title: Total phenols and antioxidant capacity in 10 Moroccan pomegranate varieties.
abstract: The study focused on characterizing the 10 major Moroccan cultivars to acknowledge the quality and bioactive compounds of the fruits. The following determinations were assessed: pomegranate fruit maturity index, which truly defines juice taste, as well as organic acids and sugar contents, total phenols, and antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice. The cultivar per se (genotype) behaved as the most influencing factor conditioning pomegranate sugar and organic acids profiles, antioxidant activity, and total phenolics. The assessment of pomegranate chemical compositions implies the great potential of Moroccan cultivars for both fresh market and fruit processing. In fact, the "Hamde" sour cv. seems particularly suitable for juice production because of its high phenolics content. Additionally, the presence of bioactive compounds in pomegranate juices may encourage their consumption for potential health benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cultivar per se (genotype) behaved as the most influencing factor conditioning pomegranate sugar and organic acids profiles, antioxidant activity, and total phenolics. Given the divergence observed on bioactive compounds concentrations and antioxidant activity among evaluated cultivars, the genotype factor should be considered as the most influencing factor in future breeding programs to enhance the synthesis of beneficial bioactive compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Microbiology, EPSO, University Miguel Hernández, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Legua
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Melgarejo
authors.forename: Haddioui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdelmajid
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Hmid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ilham
authors.forename: Hanine
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hafida
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hernández
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009018:Morocco; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D010636:Phenols