Effect of Sunlight Exposure on Anthocyanin and Non-Anthocyanin Phenolic Levels in Pomegranate Juices by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Approach

Abstract

Quali-quantitative analyses of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds performed with the use of liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry, were evaluated in juice of pomegranate fruits (‘Dente di Cavallo’), in relation to different light exposures (North, South, West and East). A total of 16 compounds were identified, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, and anthocyanins, known for their health-promoting effects. Striking differences were observed about the total phenolic content, which was high in juices from fruits with east- and north-facing position, while it was lower in juices facing south. The greatest contents of total flavonoids and anthocyanins were recorded in fruit juices with southern exposure; however, there are no great differences in the content in phenolic acids. Tannins were mainly synthesized in fruit juices with West exposure. The results showed that the position within the tree had no significant effects on color juice, however, it significantly (p < 0.05) affected data on fruit weight, soluble sugars and juice yield. Remarkable synergies existed among polyphenols and phytochemicals in pomegranate juice, but collecting fruits with different solar exposure could enhance different health benefits, i.e., the juices with higher polyphenols content could have more anticancer effect or those with higher tannins content could have more antimicrobial effect.

Anthocyanins from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and Their Role in Antioxidant Capacities in Vitro

“…Di Stefano et al. reported the effects of sun exposure on anthocyanin and non‐anthocyanin phenolic levels in pomegranate juices [31] . The results revealed that significantly higher anthocyanin content was found in juices with South and North exposure, while reduced concentration of flavonoids and phenolics in fruits exposed to sun radiation in South, East, and West positions.…”

“…The results revealed that significantly higher anthocyanin content was found in juices with South and North exposure, while reduced concentration of flavonoids and phenolics in fruits exposed to sun radiation in South, East, and West positions. Hence, the authors suggested that collecting fruits with different solar exposure could obtain different health benefits of fruit juice [31] …”

“…S1. On the whole, the variations of anthocyanins are extensive and induce both qualitative and quantitative changes in the pattern across different genotypes, [12,13] tissues, [14,23,24] extraction method, [25][26][27] abiotic conditions such as developmental stages, [9,11,28,29] climate changes, [11,28,30] sunlight exposure, [31] and saline conditions. [32] These factors, ranging from intrinsic genetic to various extrinsic environmental and their interactions, determine the anthocyanin accumulation among cultivars temporally and spatially.…”

Biological Activities of Plant Food Components: Implications in Human Health

“…This Special Issue addresses the biological activity of dietary phytochemicals, either purified [ 2 ] or in extracts from plant foods, and speculates on their potential effects on human health. The studied plant foods include edible parts (fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers) of plants common in the Mediterranean area, such as pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) [ 3 ], oregano ( Origanum vulgare) [ 4 ], and purslane ( Portulaca olearacea ) [ 5 ], but also of several tropical plants, including annona ( Annona cherymola ) [ 6 ], herba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ), guaranà ( Paullinia cupana ) [ 7 ], and ash gourd ( Benincasa hispida ) [ 8 ]. Bioactivity was studied in terms of radical scavenging and antioxidant [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 ], antimicrobial [ 10 ], and antiproliferative activity [ 4 ].…”

“…granatum) [3], oregano (Origanum vulgare) [4], and purslane (Portulaca olearacea) [5], but also of several tropical plants, including annona (Annona cherymola) [6], herba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), guaranà (Paullinia cupana) [7], and ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) [8]. Bioactivity was studied in terms of radical scavenging and antioxidant [5][6][7]9], antimicrobial [10], and antiproliferative activity [4].…”