Phenotypic and bioactive diversity on medlar fruits (Mespilus germanica L.)

Abstract

Mespilus germanica, known as the medlar, is a large shrub or small tree. the fruit has been cultivated since Roman times, and is unusual in being available in winter, and in being eaten when bletted. in this study twelve medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) genotypes were harvested at commercial maturity stage (skin brownish, pulp white, fruit hard) from Rize provinces located eastern black sea region and were analyzed for their some important fruit phenotypic (fruit mass, shape index, fruit firmness, ostiole diameter and fruit flesh ratio) and bioactive characteristics (total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, vitamin C and phenolic compounds). A wide variation among genotypes on most of the searched parameters was found. Fruit mass and flesh ratio varied from 12.3 g (KRD-1) to 23.6 g (KRD-8) and 83.6 % (KRD-2) to 93.0 % (KRD-4) indicating high variability among genotypes. the total phenolic contents of twelve medlar genotypes varied from 157 to 227 mg gallic acid equivalent in 100 g fresh weight basis. Chlorogenic acid, rutin and p-coumaric acid were dominant in medlar fruits.