Phytochemical and quality attributes of pomegranate fruits for juice consumption as affected by ripening stage and deficit irrigation. (24th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galindo, Alejandro; Calín‐Sánchez, Ángel; Collado‐González, Jacinta; Ondoño, Sara; Hernández, Francisca; Torrecillas, Arturo; Carbonell‐Barrachina, Ángel A
• Is Part Of: Journal of the science of food and agriculture. Volume 94:Number 11(2014:Aug. 30)
• Page Start: 2259
• Page End: 2265
• Publication Date: 2014-01-24
• Subjects: Food -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5142

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jsfa6551-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jsfa6551-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p id="jsfa6551-para-0001"> <bold>Pomegranate (PG) is a drought resistant crop, thriving well with scarce water resources. The non‐climateric character of PG remarks the importance of determining the optimum harvest time to improve quality and phytochemical properties of PG</bold>.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsfa6551-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="jsfa6551-para-0002"> <bold>The influence of two different irrigation treatments on physico‐chemical and phytochemical parameters of PG was assessed. Control trees (T0) were over irrigated (105% ETo). From the beginning of the second half of rapid fruit growth period to the last harvest, T1 plants were subjected to sustained deficit irrigation (33% ETo). Results indicated that T1 fruits exhibited a darker and more intense garnet colour than T0 fruits, but deficit irrigation led to a significant decrease in total fruit yield and number of total fruits per tree. T1 fruits showed similar bioactive quality than T0 fruits; however, T1 fruits advanced the optimal harvest time by about 7–8 days with respect to T0 fruits</bold>.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsfa6551-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p id="jsfa6551-para-0003"> <bold>Late‐pomegranate fruits were rich in phytochemicals and could be of great interest to the juice industry. Knowledge of these trends is important, especially to improve PG juice quality and to contribute to the sustainability of PG culture with respect to water, fertiliser and energy saving. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry</bold> </p> </sec> </abstract>