Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes
The nutraceutical value of pomegranate in the treatment of many diseases is well-documented and is linked to its richness in phenolic compounds. This study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and genetic diversity of novel pomegranate genotypes (G1–G5) in comparison to leading commercial pomegranate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/2/389 |
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| author | Carmen Arlotta Valeria Toscano Claudia Genovese Pietro Calderaro Giuseppe Diego Puglia Salvatore Antonino Raccuia |
| author_facet | Carmen Arlotta Valeria Toscano Claudia Genovese Pietro Calderaro Giuseppe Diego Puglia Salvatore Antonino Raccuia |
| author_sort | Carmen Arlotta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The nutraceutical value of pomegranate in the treatment of many diseases is well-documented and is linked to its richness in phenolic compounds. This study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and genetic diversity of novel pomegranate genotypes (G1–G5) in comparison to leading commercial pomegranate varieties, i.e., ‘Wonderful’, ‘Primosole’, ‘Dente di Cavallo’ and ‘Valenciana’. Morphometric measurements were carried out on fruits, accompanied by chemical characterization (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrates and minerals) and the development of four new polymorphic SSR markers involved in the flavonoid pathway. The cultivars displayed a marked variability in the weight and shape of the fruits, as well as in the weight of the arils and juice yield. The highest level of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was found in ‘Wonderful’ and G4, while the lowest was in ‘Dente di Cavallo’. Furthermore, the results showed that pomegranate juice is an excellent source of minerals, especially potassium, which plays a key role in organ functioning. The new flavonoid-related markers effectively differentiated the cultivars with the same diversity pattern as morpho-chemical characterization, so the SSRs developed in the present study can be used as a rapid tool for the identification of pomegranate cultivars with relevant nutraceutical traits, such as the new genotypes investigated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:51:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf021e832fe3455ea50e9431bf9a02b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:51:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf021e832fe3455ea50e9431bf9a02b92023-11-23T14:51:13ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492022-01-0127238910.3390/molecules27020389Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate GenotypesCarmen Arlotta0Valeria Toscano1Claudia Genovese2Pietro Calderaro3Giuseppe Diego Puglia4Salvatore Antonino Raccuia5Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyInstitute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyInstitute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyInstitute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyInstitute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyInstitute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council (ISAFOM-CNR), 95128 Catania, ItalyThe nutraceutical value of pomegranate in the treatment of many diseases is well-documented and is linked to its richness in phenolic compounds. This study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and genetic diversity of novel pomegranate genotypes (G1–G5) in comparison to leading commercial pomegranate varieties, i.e., ‘Wonderful’, ‘Primosole’, ‘Dente di Cavallo’ and ‘Valenciana’. Morphometric measurements were carried out on fruits, accompanied by chemical characterization (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrates and minerals) and the development of four new polymorphic SSR markers involved in the flavonoid pathway. The cultivars displayed a marked variability in the weight and shape of the fruits, as well as in the weight of the arils and juice yield. The highest level of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was found in ‘Wonderful’ and G4, while the lowest was in ‘Dente di Cavallo’. Furthermore, the results showed that pomegranate juice is an excellent source of minerals, especially potassium, which plays a key role in organ functioning. The new flavonoid-related markers effectively differentiated the cultivars with the same diversity pattern as morpho-chemical characterization, so the SSRs developed in the present study can be used as a rapid tool for the identification of pomegranate cultivars with relevant nutraceutical traits, such as the new genotypes investigated.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/2/389<i>Punica granatum</i> L.bio-agronomic traitsgenetic markersantioxidant activitytotal phenolic contentcarbohydrates |
| spellingShingle | Carmen Arlotta Valeria Toscano Claudia Genovese Pietro Calderaro Giuseppe Diego Puglia Salvatore Antonino Raccuia Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes Molecules <i>Punica granatum</i> L. bio-agronomic traits genetic markers antioxidant activity total phenolic content carbohydrates |
| title | Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes |
| title_full | Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes |
| title_fullStr | Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes |
| title_short | Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes |
| title_sort | nutraceutical content and genetic diversity share a common pattern in new pomegranate genotypes |
| topic | <i>Punica granatum</i> L. bio-agronomic traits genetic markers antioxidant activity total phenolic content carbohydrates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/2/389 |
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