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Physicomechanical, phytochemical, volatile compounds and free radical scavenging properties of eight pomegranate cultivars and classification by principal component and cluster analyses

Olaniyi Amos Fawole (Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Umezuruike Linus Opara (Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa)

British Food Journal

ISSN: 0007-070X

Article publication date: 25 February 2014

561

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to characterize fruit properties of pomegranate cultivars grown in South Africa in order to provide information to assist in selecting cultivars for food and industrial purposes, as well as to optimize postharvest handling and processing.

Design/methodology/approach

The physical, textural and chemical properties as well as volatile profile and free radical scavenging capacity of eight cultivars (cvs “Acco”, “Arakta”, “Bhagwa”, “Ganesh”, “Herskawitz,” “Molla de Elche”, “Ruby”, and “Wonderful”) were quantified to demonstrate the diversity among the characters of the commercially grown cultivars.

Findings

Statistically significant differences were found between cultivars for most of the evaluated characters, primarily highlighting the genetic diversity among the cultivars. The classification of fruit cultivars based on quality traits (such as size, texture, colour, soluble solids, acidity, juiciness and phenolics) showed the great potential of the cultivars for processing and fresh market. The relationship among these quality traits was analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) resulting in the separation of the investigated cultivars into two groups (cluster 1=Ruby, Arakta and Ganesh; Class 2=Bhagwa, Acco and Herskawitz) and two ungrouped cultivars (Molla de Elche and Wonderful). Specific understanding about quality traits of each cultivar was established using the correlation coefficients obtained.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable fundamental information that can be useful for commercial and industrial purposes, as well as the development of optimal postharvest handling and processing parameters for the investigated South African grown pomegranate cultivars.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work is based on research supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation. The authors are grateful to Citrogold Ltd South Africa and Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) for their financial support and to Fan Olivier of Houdconstant Pack-house Porterville and Gerrit Nieuwoudt for assistance with fruit procurement.

Citation

Amos Fawole, O. and Linus Opara, U. (2014), "Physicomechanical, phytochemical, volatile compounds and free radical scavenging properties of eight pomegranate cultivars and classification by principal component and cluster analyses", British Food Journal, Vol. 116 No. 3, pp. 544-567. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-06-2012-0145

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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