Some physicochemical properties of wild and cultivated pomegranates (Punica granatum L.)

The fruits of seven wild grown pomegranate genotypes and well-known cultivar Hicaznar were analysed for several physical (fruit mass, shape index, calyx length, peel yield, peel thickness, aril yield and juice yield) and chemical (soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solid content/acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and total anthocyanin) properties. There were statistical differences within wild genotypes and also between wild genotypes and cv. Hicaznar in terms of most of the parameters. The average fruit mass ranged from 127-192 g among wild genotypes and cv. Hicaznar had 394 g fruit mass. The wild genotypes, in general, had lower aril and juice yields than cv. Hicaznar. However they have higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than cv. Hicaznar.