Quantification of punicalagin in commercial preparations and pomegranate cultivars, by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Authors: MATHON, CAROLINE - University Of California; CHATER, JOHN - University Of California; GREEN, ANDREW - University Of California; MERHAUT, DONALD - University Of California; MAUK, PEGGY - University Of California; Preece, John; LARIVE, CYNTHIA - University Of California

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) – a delicious fruit once used in ayurvedic medicine, now is largely known for the antioxidant properties of the juice, which has also been considered to have health benefits against diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. These beneficial effects are associated with the fruit’s high content of polyphenolic compounds. Pomegranate’s trees are currently growing in temperate, subtropical and tropical areas around the world. High demand and lower production levels drive pomegranate prices up, which leads to the possibility of pomegranate products being adulterated, diluted or substituted. In order to ensure that consumers are purchasing pure and concentrated pomegranate juice, a simple method was developed to screen and quantify the specific punicalagins by mass spectrometry. The present method was used to analyze several pure and mixed drinks from the U.S. market, and also to quantify the punicalagins in the juice of 14 pomegranate cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) – a delicious fruit once used in ayurvedic medicine, now is largely known for the antioxidant properties of the juice, which has also been considered to have health benefits against diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. These beneficial effects are associated with the fruit’s high content of polyphenolic compounds. Pomegranate’s trees are currently growing in temperate, subtropical and tropical areas around the world. High demand and lower production levels drive pomegranate prices up, which leads to the possibility of pomegranate products being adulterated, diluted or substituted. In order to ensure that consumers are purchasing pure and concentrated pomegranate juice, a simple method was developed to screen and quantify the specific punicalagins by mass spectrometry. The present method was used to analyze several pure and mixed drinks from the U.S. market, and also to quantify the punicalagins in the juice of 14 pomegranate cultivars.