected pomegranate genotypes were screened for their nutrient composition and antioxidant activity. Based on the results, among the ten genotypes, significant differences were observed for all three macro/micronutrients. In this context, higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content were recorded in Jallore seedless (3.90%), Arata (0.55%) and Bhaga (1.17%) respectively. In case of secondary nutrients, the highest calcium, magnesium, and sulphur composition were noted in Arakta (0.2%), Solapur lal (0.27%) and G-37 (0.2%) respectively. In micronutrients such as boron, zinc, copper and iron the highest concentration were identified in Solapur lal (14.69 ppm), Wild pomegranate (44.50 ppm), Ganesh (17.70 ppm) and Bhagwa (100.98 ppm) respectively. The further investigation, observed that, higher total phenol content (113.30 mg GAE/100ml) was found in Ruby as compared to wild pomegranate (110.83 GAE/ 100 ml). In terms of antioxidant activity, Ruby genotypes (55.17 mg TE/ 100 ml) showed highest FRAP value and lowest was recorded in wild pomegranate (17.68 mg TE/100 ml). Based on the results concluded that, wide variability offers valuable scope for selecting genotypes with enhanced nutrient composition for nutritional improvement and to promote functional foods.