Analysis of Ascorbic Acid, Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Contents of Parts from Selected Peach Cultivars

Abstract

Peaches (Prunus persica L. Batsch) are one of the commonly consumed fruits. Depending on the color of the flesh, peaches are typically classified into white and yellow varieties. To identify the differences in the content of the functional components according to the cultivar and its parts, the ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and carotenoid content were analyzed. The results showed that the content of ascorbic acid was higher in the peel than the flesh of the white peaches and there was no significant difference between the flesh and peel of yellow peaches (P>0.05). Anthocyanin analysis showed that cyanidin-3-glucoside was higher in the peel than the flesh in both yellow and white peaches. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside was detected only in the peel of yellow and white peaches. In the case of carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene were analyzed. All the carotenoid components showed a higher content in yellow peaches than white peaches. In particular, the content of β-carotene was the highest. The content of β-carotene was higher in the peel than the flesh in both yellow and white peaches, and a higher content was detected in the yellow peaches compared to the white peaches. The differences in content were found to be significant according to the cultivars as well as the farms and regions (P<0.05). Through this study, the content of functional components according to the cultivar and its parts was confirmed, and it is expected that this data will be widely used in the development of functional health foods through additional research.