Comparative analysis of the biological components of pomegranate seed from different cultivars

Abstract

Three pomegranate clutivars (Tunisia soft seed, Taishanhong, and Qingpiruanzi) were used to evaluate their seed germination percentage, potential, germination time, and shoot growth indices along with antioxidant capacity, bioactive components (i.e., oil, crude fat, soluble sugar, protein, total phenolic and flavonoid, and Vitamin C (VC) content, and mineral element contents of their seeds and sprouts). ‘Tunisia soft seed’ exhibited the highest germination percentage (86.33%) and potential (39.33%) while ‘Qingpiruanzi’ had the shortest germination time (15d) and lowest rate (23.33%).  Soluble sugar content of sprouts (16.93–25.81 mg/g) was 1–2-folds that of seeds (8.29–14.06 mg/g). The soluble protein content of seeds (102.05–161.37 mg/g) was 10-fold higher than that of sprouts (14.71–21.46 mg/g), while the VC content of sprout (29.11–32.83 mg/100g) was more than 10 times higher than that of seed (1.89–3.25 mg/100g).  Oil content of three varieties's seeds ranged from 164.44 to 183.52 mg/g. Pomegranate seed oil contains 14 fatty acids, the most abundant of which is punicic acid (71.85–77.78%). Pomegranate seeds and sprouts are also rich in mineral elements (calcium 99.49–238.25 mg/100g) and magnesium (97.41–187.59 mg/100g). Total phenols (14.68–16.29 mg/g) and flavonoids  (1.97–2.48 mg/g) content in sprouts were significantly higher than that of seeds (3.88–4.96 and 0.51–0.68 mg/g). Antioxidant capacity detected by ABTS and DPPH, FRAP assay was positively associated with total phenolic (ABTS: r = 0.946, DPPH: r = 0.977, FRAP: r = 0.985). These preliminary results were essential to investigate the possibilities of commercial natural health food utilization of pomegranate products in China.