Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Nat'l Clonal Germplasm Rep - Tree Fruit & Nut Crops & Grapes » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335607
Title: Juice quality traits, potassium content, and 1H NMR derived metabolites of 14 pomegranate cultivars

Author
item CHATER, JOHN - University Of California
item MATHON, CAROLINE - University Of California
item LARIVE, CYNTHIA - University Of California
item MERHAUT, DONALD - University Of California
item TINOCO, LUZINEIDE - University Of California
item MAUK, PEGGY - University Of California
item Preece, John

Submitted to: Journal of Berry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2018
Publication Date: 6/18/2019
Citation: Chater, J.M., Mathon, C., Larive, C.K., Merhaut, D.J., Tinoco, L.W., Mauk, P.A., Preece, J.E. 2019. Juice quality traits, potassium content, and 1H NMR derived metabolites of 14 pomegranate cultivars. Journal of Berry Research. 9(2):209-225.

Interpretive Summary: BACKGROUND: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice is a highly-valued beverage that has been demonstrated to have large quantities of polyphenolic compounds with powerful antioxidant properties. Currently there is limited information related to other components of the juices of USDA germplasm. OBJECTIVE: Preselected pomegranate germplasm was evaluated to identify unique cultivars with consumer-friendly traits and to select candidates that meet or exceed juice quality parameters of ‘Wonderful’ juice. METHODS: Juices from 14 cultivars and commercial pomegranate juice were analyzed using a variety of methods. Juice quality was determined by measuring pH, titratable acidity, citrate, malate, total soluble solids, maturity index, glucose, fructose, '-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), antioxidant activity, total phenolics, potassium, glutamate, glutamine, and ethanol. RESULTS: Candidate cultivars meeting ‘Wonderful’ juice quality specifications and nutritional profile were identified as were candidates with desirable traits not seen in ‘Wonderful’. There were significant differences among cultivars in pH, titratable acidity, citrate, malate, total soluble solids, maturity index, glucose, fructose, GABA, potassium, glutamate, glutamine, and ethanol. There was no evidence for differences in antioxidant activity and total phenolics of juices among cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: Pomegranate cultivars other than ‘Wonderful’ could provide a broader palette of flavors for the consumer, but more research is needed to determine commercial potential of USDA germplasm.

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice is a highly-valued beverage that has been demonstrated to have large quantities of polyphenolic compounds with powerful antioxidant properties. Currently there is limited information related to other components of the juices of USDA germplasm. OBJECTIVE: Preselected pomegranate germplasm was evaluated to identify unique cultivars with consumer-friendly traits and to select candidates that meet or exceed juice quality parameters of ‘Wonderful’ juice. METHODS: Juices from 14 cultivars and commercial pomegranate juice were analyzed using a variety of methods. Juice quality was determined by measuring pH, titratable acidity, citrate, malate, total soluble solids, maturity index, glucose, fructose, '-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), antioxidant activity, total phenolics, potassium, glutamate, glutamine, and ethanol. RESULTS: Candidate cultivars meeting ‘Wonderful’ juice quality specifications and nutritional profile were identified as were candidates with desirable traits not seen in ‘Wonderful’. There were significant differences among cultivars in pH, titratable acidity, citrate, malate, total soluble solids, maturity index, glucose, fructose, GABA, potassium, glutamate, glutamine, and ethanol. There was no evidence for differences in antioxidant activity and total phenolics of juices among cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: Pomegranate cultivars other than ‘Wonderful’ could provide a broader palette of flavors for the consumer, but more research is needed to determine commercial potential of USDA germplasm.