Chemical and biochemical advantages of the 'Hicaznar' pomegranate variety over 'Katina' and 'Suruc' varieties grown in the same ecology

: Pomegranate cultivation has spread to various parts of the world. Pomegranate has been grown almost anywhere in the world, mostly in Iran, India, China, Turkey and the United States. ‘Hicaznar’, ‘Katina’ and ‘Suruç’ pomegranate varieties were used as materials in this study. Analyses of antioxidants, sugars, anthocyanins, organic acids, and colourless phenolic compounds in the juices of these fruits were performed by HPLC and DPPH methods. According to our findings, the highest antioxidant capacity was found in ‘Hicaznar’ variety (19.42 mmol trolox L –1 ). ‘Hicaznar’ variety had high sugar composition in terms of glucose, fructose, and total sugars while the sucrose content was high in ‘Suruç’ variety. For anthocyanin analysis, ‘Hicaznar’ variety contained higher levels of delfinidin-3.5-diglycoside, cyanidin-3.5-diglycoside, pelargonidin-3.5-diglycoside, cyanidin-3-glycoside, pelargonidin-3-glycoside, and cyanidin-pentoside than those of ‘Katina’ and ‘Suruç’ varieties. ‘Hicaznar’ variety also contained higher malic and L-ascorbic acid. ‘Hicaznar’ variety had colourless phenol content. The results show that; ‘Hicaznar’ variety contained higher quality parameters in respect to human health than those of other varieties grown under the same ecological conditions.