Studies on Physico-chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Wild Pomegranate Fruits in Different Locations of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Studies were carried out on physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of wild pomegranate fruits found in hilly slopes of Himachal Pradesh. Among physical parameters, fruit size and weight were found to be highest in Basantpur location. The visual colour of mature fruits from all the locations was found to be yellowish green, whereas, the colour of arils was observed as red in all the locations with slight variations in the intensity. TSS, sugars and anthocyanins content was found higher in Karsog location, whereas acid content and ascorbic acid content were found higher in Darlaghat and Basantpur locations, respectively. The DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activity, FRAP (Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power) and reducing power were recorded highest in Karsog location whereas metal chelating activity was slightly higher in Basantpur location than Karsog location.