Antioxidant capacity and lipid characterization of six Georgia-grown pomegranate cultivars.

Six pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars were investigated for their antioxidant capacity and lipid profile. Total polyphenols were determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteau method. Major organic acids and phenolic compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Two in vitro antioxidant assays, ferric reducing antioxidant power and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, were used to assess antioxidant capacity. Total lipid was extracted according to the Folch method, and fatty acid methyl esters were determined by GC. Tocopherols and phospholipids were identified and quantified by NP-HPLC using a fluorescence detector for tocopherols and an evaporative light scattering detector for phospholipid analysis. Phytosterols were analyzed by GC. The predominant organic acid was citric acid followed by malic acid. The peel fraction had the highest total hydrolyzable tannins content (4792.3-6894.8 mg/100 g of FW). Overall, the highest antioxidant capacity was found in leaves followed by peel, pulp, and seed. Pomegranate seed had an average lipid content of 19.2% with punicic acid as the predominant fatty acid. Pomegranate seed had high contents of alpha-tocopherol (161.2-170.1 mg/100 g) and gamma-tocopherol (80.2-92.8 mg/100 g).