Physical Properties and Some Bioactive Compounds of Four Pomegranate Cultivars (Punica granatum L.) Grown in Egypt

The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of pomegranate cultivar on the physical properties and the distributionof bioactive compounds in the different parts of its fruits. Three traditional Egyptian cultivars namely, Edkawy, Manfaloty, and Sahrawy in addition to Wonderful from the recent introduced accessions. The results showed significant variations in the peels, arils and rinds percentage, length, diameter, volume of fruit and arils, calyx diameter and index, peel thickness and peel thickness index, colour measurements (L*, a*, b* and h) of the outer peel and arils among the fruits of the four cultivars. Also, significant differences in bioactive compounds (type and content) were noted among the cultivars and the different parts of the pomegranate fruit. Edkawy fruits had the highest content of bioactive components followed by Wonderful, Manfaloty and Sahrawy, respectively. Total phenolics and total tannins were located mainly in the fruit peels while total anthocyanins and total flavonoids are concentrated in fruit arils and juice.