title: Pomological Traits, Sensory Profile and Nutraceutical Properties of Nine Cultivars of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) Fruits Grown in Mediterranean Area.
abstract: In this paper the diversity of fruit quality within nine loquat cultivars, including five international affirmed cultivars (Algerie, Golden Nugget, Peluche, Bueno, El Buenet) and four local cultivars (Sanfilippara, Nespolone di Trabia, BRT20 and Claudia), were investigated in order to discriminate the variation in pomological characteristics, sensory profile, and antioxidant properties. Finally, to evaluate potential bioactivity, antiproliferative activity of hydrophilic extracts from loquat fruits was assessed, at dietary relevant concentrations, against three human epithelial cell lines. Even though the international cultivars confirmed an appropriate level of commercial qualities in association to high levels in antioxidant compounds, the local cultivars revealed the best performances in a wide range of chemical-physical and sensory characteristics. Concerning bioactivity, our results indicate that hydrophilic extracts from all tested cultivars showed concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity with a significant variability of effects between different cell lines and between different cultivars. HeLa cells, the most sensitive and hydrophilic extracts from Peluche, showed the highest inhibitory effect followed by Nespolone di Trabia and Claudia. The results of this trial provide useful information on the pomological traits and the not yet known specific nutritional and functional properties of loquat fruits. Our data, besides helping to promote specific local cultivars, could serve to establish a database that will permit to improve the utilization of specific genetic resources in breeding programs.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reig
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy. onofrio.corona@unipa.it.
authors.forename: O
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6432-7681
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todaro
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agrarie e Alimentari, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 5, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzaglia
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gianguzzi
authors.affiliation: Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agusti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Farina
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D031983:Eriobotrya / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D063427:Food Quality; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002338:Carotenoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Antioxidant activity; Antiproliferative activity; Carotenoids; Fruit quality; Phytochemicals; Polyphenols