Comparative study of phenolics and antioxidant activity across different growth stages of citrus var. Tarocco, Moro and Vaniglia Sanguigno
摘要
The study of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in citrus fruits is of growing importance due to their significant health benefits, including their potential role in preventing oxidative stress-related diseases. This research aims to evaluate the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of three pigmented sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) varieties viz. Tarocco, Moro, and Vaniglia Sanguigno across various developmental stages. The current investigation utilized precise methods to analyse the presence and concentration of phenolics including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), specific flavanones and antioxidant activity in both the pulp and peel of the fruit across various stages of the development. The results showed that the maximum TPC and TFC content were recorded in the peel of variety Vaniglia Sanguigno at 90 and 150 days after fruit set (DAFS) respectively. This variety demonstrated the highest hesperidin content (7.93 mg g−1 DW). In contrast, peel of Moro at 90 DAFS exhibited the most pronounced DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl scavenging activity along with the highest naringin content. In contrast, the maximum total reducing power was observed in immature Tarocco peel. These results highlight the dynamic changes in phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential throughout fruit development, providing valuable insights into the optimization of harvesting strategies for maximizing the bioactive properties of these pigmented orange varieties.