Phenolic and Anthocyanin Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.)

Abstract

This study examined phenolics and anthocyanins present in Amber, Laird’s Large and Mulligan cultivars of tamarillo that were cultivated in Whangarei, Northland of New Zealand. Samples were further separated by their tissue types, peel and pulp. Using LC-MS/MS, twelve polyphenols were quantified and six (ellagic acid, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol-3-rutinoside and isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside) were detected for the first time in tamarillo. Mulligan cultivar showed the highest amounts of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds and the highest antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds were mostly synthesized from shikimic acid route, and chlorogenic acid dominated the profile regardless of cultivar and tissue types. Anthocyanin profile was dominated by delphinidin-3-rutinoside in pulp. Higher amounts of anthocyanins were detected in this study, which may be explained by favourable growth conditions (high light intensity and low temperature) for anthocyanin biosynthesis in New Zealand. Higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in peels than in pulps were found when assessed by Cupric Ion-Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) and Folin–Ciocalteu assays, and a positive correlation (r > 0.9, p ≤ 0.01) between the three assays was observed. Current findings endorse that tamarillo has a great bioactive potential to be developed further as a functional ingredient with considerable levels of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity.

Quantification of Carotenoids, α-Tocopherol, and Ascorbic Acid in Amber, Mulligan, and Laird’s Large Cultivars of New Zealand Tamarillos (Solanum betaceum Cav.)

“…Also, during the lipid peroxidation and inhibition of inflammation, a synergetic interaction between ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol has been reported [ 7 ]. High contents of vitamin C, α-tocopherol (from current study) and rutin (from another study [ 23 ]) have been observed in tamarillo, therefore, further research should be conducted to investigate synergetic effect of vitamin C-rutin and vitamin C-α-tocopherol in tamarillo.…”

“…Tamarillos are good sources of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as some minerals, carotenoids and anthocyanins [14,16,17]. Several studies have attempted to explore proximate compositions [16,18], sugars and organic acids [14,19], pigments [20][21][22], phenolics and anthocyanins [23], carotenoids [20,24,25], vitamins [16,26] and minerals [27] in tamarillos. These studies have focused on the pulp of the tamarillo, with exclusion of peels.…”

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“…cerasiforme 40 , Dioscorea alata 41, 42 , Litsea quinqueflora 43 , Solanum betaceum 44 , Morus spp. 45 and in other fruits and vegetables 46 .…”

The Protective Effect of Solanum betaceum Extract on Spermatozoa Vitality Exposed to Lead Acetate in Mice

“…The addition of antioxidants can inhibit lipid peroxidation reactions (Ayala et al, 2014). Solanum betaceum is a fruit that contains quite high natural antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, carotenoids, tannins, and saponins (Diep et al, 2020;Khaerunnisa et al, 2019). High antioxidants can reduce lead-induced oxidative stress in experimental animals (Wang et al, 2013).…”