Phenolic and mineral profiles of four Balkan indigenous apple cultivars monitored at two different maturity stages

Abstract

Some primary and secondary metabolites, as well as mineral nutrients in pulp, peel and juice obtained from four Serbian indigenous apple cultivars (Kozara, Kolacara, Budimka and.Sumatovka) collected at two different developmental stages were studied. With advanced maturation soluble solids content, total and reducing sugars increased, while L-ascorbic acid content and titratable acidity decreased. Thirteen phenolic compounds were quantified using LC-MS/MS. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 9.37 to 1440 mg/100 g fw, and 0.83 to 7.84 mg/100 g fw in peel and pulp samples, respectively. Quercetin derivatives were the major detected polyphenolic group. Majority of determined phenolic compounds were influenced by cultivar and the best sources were cultivars Kolgara and Budimka. The content of flavonols (with the exception of quercitrin) varied significantly depending on maturity at harvest. With regard to mineral analysis, K was the most abundant ranging from 104 to 158 mg/100 g fw in peel, 74.4 to 93.3 mg/100 g fw in pulp, and 77.1 to 91.5 mg/100 g fw in juice samples. Obtained results provide detailed information on nutritional potential and chemical composition of tested apple cultivars and thereby could encourage their wider cultivation and consumption